The world of craft beer has developed its own slang and vocabulary. With so many different types of beer being brewed, a quick guide towards clarity on some craft beer jargon will do you a world of good. Here are a few things that’ll make your journey a lot easier. Read on as we we take you through the craft beer terms every beer lover should know.
6 Craft Beer Terms
- Ale
- Lager
- Hops
- Malt
- Microbrewery
- Craft Beer
1. Ale
Ale came down through the ages to be universally accepted as a drink that is brewed without hops (a beer flavoring agent). Hops typically provide the bitter taste, and that’s why ales are usually on the sweeter side. English Pale Ale, American Amber Ale, and India Pale Ale are some examples of popular ales.
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2. Lager
Remember that epic conversation between Mike and Ross in F.R.I.E.N.D.S, where they decide to look up a dictionary to understand what a ‘lager’ means? We’ve finally got the answer for you! Lager is simply a kind of beer that is fermented and brewed in cold storage conditions – a detail that Ross and Mike didn’t bother to tell us. Like ales, lagers can be pale or dark. American Amber Lager and German Pilsner are a couple of lagers worth trying.
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3. Hops
We already slipped it in earlier that ‘hops’ is a beer flavoring agent. But, this term is so widely popular in the beer universe, that it deserves a dedicated explanation. Hops are essentially flowers derived from the plant Humulus Lupulus. The seeds of this flowery plant are the main reason for the peculiar bitterness that we all associate with beer.
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4. Malt
Another important element in the brewing process, malt lends the peculiar grainy taste that is so very intrinsic to craft beer. It is a result of barley being soaked and heated to become malted barley, or just simply – malt. The color of your craft beer also depends on how heavily or lightly the malt is roasted. The more it is roasted, the darker the color of the beer, and vice versa.
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5. Microbrewery
If you break the word down, you will realize that the meaning is not even close to as complicated as it sounds. Microbrewery simply means a brewery where beer is produced in restricted quantities. It’s important to note that microbreweries are interested in quality, rather than quantity.
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6. Craft Beer
So what is craft beer then? There is no one definition because it depends on the lens through which you’re trying to understand the term. From the place where it is brewed to the actual brewing process, to the nature of ingredients used, craft beer has many working definitions. In simple terms, craft beer is made in small quantities by microbreweries. Most breweries use high-quality hops, yeast, and malt to make such a beer. Not just the definition, but also the experience of drinking craft beer is very subjective, so we’ll just leave it at that.
Summing Up
There, you have it, we’ve covered the basic craft beer related terms every beer lover should know of. Next time you’re visiting a brewery with your friends, you’re not going to feel out of place. Feel free to flaunt your knowledge about craft beer, and hey, enjoy drinking!
FAQs
What Are Craft Beer Lovers Called?
Craft beer lovers are also called craft beer enthusiasts.
What Are Some Beer Tasting Key Words?
Some of the beer tasting key words are aromas, flavor, and mouthfeel.
What Is A Slang Term For Beer?
Wallops is another slang term for beer.
What Are The 4 Main Ingredients Of A Craft Beer?
Malt grain, hops, yeast, and water are the 4 main ingredients of a craft beer.
What Is A Female Beer Maker Called?
A female beer maker is called a brewess.
What Makes Craft Beer So Special?
The kind of flavoring agents like hops and other ingredients used for making craft beer are usually of high quality. This makes them taste better than regular beers, and so they’re considered special.
What Are The 4 Types Of Beer?
Ale, lager, stout, and porter are the 4 types of beer.
Which Is Indian Top 1 Beer?
Kingfisher is said to be India’s top 1 beer.
