Microbreweries: Why So Popular?

Microbreweries are very popular today, and there are many of them springing up throughout the nation.  There are many other countries that are getting in on the act. 

In order to be classified as a microbrewery, the company can only produce a limited amount of beer each year.  In the United States, the Brewers Association had a limit of 15,000 beer barrels for a company to be considered a microbrewery.  In January of 2011, they increased the amount to six million barrels for craft breweries.

Microbreweries are popular for a number of different reasons.  One reason is that people seem to like to support smaller, independent companies.  Another is that the beer is often much better tasting than those made from the larger companies.  The large companies produce so much beer that it becomes just a job instead of a passion, and that often comes through in the flavor.

What separates the smaller breweries is the time and love that they put into the beer they make.  You will also find a number different flavors, including exotic flavors that you won’t find when you buy something as commonplace as Budweiser or Coors.  Apricot, pumpkin, and apple are just a few of the different types of flavors that you can expect to find produced by a microbrewery.

The next time you head out to a liquor store or to a grocery store to pick up some beer, check to see what microbrewery options they stock.  You might be surprised to find that your new favorite beer comes from a small brewery that you’d never heard of before!