The development of craft beer "Craft Beer" can be called a modern American history
As defined by the Brewer Associattion, a brewery producing craft beer must meet the following principles:
Small: Up to 6 million barrels per year
Independence: No more than 25% of the equity of the non-brewery
Tradition: The main wine must be brewed through traditional or innovative brewing materials and fermentation methods.
The beer produced by these small independent brewers (Craft Brewer) is "Craft Beer", or "craft beer". Simply put, it is a high-quality, high-concentration beer brewed with a lot of good raw materials, with a variety of unique flavors!
The history of craft beer development can be divided into 4 stages:
Prosperity, Bankruptcy, Entrepreneurship, Revival
The first stage of wealth: 1873-1919
There are many countries in Europe with winemaking traditions, such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, etc. Since Columbus discovered the Americas, European immigration to the Americas has prevailed. Naturally, winemaking techniques have been brought to the United States, and various taverns have been opened. There are more than 4,000 wineries at their peak.
Phase II Bankruptcy Period: 1919-1945
At this stage, we have to mention the prevailing women's movement at the time. Alcohol was regarded as the source of violence and was opposed by the Puritans. With the promotion of the Republican Party and the prohibition group, the "Prohibition Act" was finally implemented. According to the law: "It is illegal to manufacture, sell or even transport beverages with an alcohol content of more than 0.5%.
During the implementation of Prohibition, taverns closed and breweries closed. Finally, in 1932, the last distillery went out of business.
Although the "Prohibition Act" was repealed in 1933, World War II broke out. War is a thing that burns money and food. Under the war system, barley is not allowed to be used to brew flavored beer to waste! Breweries use corn and other industrial beers to brew low-alcohol beer for social and military use.
The third stage of the entrepreneurial period: 1945-1978
Although World War II is over and the U.S. economy is recovering, the market has been flooded with cheap industrial beer, and flavored craft beer can only survive in the cracks.
The fourth stage of revival: 1979-present
In 1978, the U.S. government recognized the legalization of home-brewed beer. Since then, flavored craft beer has embarked on the fast track of development, and various craft breweries have sprung up.
Craft beer "Craft Beer" is like a whirlwind, blowing across the world at high speed.