Do the differences between craft beer and regular beer surprise you?

If you've ever entered into a discussion with someone who knows their beers, then you've probably fallen right into the pitfall of that age-old debate: just what is the difference between craft beer and regular beer, anyway? If you want to know the real differences between craft beer and regular beer, read on to find out more.

Production Differences
First, it's important to establish what it means when something is labeled as a "craft beer” and “regular beer.” The key lies in the production.

 A craft beer is a beer that contains only ingredients that are not intended to ensure that the recipe can be made en masse for a greater profit. These traditional ingredients include the basics: yeast, water, hops, malts and grains; they can also include anything that's intended to give flavor, such as spices, fruits or other flavor enhancing ingredients.

In other words: craft beer is short-run beer that is not intended to be made en masse in the same way as regular beer for major companies like Budweiser. “Regular beers” are bottled en masse in large breweries that cut their beers with ingredients that are designed to make it easier to create mass batches while also cutting costs and boosting profits. 

In short, craft beer is produced on a much smaller scale with only traditional beer ingredients; regular beer is produced en masse with the intention of cutting costs through the addition of inferior ingredients and other measures, such as adding more water and less grains.

Strength
Regular beer typically has an ABV of about 3-5%; this means they are fairly weak. Regular beers tend to have more water than craft beers, so they aren't as strong.

Craft beer, on the other hand, often has an ABV of about 7% and higher. Some craft beers even have more than 30% ABV!

Flavor
Taste is, of course, subjective. But there's no denying that the taste of craft beer and regular beer is different.

In this case, it all comes down to how the beer is made. Craft beer is made with only traditional quality ingredients, without extra water as filler or lower-cost ingredients that allow the company to save money when making massive batches of regular beer. 

Regular beer often tastes more watery and does not have a strong taste profile outside of tasting like a thin beer. Craft beer, on the other hand, will usually have a more robust flavor. You can also find many specialty craft beers that have unique flavors like chocolates, fruits and beyond. Regular beers tend to come in standard flavors, since they are made in corporate breweries that are concerned with the bottom line, not with creating unique beers. 

Conclusion
Craft beers are beers made with only traditional ingredients in smaller batches. Regular beers are beers made in corporate breweries, usually with non-traditional ingredients such as low quality grains and extra water in order for the company to boost their profits. When it comes to craft beer vs. regular beer, many beer aficionados prefer to at least try craft beers in order to expand their taste profiles to something a little more robust. 

Whether you enjoy drinking craft beers with unique flavor from a chilled beer glass or you are more satisfied with a Budweiser from a cold bottle, Pocono Brewery Company is the spot to quench your thirst any day of the week. Visit us Monday through Sunday and check out our hours here.