Liters and liters of beer They are served (and consumed) every day in bars around the world. This alcoholic beverage composed of four ingredients (water, malt, hops and yeast) is the most consumed, after water and tea. And within this record a special window opens for the craft beer.
Considered an emblem of creativity and passion for its natural processes and ingredients, behind craft beer there are specialist hands dedicated to making it and innovating in it. flavors, aromas and textures. Like every year, the first Saturday in May is celebrated International Craft Brewers Dayin tribute to those who intervene in this drink as traditional as it is ancient.
This commemoration began in 1988 at the initiative of the American Homebrewers Association and emerged as a way to share with the public the experience of brewing beer at home, giving life to the Big Brew. What are they? These are events where beers are cooked live for tasting.
Over time, the event achieved an international impact, with producers from all over the world joining the celebration to promote a beer culture based on conscious consumption and appreciation for artisanal varieties. What are the secrets in making craft beer?
The revolution of craft beer In Argentina, identified as a growing phenomenon since 1994, it turned this drink into a symbol of innovation and culture. This industry, which began as a hobby for many, managed to foster a considerable number of microenterprises until it became consolidated.
According to a survey of the Chamber of Craft Brewers of Argentina (CCAA)there are some 2,500 craft beer factories that supply the strong demand driven by consumers looking for new quality flavors. So what is the mystery behind the foam?
For Martin Boan, master in brewing technology, chemical engineer and the first beer sommelier in Argentina, the secrets of craft beer are several. Which is it? In dialogue with Infobae details them: “Craft beer is made with natural ingredientsits secrets or most important aspects are in which the flavors and they express themselves in every sip. Each style of craft beer has its own identityhas essence and personality. There is no one equal to the other.”
According to Boan, who is also an international beer judge, “the key to a good craft beer is using good quality raw materialsthat the facilities are equipped with good technology, and that the entire process is supervised by professionals, who dedicate time and are attentive at every step.” “And above all, work on the details”Boan points out.
For Matías Halluchemical engineer, director of the food technology center at UTN Buenos Aires, plant manager at a distillery and advisor to microbreweries and microdistilleries, “The secret lies in the manufacturer’s philosophy, “Whoever starts making craft beer is because they want to achieve a product with a particular flavor, and knowing how it is made and what raw materials are used,” he explains in dialogue with Infobae.
And he adds: “The secret is that the focus is not on the cost of the product, but on the quality”.
Hallu maintains that “craft beer has generated a cult in recent years”. Among the factors that Hallu considers decisive in the boom of this alcoholic beverage, “one of the main ones was the offer of new beer styles for the consumer. If we go back ten years, there were very few people who talked about beers Indian Pale Ale (IPA) either Honey in Argentina. Today there are few people who do not know about these styles,” he says.
Marcelo Roggio, brewmaster and founder of Peñón del Águila, warns that there is not a single secret behind craft beer. Rather, he points out extremely important guidelines behind this ancient drink. “Craft beer has a lot of complexity and requires a lot of dedication, knowledge and precision“, Explain.
In addition to the voices of experts, in a recent research it was concluded that craft beers can provide health benefits, Like other superfoods, due to its variety and high content of phenolic compounds (PC).
Although the researchers warn that More studies are needed in this regard to strengthen the field of research, It was shown that beer can reduce the risk of osteoporosis due to its content of PC, bitter acids and also because it is a good source of silicon.
The study also refers to the benefits to prevent or combat various metabolic disordersthe neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular (due to the cardioprotective effect of PCs and ethanol) and Cancer prevention.
The craft brewers They play a fundamental role in the production of craft beer. They are, then, the true creators behind these unique drinks, with their own stamp.
This is the key piece of the process, which ranges from preparation, the meticulous selection of ingredients to traditional preparation methods and quality controls. His hands make the magic happen.
For Boan, what makes craft brewers stand out in their activity – and therefore, the beer also stands out – is “that it is methodicalstudious, who has a trained palatebe obsessive about cleanliness and detailed.”
Hallu explains that “the role of the brewmaster is vital because he is the one who defines the beer recipe and who control the process from the beginning until the beer reaches the consumer.”
Along these lines, Roggio distinguishes three essential pillars to be a good craft brewer. “Have the equipment, no matter how small it is; have the knowledge and the decision, the will, the passion of wanting to do it well, because it requires much more work, control, time, effort and dedication.”
At the same time, it focuses on a relevant point, according to its consideration. For Roggio to always remain updated In terms of trends, technologies, discoveries, new styles and supplies, it allows us to “always make sure we are doing the best possible.”
There is a moment in the process that is key for craft brewers: “The saying is that the brewer makes wort,” he begins to explain, and goes deeper: “The wort is the liquid that will then ferment and the yeast makes the beer. That refers to the importance of fermentation in the final result of the beerthat is where a lot of the profiles, aroma and flavors of the beer are finished and it is a living process, that is why it is very important and key.”
The criteria to define what makes a craft beer stand out from others are varied. Boan, for example, considers that for them to be good “it is It is essential that they are made with good quality raw materials“, that they are manufactured in facilities that are equipped with good technology, and that the entire process is supervised by professionals, dedicating time and attention to each step.”
For his part, Hallu believes that “understanding in depth what happens at each stage of the process is the basis for achieving the objective.” At the same time, he reinforces the importance of the measurement elements, along with “the correct cleaning of the equipment, which is essential.”
Why is this point important? As Hallu explains, we must never lose sight of the fact that it is about the preparation of food, which is why “poor cleaning leads, among other things, to bacterial contaminations in the beer. That’s where you find beers with an aroma of vinegar or curdled milk, far from a quality beer.”
“To make a good craft beer there are three factors that must be present without fail: training, process control and correct cleaning,” says Roggio to distinguish a quality drink.
And he maintains, forcefully, that we must “have the decision not to take shortcutschoosing the best inputs, processes and putting in the effort and dedication that making a good beer entails.”
