Understanding Macro Breweries and Craft Beer

What is a macro brewery?
“”Macro”” means this is the largest type of brewing company. Macrobreweries typically have an annual production of six million barrels of beer or more each year. There are four companies that control over 50 percent of the beer market: Anheuser-Busch InBev, Heineken, Molson Coors Beverage Company, and Carlsberg.
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vast-scale beer makers known as macro brewers sell vast quantities of their alcoholic beverages, generally distributing them nationally or even globally. These businesses, which are frequently controlled by large conglomerates, make a variety of beers, including ales, lagers, and light beers. Macro breweries differ from craft breweries, which are more independent, smaller, and produce a narrower variety of beers using traditional brewing techniques.

The renowned Anchor Brewing Company, which started brewing beer in San Francisco in 1896, is the oldest artisan brewery in the United States. The artisanal and conventional brewing techniques used by Anchor Brewing Company, which have been handed down through generations of brewers, are renowned. A notable example of a California Common beer, created with a special yeast strain and a combination of malted barley and hops, is Anchor Steam, the company’s signature brew.

Although Sam Adams, also known as the Boston Beer Company, is frequently thought of as a craft brewer, this is up for debate. Despite being owned by a larger firm and producing a large amount of beer each year, the company makes a wide variety of beers, including seasonal and limited edition brews. While some beer connoisseurs contend that Sam Adams is no longer a craft brewer, others contend that Sam Adams is a craft brewer due to its dedication to traditional brewing techniques and high-quality ingredients. India Pale Ales, or IPAs, are a well-liked craft beer variety that have gained popularity recently. Although craft breweries are not the only ones that make IPAs, many of them have their own distinctive spin on the genre. Due to the extensive use of hops in the brewing process, IPAs are distinguished by their intensely hoppy flavor and fragrance. These beers are frequently harsh and contain more alcohol than other types of beers.

The measurement unit for beer production in the brewing business is known as BBL, or barrels. Thirty one gallons, or 13.8 cases, make up a barrel of beer. BBL is a unit of measurement for both the volume of beer produced and the equipment capacity of a brewery. For instance, a brewery that cranks out 10,000 BBL of beer annually has the capacity to make about 310,000 gallons of beer annually.

In conclusion, macro and craft breweries are two different categories of beer manufacturers, each with a unique brewing and distribution philosophy. Craft breweries are more independent and smaller than macro brewers, which use modern brewing techniques to create a limited number of beer styles and distribute them both domestically and abroad. While IPAs continue to be a well-liked craft beer style, The Boston Beer Company, or Sam Adams, is an example of a business that blurs the line between macro and craft brewing. In the brewing business, BBL, often known as barrels, is a standard unit of measurement that is used to express both the volume of beer produced and the equipment capacity of a brewery.

FAQ
How many brite tanks do I need?

Depending on the production capacity and the variety of beers being produced, the number of brite tanks needed will vary. Due to their enormous production volume and vast variety of beer varieties, macro breweries typically contain a lot of brite tanks. Craft breweries, on the other hand, might only have a small number of brite tanks because they make less beer overall and may concentrate on fewer types of beer. It is important to seek advice from a seasoned brewer or equipment provider when figuring out how many brite tanks are needed for a particular brewing operation.

How many beers are in a BBL?

A BBL (barrel) is a common measurement in the beer industry that is equal to 31 gallons or 117.35 liters. The quantity of beers in a BBL is determined by the size of the beer being served. For instance, if a beer is 12 oz (0.35 L) in size, one BBL contains about 124 beers. However, one BBL contains about 93 beers if each beer is 16 oz (0.47 L) in volume.