The depth of flavour of craft beers compared to their traditional counterparts is what really differentiates the two different products. Craft breweries focus on developing unique and complex flavours, aromas to create a new quality of taste experience using high quality ingredients and innovative brewing techniques. Traditional industrial beers, through production constraints in their process lines, often have a more reproducible flavour profile. Additionally, their quality is lost through cheap agri-food substitutes used in the production of beer such as rice and corn, artificial textures or lack of sublime ingredients as in craft beers. While there is certainly a place for both craft beers and traditional industrial beers, many beer enthusiasts appreciate the depth of flavour and complexity of craft beers more.
Author:
Tomasz Zawadzki

When it comes to beer, taste is everything. And in recent years, craft beer has become a favourite of beer connoisseurs around the world. While traditional industrial beers may have dominated the market for many years, craft beers are rapidly gaining popularity due to their unique and complex taste. In this article, we will explore the depth of flavour of craft beers compared to traditional industrial beers.
Ingredients
One of the biggest differences between craft beers and traditional industrial beers are the ingredients used. Craft breweries often use high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, whereas industrial breweries use cheap ingredients such as corn or rice. This difference in ingredients can have a significant impact on the taste of the beer.
Flavours
Craft breweries focus on developing unique and complex flavours in their beers. They often experiment with different ingredients, hops and brewing techniques to create a wide range of flavours, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and sour beers. Industrial breweries, on the other hand, focus on producing consistent, predictable flavours. While some people may prefer the consistency of industrial beers, others appreciate the creativity and innovation of craft beer.
Aroma
The aroma of a beer can be just as important as the taste. Craft breweries pay particular attention to the aroma of their beer, often using a wide range of hops to create unique and complex flavours. Traditional industrial beers may have a more subdued aroma, less hops and fewer variations in the brewing process.
Taste perception
Another aspect of beer flavour is the mouthfeel, or the way a beer tastes in the mouth. Craft breweries often use a wide range of ingredients, such as oats or wheat, to achieve a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Industrial beers can be lighter and less substantial in the mouth.
Complexity
Perhaps the biggest difference between craft beers and traditional industrial beers is the level of flavour complexity. Craft beers often have a range of flavours that develop over time, with layers of different flavours that emerge as the beer is consumed. On the other hand, industrial beers may have a simpler flavour profile, with fewer layers of flavour.
In summary, the depth of flavour of craft beers compared to traditional industrial beers is a significant factor in their growing popularity. Craft breweries focus on developing the unique and complex flavours, aromas and mouthfeel using high quality ingredients and innovative brewing techniques. On the other hand, traditional industrial beers often have a more predictable flavour profile. While there is certainly a place for both craft beers and traditional industrial beers, many beer enthusiasts appreciate the depth of flavour and complexity of craft beers.