Craft Beer vs. Commercial Beer
Black Sheep Bottle Shop proudly stock the largest range of craft beers in Brisbane, with some of our more well known brands - Garage Project, Range Brewing & Moffat Beach Brewing Co. to name a few.
The primary differences between craft beer and commercial beer lie in their production scale, brewing methods, ingredients, and often the philosophy behind their creation. The distinction between craft beer and commercial beer follows similar principles to those found elsewhere but with some local nuances and specific industry trends. Here’s how these distinctions manifest in this competitive market.
Garage Project - N.Z
Craft Beer vs. Commercial Beer
Scale of Production
Craft Beer: Craft breweries are generally small, independent operations producing relatively limited quantities of beer. These breweries often produce fewer than 40 million litres per year.
Commercial Beer: Large-scale production is dominated by major corporations such as Carlton & United Breweries (owned by Asahi) and Lion (owned by Kirin). These breweries produce vast quantities of beer for both domestic and international markets.
Brewing Methods
Craft Beer: Local craft brewers are known for their innovative techniques and dedication to traditional brewing methods. They often focus on small-batch production, allowing for greater experimentation with flavours and styles.
Commercial Beer: Uses automated, large-scale brewing processes to ensure consistency and efficiency. These methods prioritise the mass production of popular beer styles that appeal to a wide audience.
Ingredients
Craft Beer: Craft brewers often prioritise high-quality, and locally-sourced ingredients. They may use unique Australian hops, native botanicals, and innovative adjuncts to create distinct regional flavours.
Commercial Beer: Relies on standard ingredients optimized for consistency and cost-effectiveness. The emphasis is on maintaining a uniform taste across large volumes of beer.
Philosophy
Craft Beer: Emphasises creativity, community engagement, and sustainability. Local craft brewers often have strong ties to their local communities and prioritize environmental responsibility.
Commercial Beer: Focuses on market share, brand recognition, and profitability.
Production Process
Craft Beer Production
Mashing: Locally-sourced grains, often malted barley, are mixed with hot water to convert starches into fermentable sugars (wort).
Boiling: The wort is boiled, and Australian hops or other unique ingredients are added to impart bitterness, flavour, and aroma.
Fermentation: The wort is cooled and transferred to fermentation vessels, where yeast is added. Fermentation conditions may vary to produce unique beer styles.
Conditioning: The beer is aged to develop flavours and carbonation, which can take several weeks or even months.
Packaging: The beer is often packaged in bottles, cans, or kegs, with many craft breweries opting for cans due to their sustainability and freshness-preserving qualities.
Range Brewing - Newstead, Brisbane
Commercial Beer Production
Mashing: Similar to craft brewing but on a much larger, highly automated scale.
Boiling: Uses standardized processes to ensure consistency. Adjuncts like rice or corn may be used to produce lighter beers.
Fermentation: Conducted in large fermentation tanks with precise control over conditions to ensure uniformity across batches.
Conditioning: Typically, shorter than craft beer, with advanced filtration and pasteurization to stabilize the product.
Packaging: Highly automated and involves rigorous quality control to ensure each unit meets the same standards.
XXXX Brewery - Milton, Brisbane
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Note: Black Sheep Bottle Shop stocks a range of craft beers from various local and regional breweries. Customers can expect to find a diverse selection that showcases the creativity and quality of Australia's craft beer scene. This includes unique styles and flavours that reflect the innovation and passion of small Australian breweries, often highlighting the use of local ingredients and sustainable practices.