In This Article
- Introduction to Microbreweries
- What Is a Microbrewery?
- How Microbreweries Operate
- Types of Beers Brewed at Microbreweries
- Where You’ll Find Microbreweries
- Microbrewery vs Nanobrewery
- The Culture of Microbrewing
- Why People Love Microbreweries
- Conclusion
Introduction to Microbreweries
Today, craft beer is everywhere. There are thousands of craft breweries in North America and thousands more globally. These come in all shapes and sizes. Larger brands like Lagunitas and New Belgium are everywhere, but some of the most interesting beer comes from smaller outfits. Microbreweries are smaller commercial breweries making some of the absolute best craft beer out there, and their unique offerings are a vital piece of the beer puzzle worth exploring.
Here’s everything you need to know about microbreweries:
What Is a Microbrewery?
The Official Definition
- U.S. Brewers Association’s definition: Any brewing operation that produces less than 15,000 barrels per year, but with 75% or more sold off-site. This differentiates a microbrewery from a brewpub, which would have more of its beer consumed onsite.
- This can vary: No one definition of a microbrewery can be applied to every state or country, as alcohol licenses and laws are distinct.
- Not the same as a “craft brewery”: These terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re technically different based on production volume and other elements of the business model.
- Microbrewery is a relatively new concept: The term was only coined in the past few decades, but this size of brewery was the standard for centuries, as pre-industrial breweries tended to be small and highly localized.
How Microbreweries Operate
- Small (but mighty) batches: These breweries have incredibly limited (some might call them “micro”) production volumes. Instead of trying to take over the world, their focus will be experimentation and quality.
- Independently owned: These are tiny businesses that are owned by either an individual or a small group of friends and family, so you know you’re buying local!
- They can be hard to find: Smaller craft breweries, or microbreweries, will have limited distribution. If they package beer, their cans or kegs will be sold in local bars and bottle shops within a small radius of the brewery.
Types of Beers Brewed at Microbreweries
- A wide range of styles on tap: IPAs, stouts, sours, lagers, etc., are all common styles produced by these smaller breweries. If it’s able to be fermented, there’s bound to be a microbrewery making it!
- Seasonal beers: One of the hallmarks of craft beer has always been seasonal beers like Oktoberfest lagers or Christmas ales, and microbreweries will make an annual tradition of brewing a batch.
- Experimental and one-off brews: Because microbreweries are more nimble than larger operations, they can make tiny batches of interesting and unique beers like stouts and wild ales.
Where You’ll Find Microbreweries
- Taprooms vs production-focused facilities: They’ll sell a good portion of their beer onsite if they operate a taproom or brewpub. If they’re focusing on production and packaging, then you’ll be able to find their suds at specialized outlets like wine shops or beer-specific retailers (i.e., a bottleshop).
- There’s a microbrewery in almost every city and town: 20 years ago, it was uncommon to find a brewery in most places. Today, even the small towns will have at least a brewpub serving local drinkers. That’s not to mention the major metro areas that will have numerous large craft breweries along with niche outfits (that would be defined as a microbrewery) serving up delicious suds.
- A key part of the local food and drink scene: Wine and spirits have always been integral to a city’s nightlife, but beer has taken center stage in most urban areas. Taprooms and beer bars are trendy spots serving up microbrews to hipsters and yuppies, and it’s now an expectation that any restaurant worth its salt will have decent beer on offer.
Microbrewery vs Nanobrewery
- Nanobrewery: It doesn’t seem feasible for there to be a category smaller than a microbrewery, but home-based (or pilot-scale) operations exist in most cities.
- Production size: These nanobreweries are defined as producing less than 15,000 barrels per year, with some classifications requiring a brewhouse capacity of 5 barrels or less.
- Business models and licensing differences: Like microbreweries or craft breweries, the definition will vary by state or country. In most places, a small brewpub will qualify as a nanobrewery.
The Culture of Microbrewing
- Community connection and local pride: It’s no coincidence that so much beer branding is steeped in iconography and humor tied to where it’s produced. It’s also common for brewers and their customers to share a connection and be more likely to interact than other business owners.
- Collaborations with other brewers: Brewers will get together with their neighbors or outfits from different parts of the country (or even the globe) to collaborate on recipes and do some co-branding to get their names out. They’ll admit that this is less of a commercial undertaking and more of an excuse to hang out, but there’s still value in trading knowledge and creating camaraderie over a few beers!
- Tap takeovers, festivals, and tasting events: Take a look at any local culture mag or website’s calendar, and you’ll find plenty of events and festivals put on by local breweries. Whether it’s a traditional Oktoberfest celebration or a beer release like 3 Floyds Dark Lord Day, these events are key to developing brands and creating loyal customers.
Why People Love Microbreweries
- Contribution to local economies: If you want to keep your dollars in your community, there’s no better way than supporting your local microbrewery because they definitely aren’t owned by some international conglomerate.
- Revitalization of neighborhoods and main streets: The frequent jokes about rent going up when a craft brewery opens in the neighborhood are tiring at this point, but there’s some truth to it. Underserved areas are often propped up when a business like a taproom opens up.
- Access to unique, small-batch beers: You’ll find something fresh at a microbrewery because they frequently rotate their offerings with one-off and niche beers.
Conclusion
Over the past few decades, the craft beer industry emerged from relative obscurity, becoming one of the most cherished and popular corners of drinking culture. So much of it is owed to the pioneering of microbreweries. With so much innovation and love put into these beverages, a microbrewery opening up down the street can open up a world of flavor and experiences. These businesses can also be invaluable to communities, so support them!
