Craft Beer – Changing Perceptions To Beer

If you are resident in the UK, the chances are your perceptions of beer will be much different from drinkers living on the continent and America. Sadly, Britain's love affair with lager and other mass-produced beers has only helped to fuel the debate on 'binge drinking' which is increasingly becoming a topic of conversation in press and parliament alike. A new wave of beers which draw inspiration from the likes of the US and New Zealand however, could be about to change that as craft beer's growing popularity shows no signs of abating.

So, how exactly is the growing community of craft brewers changing people's perceptions of beer? For a start there's the draw of natural ingredients and the decision to move away from additives, flavourings and man-made preservatives which are commonly found in mainstream beers. A growing appreciation for 'organic' food stuffs as well as a focus on local produce has served many UK microbreweries well. Mass-produced beer brands are often brewed over seas and contain a variety of chemicals which doesn't sit well with the ethics favoured by today's consumers.

Despite craft breweries routinely creating beers that can range from 1.1% ABV right up to 51%, many supporters of craft beer would argue that higher strength brews actively discourage binge drinking. Alcohol content of beers sold in the UK averages at 4% and many supporters of craft beer argue that this, combined with cold serving temperatures, mild tastes and high levels of carbonation, encourage people to drink beer as if it were a soft drink. Craft beer, however, needn't be carbonated, can be served at room temperature and is brewed with an extremely wide range of ingredients including jasmine, chocolate, toffee, cranberries and coffee. Supporters of craft beer insist beer should be savoured for its aromas and flavours – similar to a fine wine – a certainly needn't be drunk in pint-sized volumes; especially if the beer is of a higher ABV.

Saturday nights up and down the country are unarguably plagued by the 'lager lout' – an individual who drinks to excess and subsequently engages in anti-social behaviour. Supporters of craft beer also think that their style of beer is the solution to this problem – by encouraging people to see beer as the subject of discussion and culinary exploration rather than a tool for unruly behaviour. Craft brewers argue that if people held beer in higher esteem, unsociable behaviour would no longer go hand-in-hand with this popular beverage.

Will craft beerand craft brewers succeed in their mission to change our perceptions and approaches to alcohol in the UK? Only time can tell. In the meantime, those who are passionate about craft beer continue to fight its corner.Will craft beerand craft brewers succeed in their mission to change our perceptions and approaches to alcohol in the UK? Only time can tell. In the meantime, those who are passionate about craft beer continue to fight its corner.