There’s a lot of debate among beer drinkers about the relative merits of draught and craft beer. Both have unique flavours, yet many people can’t decide between them. Understanding the parallels and divergences between the two is crucial for any beer lover before settling on a favourite beverage.

In your explorations as a beer novice, you may come across the phrases “craft” and “draught” to characterise this light and bubbly beverage. Is there a difference between the two? Where do artisan beers vary most from mass-produced draughts? Have a seat because we’re going to explain both concepts and provide a comprehensive comparison of craft beer and draught beer in this article.

Craft Vs Draught Beer

Beer, one of the world’s most consumed beverages, has been brewed and consumed by humans for generations. As a result, a large range of beer is available, although not all of it is of high quality. However, these beers are the best of the best when it comes to flavour. There are many different kinds of beers, but these two stand out for their unique flavours.

Any beer enthusiast worth their hops would investigate these two different beverages’ production processes and ingredient lists. There’s no point in staying dark about your favourite drink, especially because learning about brewing can only improve the flavour.

Let’s look at each beer’s components and brewing process before comparing them.

Craft Beer

When it comes to beer craft beer is among the market leaders. It is a handcrafted item brewed in limited quantities using age-old techniques. Brewing this beer by hand enables the brewers greater creative freedom in terms of flavour profiles and ingredient combinations.

The use of high-quality, all-natural, and often regionally produced ingredients is one of the beer’s most defining features. Because of this, the beer has a flavour that can’t be found in commercially brewed beer. Furthermore, artisan brewers often use time-honoured brewing techniques handed down through the ages.

Brews made using premium ingredients, and age-old techniques often cost more than their mass-produced counterparts. While some beer drinkers may baulk at the additional cost, others insist that craft beers’ superior taste and craftsmanship are well worth the premium. Art brewers’ commitment to using expensive, high-quality local ingredients shows how seriously they take their craft.

Advantages

• The brewers make it the old-fashioned way. The result is a taste profile that sets this beer apart from the mass-produced brews.
• Brewers are able to play with various ingredients and taste profiles since the beer is made in such tiny volumes.
• The beer utilises only the finest all-natural, regionally sourced ingredients. The result is a taste profile that sets this beer apart from the mass-produced brews.
• Given that it’s brewed by hand, no extra tools are needed.

Disadvantages

• Due to the increased cost of the ingredients, beer is often more costly than mass-produced beer.
• Since it’s made in limited quantities and not widely disseminated, tracking any down may be challenging.
• Brewing beer requires more person-hours and takes more time than mass-produced beer.

Draught Beer

Beer for draught is usually produced in large quantities, kept in kegs, and dispensed through a tap. Its production is very like that of craft beer, with a few notable distinctions. For example, adjuncts, which are often cheaper and lower-quality grains, are commonly used in brewing draught beer.

Adjuncts help brewers to produce more beer for less money. In addition, unlike traditional brewing, the production of this beer is often accomplished by machine.

Serving beer from a tap is prefered by most beer aficionados since it results in a more flavorful and refreshing beverage. Another benefit of this beer is that the carbonation is preserved in the kegs. If you’re a brewer who regularly uses kegs, invest in a high-quality CO2 tank and regulator. This will ensure that your beer retains its carbonation and flavour.

Advantages

• Beer is made in huge quantities so that it may be readily found and distributed to more people.
• Cheaper, poorer quality grains known as “adjuncts” are used in brewing. Because of this, breweries can make more beer for less money.
• Brewing is often done in a machine since it is more efficient and requires fewer people to accomplish the work.
• Serving the beer straight from the tap ensures it is always cold and crisp.
• A keg is a clean and sanitary way to store beer, and the carbonation helps the drink retain its fresh flavour.

Disadvantages

• Adjuncts diminish the quality of beer compared to craft beer.
• Nowadays, most beers are brewed by machines, resulting in a less-tasting end product.
• Brewers need access to a high-quality CO2 tank and regulator to maintain the beer’s carbonation levels. This is potentially a pricey expenditure.

Comparison Between The Two

Once you learn the ins and outs of each, you’ll notice how uniquely exceptional they each are. Here’s a look at the differences between the two styles of brew:

Brewing Process

As a result of not using any artificial ingredients or preservatives, craft beers are popular among beer aficionados. In an effort to preserve the beer’s integrity, originality, and sophistication, it is generally served unfiltered and unpasteurized.

The flavour of draught beer is superior to bottled beer but not that of a specially crafted beer. Typically, it is filtered but not pasteurised.

Beer is made in the same manner as bottled beer, but instead of being stored in bottles, it is maintained in casks or pressurised kegs from which it is drawn with the pull of a tap.

Appearance

Regular beer and draught beer are lighter in colour than craft brews because they employ less malt in their production.

Craft beers come in a wide range of hues, depending on the brew and grains used, as opposed to the light yellow of regular beer.

Keg beer, often known as draught beer, is typically lighter than craft beer due to the effects of oxidation and pressurised distribution on the beer’s flavour and appearance. How much does a keg of beer cost, though?

Taste Profile

When comparing the flavour of craft beer to that of draught beer, the former comes out on top. This is because craft beers have more taste than ever and are better than draught beer in every way (cool, fresh, and smooth).

Craft beers are often preferred by beer enthusiasts over fresh beer due to the latter’s weaker flavour profile than craft beers.

When compared to mass-produced beers like draught beer, which only contain 3–4% ABV, the ABV of handcrafted beers from small breweries is anywhere from 5–10%.

Size & Production

The quantity and quality of ingredients used to make craft beer are also significantly different from mass-produced draught beer. Even if a brewery doesn’t consider itself a “craft” brewery, it may nevertheless mass manufacture draught beer so long as it is always served on tap from a cask or keg.

But the Brewers Association defines craft beers as those produced by smaller, independent brewers.

Craft breweries focus only on beer production and often produce less than 6 million barrels yearly.

Why Is Craft Beer In High Demand?

Craft beer has seen explosive growth and gained widespread popularity during the last several years. As a result, craft beer sales are skyrocketing, especially among young adults, while sales of conventional alcoholic beverages are plummeting. Several variables, including those listed below, contribute to this trend’s meteoric growth in popularity:

Unique flavours

The distinctive tastes of craft beer are attracting more customers’ attention. They choose a beverage that provides them with a one-of-a-kind and extraordinary flavour experience. This is where the heroic intervention of draught beer comes in. With new and familiar flavours, this alcoholic drink is a popular alternative to mass-produced brands.

Food Pairings 

You’ve probably heard of matching food and wine; the same concept applies to craft beer. To complete the perfect meal, you must choose a beer that compliments your favourite dish.

When To Use Craft Beer

This kind of beer is ideal when you’re in the mood for something with a little more punch in terms of taste. This is because more nuanced flavours might develop throughout the brewing process. In addition, it’s a good match for food since its robust flavours can handle richer fare.

When To Use Draft Beer

This is your best bet if you’re looking for a cheaper and more commonly accessible beer. This kind of beer is a great option when you’re in the mood for something with a subtler taste. Draft beer is ideal for drinking while watching a game or hanging out with friends.

Conclusion

Many beer consumers have strong opinions regarding which style of beer is better: draught or craft. Many individuals find themselves torn between the two distinct flavours. Any beer enthusiast worth their hops should compare and contrast the two beverages before deciding on a favourite. Craft beers are made with only the highest quality, all-natural ingredients that are acquired locally wherever possible. Since the beer is produced in such small quantities, brewers may experiment with different ingredients and flavour characteristics.

Traditional beer brewing takes longer and more person-hours than mass-produced beer. Craft beers don’t use any weird additives or preservatives. Craft beers are served unfiltered and unpasteurized when possible to maintain their full flavour, unique character, and refined nature. There is no comparison between craft beer and draught beer (cool, fresh, and smooth). The popularity of craft beers has skyrocketed during the last several years.

This alcoholic beverage is a refreshing departure from mainstream brands because of its unique blend of familiar and exotic flavours. Smaller breweries, or “craft brewers,” typically produce fewer than 6 million barrels of beer per year and are solely focused on making beer.

Content Summary

1. There’s a lot of debate among beer drinkers about the relative merits of draught and craft beer.
2. Both have unique flavours, yet many people can’t decide between them.
3. Understanding the parallels and divergences between the two is crucial for any beer lover before settling on a favourite beverage.
4. Is there a difference between the two?
5. Have a seat because we’re going to explain both concepts and provide a comprehensive comparison of craft beer and draught beer in this article.
6. There are many different kinds of beers, but these two stand out for their unique flavours.
7. Any beer enthusiast worth their hops would investigate these two different beverages’ production processes and ingredient lists.
8. Before comparing each beer’s components and brewing process, let’s look at them.
9. Brewers are able to play with various ingredients and taste profiles since the beer is made in such tiny volumes.
10. The beer utilises only the finest all-natural, regionally sourced ingredients.
11. The result is a taste profile that sets this beer apart from mass-produced brews.
12. Given that it’s brewed by hand, no extra tools are needed.
13. Due to the increased cost of the ingredients, beer is often more costly than mass-produced beer.
14. Brewing beer requires more person-hours and takes more time than mass-produced beer.
15. Draught BeerBeer for draught is usually produced in large quantities, kept in kegs, and dispensed through a tap.
16. Its production is very like that of craft beer, with a few notable distinctions.
17. For example, adjuncts, which are often cheaper and lower-quality grains, are commonly used in brewing draught beer.
18. In addition, unlike traditional brewing, the production of this beer is often accomplished by machine.
19. Serving beer from a tap is prefered by most beer aficionados since it results in a more flavorful and refreshing beverage.
20. If you’re a brewer who regularly uses kegs, invest in a high-quality CO2 tank and regulator.
21. This will ensure that your beer retains its carbonation and flavour.
22. Serving the beer straight from the tap ensures it is always cold and crisp.
23. As a result of not using any artificial ingredients or preservatives, craft beers are popular among beer aficionados.
24. The flavour of draught beer is superior to bottled beer but not that of a specially crafted beer.
25. Typically, it is filtered but not pasteurised.
26. Regular beer and draught beer are lighter in colour than craft brews because they employ less malt in their production.
27. Keg beer, often known as draught beer, is typically lighter than craft beer due to the effects of oxidation and pressurised distribution on the beer’s flavour and appearance.
28. How much does a keg of beer cost, though? Taste ProfileWhen comparing the flavour of craft beer to that of draught beer, the former comes out on top.
29. This is because craft beers have more taste than ever and are better than draught beer in every way (cool, fresh, and smooth). Beer enthusiasts often prefer craft beers over fresh beer due to the latter’s weaker flavour profile than craft beers.
30. Compared to mass-produced beers like draught beer, which only contain 3–4% ABV, the ABV of handcrafted beers from small breweries is anywhere from 5–10%. Size & ProductionThe quantity and quality of ingredients used to make craft beer are also significantly different from mass-produced draught beer.
31. Even if a brewery doesn’t consider itself a “craft” brewery, it may nevertheless mass manufacture draught beer so long as it is always served on tap from a cask or keg.
32. But the Brewers Association defines craft beers as those produced by smaller, independent brewers.
33. Craft breweries focus only on beer production and often produce less than 6 million barrels yearly.
34. Craft beer has seen explosive growth and gained widespread popularity during the last several years.
35. As a result, craft beer sales are skyrocketing, especially among young adults, while sales of conventional alcoholic beverages are plummeting.
36. Several variables, including those listed below, contribute to this trend’s meteoric growth in popularity: Unique favours the distinctive tastes of craft beer are attracting more customers’ attention.
37. This is where the heroic intervention of draught beer comes in.
38. With new and familiar flavours, this alcoholic drink is a popular alternative to mass-produced brands.
39. You’ve probably heard of matching food and wine; the same concept applies to craft beer.
40. To complete the perfect meal, you must choose a beer that compliments your favourite dish.
41. This is your best bet if you’re looking for a cheaper and more commonly accessible beer.

FAQs About Draught Beer And Craft Beer

Is Draft Beer And Tap Beer The Same?

Yes. There is no difference between draught beer and beer from the tap. Drawing beer from a large container such as a cask or keg and pouring it straight into the glass, as is done with draught beer, is known as tapping the beer.

What Does On Draught Mean At A Bar?

When a beer or other alcoholic beverage is offered “on draught,” it indicates that it is drawn from a barrel through a tap and poured directly into a customer’s glass.

Which is Stronger, Draught Beer or Craft?

A further distinction between draught beer and craft beer is the higher alcohol content of the former. Craft beer has a higher alcohol content per volume than regular beer, making it far more potent than the latter. The beer produced by a craft brewer is not pasteurised or filtered, resulting in a more robust taste.

Which Gives You A Worse Hangover, Craft Beer Or Draught?

If you drink a higher amount of craft beer, you will get a hangover that is more severe than the one you would get from drinking draught beer. In addition, there is a significant concentration of congeners in beers, which might make hangover symptoms even more severe.

Can Craft & Draught Beers Be Sold Canned?

Draft beer cannot be sold in cans, but craft beer makers can. Draft beer cannot be sold in cans. Craft beer is any beer that has been specially brewed, and there are no restrictions on how to serve it.

Craft brewers frequently embrace this idea as craft beer consumption among millennials has increased in recent years. But draught beer cannot be purchased in cans or bottles. The fizzy beverage needs to be tapped straight into glasses from casks or kegs. View the various IPA beer varieties here.