You have heard of Budweiser, Heineken, Carlsberg, and Guinness – what do they all have in common? Their globally recognized premium-quality beers, of course! These corporate giants have ruled the world of beer for years. That is until a new contender emerged – craft beers! 

What if you had a gorgeous glass of golden beer, freshly brewed with local ingredients and a unique, exquisite taste you have never had before? Do you feel tempted yet? It’s time for you to discover the tantalizing world of craft beer, which will definitely leave you pleasantly shocked by its variety. 

We are here to introduce you to the world of microbreweries and answer all your craft beer FAQs – from its rising popularity to its brewing methods and even tasting tips. This guide will solve all your common craft beer questions and may even turn you into a big fan. Then, you can check out our craft brewery, Little Miami Brewing Company, one of the best in Cincinnati!

Into the World of Craft Beer

What Exactly is Craft Beer?

Brewed by independent local breweries, craft beers are made in small batches, from locally sourced ingredients. The rapidly rising popularity of craft beers should come as no surprise, given the quality and diversity of the options offered by microbreweries. Craft breweries are primarily owned by the brewers themselves. Their involvement in the process of brewing is the main reason why the beers are of very high quality. These beers are indeed ‘crafted’ by the most passionate brewers, who do not hold back on experimenting with a wide range of flavors and styles. This is made possible by the variety of ingredients used, the brewing techniques, and the fermentation process. The packaging of the product also differs from mainstream beer companies, with a unique style and creative designs. 

A Brief History of Craft Beer 

The history of beer is long and tumultuous, dating back thousands of years, and surviving many limitations and prohibitions. This fermented beverage used to be produced on a small scale, often at home. Beers have come a long way since then, becoming a mass-produced beverage that has captured hearts across the globe. Despite that, small-scale beer brewing is becoming all the rage nowadays. Here is a peek into the history of craft beers.

Modern craft beer was born out of the microbrewery movement in the US during the 1960s, revolutionizing and redefining the beer industry. Craft beer’s popularity skyrocketed in the 90s, becoming a beloved alternative to the consistent but limited flavors of commercial beers. To challenge the well-established, mass-produced beers was not without its risks.

 However, the local breweries of the US had faith in the beer lovers and believed that they wanted more – better quality, newer ingredients, and unique flavors. And they were right! Today, the craft beer community continues to grow and thrive, with international recognition. Safe to say, the craft beer trend is here to stay!

Craft Beer: Frequently Asked Questions

Craft Beer vs Regular Beer: What’s the Difference?

We can all depend on commercial beers for that good ol’ classic taste. It’s a great way to relax after an intense day at work. But during a beer party? A weekend picnic with friends? You need something new, something adventurous, something fun and surprising. 

Craft beers, unlike regular beers, are produced in small batches, which allows local breweries to experiment with more styles and flavors. Flavor consistency is key for regular beers since they are produced on a larger scale and marketed towards a wider audience. Another noticeable difference is how the craft beer production is mostly community-oriented. Our craft brewery, Little Miami Brewing Company, is the best example! Our ever-changing lineup of brews is best experienced as a community – one where all beer lovers are welcome.

How to Store Craft Beer

Beer can go bad if it loses its freshness or if it’s stored incorrectly. So unless you are drinking a barrel-aged beer, don’t forget to drink it fresh. 

• If you want to save it for a relaxing evening, make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place, ideally in a cellar or a fridge. If the beer isn’t sealed right or if it was opened, it is best to consume it soon, as this can diminish the flavor. 
• If the beer is stored above 45° F, it might lose its flavor and aroma, leaving it flat and underwhelming.
• Freezing your beer is not a great idea either, as it might result in very flat beer due to loss of carbonation. Not to mention the fact that it might potentially explode!  
• And of course, do not forget to take a look at that expiration date!

What is the Perfect Glass for Your Craft Beer?

Yes, beers do have their own glass recommendations. Pale ales, IPAs and porters are usually served in pint glasses, which are straight with a tapering mouth. The Belgian ales, American IPAs and sour beers are served in the tulip glass. Bulbous in the middle and curved at the top, this glass is best to swirl the beer around, producing a substantial head and enhancing the aroma. Weizen glasses are used for serving wheat beers like hefeweizen. With a narrow bottom, they are slightly wider at the top. Belgian-style beers, stronger IPAs and fruit beers can be served in flute glasses. Their long and narrow body helps preserve the carbonation. 

A pro tip is to start pouring the beer with the glass at 45° angle,and tilt it back straight at a midway point. This produces a lot of froth and releases the aroma, elevating your beer experience. 

The ‘Craft’ of Brewing

How are Craft Beers Brewed?

Brewing craft beer is not very different from brewing regular beer, except for the fact that craft beer brewing usually uses more hands-on and traditional brewing methods. 

• In a process termed mashing, the barley malt is crushed and mixed with hot water to release the sugar. After filtering out the grains, the resulting liquid, called wort, is boiled with hops. 
• This wort is then cooled. 
• Later, yeast is added to kickstart fermentation. After a few taste tests and quality tests, a perfectly brewed craft beer is packaged and on its way to you.

With proper equipment and knowledge, you can brew craft beer too!

Key Ingredients to Craft Beer Brewing 

As always, beer brewing requires four basic ingredients – barley malt, hops, yeast and water. The barley can often be substituted by other grains like wheat, oats, or rye. The malt brings the sweetness to the beer and you can thank the hops for their signature bitterness. As mentioned earlier, craft beer brewers experiment with a variety of ingredients to come up with new styles, flavors, and feel of beer. 

Different kinds of malts, yeasts, and hops can be used to bring out different flavors and aromas. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, coriander, and nutmeg are used to enhance the taste. Fruits like citruses, berries, peaches, and pears are also no strangers to craft beers. At Little Miami, we use peaches, blackberries, cherries, and even jalapeños in our beers! And yes, they are as fun as it sounds!

Discover the Types of Craft Beers

A Guide to Popular Craft Beer Styles

Ales, Lagers, IPAs, and Stouts – the craft beer world has all this and more! If you are a craft beer newbie, you can even have discussions with your bartender about the styles you normally enjoy and they can help you choose a craft beer that you will savor the best. Some popular ones include:

• Ales: They use top-fermenting yeast and are fermented at higher temperatures. They are rich and complex, with fruity and spicy notes.
• Lagers: Usually a little hard to perfect, lagers use bottom-fermenting yeasts. They are fermented at lower temperatures and can be aged. These beers are known for their crisp and clean finish.
• IPAs: India Pale Ales have a higher amount of hops. Their bitterness is balanced by the sweetness of the malt.
• Stouts: Extra dark beers made from roasting malt, stouts are smooth and velvety.
• Porters: These beers are very similar to stouts – they are malty and roasty. Chocolate, coffee, and nuts are some common notes of this beer. 
• Sour Beers: Soured by a particular type of yeast, these beers are aged in barrels and take a long time to produce. They have fruity and earthy notes as well.

Wheat beers, fruit beers, and hybrid beers are also complex craft beers that use unique ingredients and brewing methods. 

Seasonal Craft Beers: To Keep You Company All Year

How to make the best out of the ever-changing seasons? With a perfect glass of beer, for sure! While craft beers can quench your thirst for a smooth evening on any day, choosing beers best suited for each season can elevate our seasonal experience. A refreshing beer with citrus notes on a summer can be nothing short of heaven. 

• Rich and dark beers with a warming finish, like porters and stouts, are perfect for winters. 
• Spiced beers with cloves and cinnamon are perfect to accompany the holiday cheer. 
• Ales like brown ales, spiced ales, and amber ales are great for fall. 
• As for beers like pumpkin ales and oktoberfest – the names themselves are a giveaway.  

If you haven’t tried all of them, how about having a beer-tasting party? Hint hint, Little Miami Brewing Company offers the best venue for all kinds of parties!

Expert Tasting Tips for Craft Beer 

Drink your beer like a pro 

Take in the appearance of the beer, its color, clarity and foam. Smell the beer and swirl it around to release the aromatics. This gives you a hint of the taste and help you get familiar with the beer before tasting it. Take a sip and let it linger on the tongue. Notice the different tasting notes at the beginning, middle and end. Be mindful of the proper serving temperature and don’t forget to choose the perfect glass for your beer. 

Beer & Food Pairings: A Match Made in Heaven

You can either complement the flavors of food with that of the beer, or you can go the opposite way, choosing contrasting flavors. Just make sure you don’t overwhelm one with the other. It is not recommended to pair light and delicate beers with rich and intense food. 

Some popular pairings include:

• IPAs and spicy foods like Mexican and Indian cuisine 
• Pale ales and pizzas 
• Porters and smoked or roasted meat
• Wheat beers with German foods, salads and seafood
• Stouts and chocolatey desserts
• Fruit beers with light meats and cheese
• Sour beers with juicy fruits and vegetables, egg dishes and salty meats 

At Little Miami, we offer you the best food for your beer choice – from salads and sandwiches to pizzas and pretzels. Check out our amazing taproom kitchen menu and monthly food specials!

Visiting Little Miami Brewing Company: All You Need to Know

At Little Miami Brewing Company, we are passionate about all things beer. Take a seat at our vibrant taproom and catch a game with your friends and family or dance to the tune of live music at night! Our brewery tours are fun and informative. Our choice in beers, unrivaled. Check out our beer collection if you need more convincing. And if you need a helping hand, just ask our excellent staff for a great rec! Find out all about upcoming events on our Instagram and Facebook. 

Imagine sipping our award-winning craft beer paired with our delectable array of foods on the scenic rooftop over the Little Miami River! And if that isn’t pure bliss…

It’s Time to Grab a Craft Beer

There is more to the story of craft beer than the range of tastes and flavors – it is reflected in the history and culture, the story of resilience, the power of experimentation and the passion for great beer. The thirst for something new is what made it great. Craft beer making should be deemed an art – it is creative and innovative, and it is indeed, a vision to behold. (We know beer enthusiasts would agree with us!) 
Find out more about craft beers, and get all your questions answered at Little Miami Brewing Company. Great beer, great food and great fun – that’s our promise to you!