What Is Craft Beer? Exploring Flavours, Styles & Brewing Traditions

Have you also noticed that Aussies are going crazy about the craft beer scene and just can’t get enough of that amazing IPA or that crisp lager? Welcome to the wonderful, flavour-packed world of craft beer! Gone are the days when beer meant just one thing; today's craft beer scene is like a playground for your taste buds, where brewers are basically running and doing their best in the competition of crafting the best brew. From tropical fruit explosions to chocolate-rich decadence, craft beer has transformed the simple pint into something really extraordinary.

Whether you're a curious newbie or a seasoned sipper, this guide will take you on a journey through everything craft beer: what makes it special, how it's lovingly brewed, and why it's become the drink of choice for flavour chasers everywhere. Ready to dive in? Let's crack open this story!

What is Craft Beer?

Craft beer represents a dedication to quality, innovation, and individuality. Unlike mass-producers, these beers are crafted by small, independent breweries that take great pride in every batch they produce. While honouring classic brewing techniques, these brewers are also eager to explore inventive flavours and source the finest ingredients. The result is a diverse range of unique and delicious beers, from vibrant, hop-forward IPAs to rich, velvety stouts. The excellent brewers behind craft beer channel their enthusiasm into their creations, constantly seeking fresh takes and forming meaningful connections within their communities. Each glass offers more than just refreshment; it delivers a memorable experience, with every sip telling its own unique story.

How is Craft Beer Made?

Craft beer makes up to your glass when the production begins with the four essential ingredients: water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. The brewing process begins with mashing, where malted grains are milled and combined with hot water to extract essential sugars. This produces a sweet liquid known as wort. The wort is then brought to a boil, during which hops are added at various stages to add the bitterness, distinctive flavours, and the characteristic hoppy aroma. After boiling, the wort is rapidly cooled and transferred to fermentation vessels. Here, yeast is introduced, initiating fermentation as it consumes the sugars and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide, a stage that can last anywhere from several days to a few weeks.

Craft brewers pay meticulous attention to each stage, carefully selecting unique malts, experimenting with innovative hop varieties, and meticulously controlling fermentation temperatures. Many also choose to add unique additional ingredients, such as fruits, spices, or coffee, to create novel flavour profiles. Once fermentation is complete, the beer may be conditioned, filtered, or left unfiltered, depending on the desired style. Finally, the finished beer is packaged, ready to be enjoyed with the complex, vibrant flavours that define craft brewing.

Craft Beer Vs Regular Beer

The difference between craft beer and regular beer goes far beyond the label. Understanding what sets them apart helps you appreciate why craft beer has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of beer lovers worldwide. Here's a clear breakdown:

While regular beer offers familiar, easily accessible refreshment, craft beer delivers a special drinking experience, a story in every bottle, showcasing the brewer's creativity and dedication to the art of brewing.

Types of Craft Beers

The craft beer universe is wonderfully diverse, offering something for every palate and occasion. From hop-bombed IPAs that wake up your taste buds to smooth, silky stouts that feel like a warm hug, each style brings its own personality to the glass. Understanding the main types helps you navigate brewery menus with confidence and discover new favourites. Let's explore the most popular craft beer styles you can try as you step into the journey of craft beer adventure.

India Pale Ale (IPA)

The superstar of the craft beer scene, IPAs are known for their pronounced hop character. They deliver bold bitterness, vibrant aromas, and a wide array of flavours ranging from citrus and tropical fruit to pine and resin. West Coast IPAs are particularly noted for their sharp, clean profiles and assertive bitterness, while Hazy New England IPAs offer a contrasting experience with a softer, juicier texture and abundant fruit notes. For those seeking intense and unapologetic flavours, IPAs are a classic choice.

Pale Ale

Pale ales, on the other hand, are renowned for their balance and wide appeal. This style brings a satisfying level of hop presence without overwhelming the palate, complemented by a supportive malt backbone that makes them so approachable. Expect nuanced citrus and floral aromas, along with a subtle biscuity sweetness. Pale ales are versatile companions to a variety of meals and are perfect for those long sessions of enjoyment.

Stout

Stouts present a striking appearance with their deep, dark hue, yet their flavours are approachable and diverse. The use of roasted malts imparts rich notes of coffee, chocolate, and caramel. This style offers everything from classic dry Irish stouts to robust, barrel-aged imperial stouts, delivering an extensive  range, from smooth and drinkable to complex and full-bodied. Stouts provide a comforting, layered drinking experience, ideal for winters and cosy sipping.

Lager

Craft lagers are the perfect examples that lagers can be both refined and flavourful. These beers are characterised by their clean, crisp, and refreshing quality, from the careful brewing techniques and high-quality ingredients. Pilsners highlight a delicate hop spice, Helles lagers emphasize gentle malt sweetness, and the newer hoppy lagers introduce lively aromas while retaining their classic, thirst-quenching nature.

Sour Beer

For those seeking something unique and funky, sour beers provide a unique and adventurous option. With their tart and tangy profiles, often developed through the use of wild yeasts and bacteria, sours can range from the delicately tart Berliner Weisse to the deeply complex, barrel-aged lambics. While not universally appealing, sour beers have a separate fan base and bring a wine-like sophistication to the beer world.

Wheat Beer

Wheat beers are celebrated for their light body, hazy appearance, and exceptional refreshment. The inclusion of wheat creates a smooth, soft texture. German Hefeweizens are known for their signature banana and clove notes, Belgian Witbiers deliver coriander and orange peel flavours, meanwhile American wheat beers tend to favour a cleaner, slightly hoppy character. These beers are ideal for warm weather or pairing with lighter fare such as salads and seafood.

Brewing Traditions

Craft brewing is all about that sweet spot between tradition and creativity. Sure, a lot of breweries stick to their traditions, think German purity laws focused on top-notch ingredients, those wild and complex Belgian monastery ales spiced just right, or the easy-drinking beers you’d find at a classic British pub. But nobody’s stuck in the past here. These old-school ideas just spark new ones.

Especially in Australia, craft brewers have shaken things up. They’ve gone big with hops, tossed in everything from fruit to coffee to oysters, and dug up old beer styles most people forgot about. You’ll see old techniques like barrel ageing and bottle conditioning living right alongside modernity, dry hopping, hop bursting, and dialled-in temperature controls.

A lot of these breweries end up as go-to beer spots for beer lovers. They organise events, team up with local shops and other craft breweries, and try to do right by the planet, think grain recycling or finding ways to save energy. That’s really what craft beer’s about: showing respect for tradition, but never being afraid to experiment and surprise people with something new.

Tasting and Pairing Guide

Appearance: Start by noticing colour, clarity, and head retention. These visual hints at ingredients and brewing techniques used.

Aroma: Swirl gently and inhale. Identify hop aromas (citrus, pine, floral), malt character (caramel, chocolate, bread), yeast notes (banana, clove, fruity), and any special additions.

Taste: Take a sip and let it sit on your palate. Notice initial sweetness, mid-palate flavours, and finish. Consider bitterness, body, and carbonation levels.

Pairing Principles: Match intensity, light beers with delicate foods, bold beers with robust dishes. IPAs cut through fatty, spicy foods beautifully. Stouts complement chocolate desserts and grilled meats. Wheat beers enhance seafood and fresh salads. Sours pair wonderfully with cheese and charcuterie. Consider complementary flavours (coffee stout with chocolate cake) or contrasting elements (crisp lager with rich fried foods). Don't be afraid to experiment; craft beer's versatility means there's always an exciting pairing ready to be discovered!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is craft beer in Australia?

In Australia, beer made by small, independent breweries that prioritise quality, flavour innovation, and traditional brewing techniques is referred to as craft beer. Over the past ten years, the Australian craft beer scene has thrived, with hundreds of regional breweries producing unique beers that highlight local ingredients like finger limes, wattleseed, and unique Australian hops. Mass production is not as important to these breweries as creativity and contribution to the community.

2. What is the difference between craft beer and regular beer?

Small, independent breweries create craft beer with a focus on premium ingredients, creative flavours, and age-old brewing methods. Quality, mass production, and wide appeal are the top priorities for regular beer from big commercial breweries, which frequently use ingredients to cut costs. While regular beer offers pleasant, easy-to-drink experiences, craft beer offers greater variety and complex flavour profiles.

3. How do you know if a beer is a craft beer?

Check out small, independent breweries that produce less than 6 million barrels a year. In-depth labels listing ingredients, flavour profiles, and brewing histories are typically found on craft beers. Instead of having a neutral taste, they exhibit unique, frequently strong flavours. Verify whether the brewery is privately held or managed by a major corporation. Craft beers usually highlight particular hop varieties, malt varieties, or rare ingredients.

4. What are the best craft breweries in Australia?

Australia boasts exceptional craft breweries, including Balter, Stone & Wood, Pirate Life, Bentspoke, Mountain Culture, Range Brewing, and more. The craft beer scene is constantly evolving with new, exciting breweries emerging regularly. Exploring local breweries in your region often reveals hidden gems producing world-class beers that compete internationally.

5. Where can I buy craft beer online in Australia?

At Beer Cartel, you can buy craft beer online in Australia, with our exceptional range of 1000+ craft beers from around the world available. We offer Australia's most extensive selection, featuring local favourites and international legends, all delivered securely and quickly to your doorstep. Our curated collection includes limited releases, seasonal specials, beer mixed packs, and brewery exclusives you won't find elsewhere.

Explore a Wide Selection of Craft Beers in Australia with Beer Cartel

The way we think of beer has evolved as a result of the craft beer revolution, which has transformed it from a simple beverage to an artisanal experience full of flavour, creativity, and a sense of community. There's a craft beer waiting to become your new favourite, whether you prefer tart, creative sours, rich chocolate stouts, or hop-forward IPAs. The endless variety of craft beer and the enthusiastic brewers who create each one are what make it so appealing.

Ready to explore Australia's finest craft beer selection? Beer Cartel is your ultimate destination for craft beer excellence. As Australia's top online craft beer store, we bring together over 1000 carefully curated craft beers from Australia and around the globe, delivering brewery-fresh flavours straight to your doorstep. Discover limited releases, exclusive mixed packs, and new varieties while supporting independent breweries. Start your craft beer journey today with Beer Cartel, where every beer tells a story, and every sip is an adventure. Shop now and taste the difference craft makes!