Recently, craft beer has become very popular all over the world. What is it and why is there a stir around it? This must be sorted out.
Crafting conditions
Many people think that beer with such a name is a unique product. This statement is not entirely true. To make everything clear, you need to learn to understand where ordinary and where craft beer, what it is and why it is called that. There are three main reasons why a foamy drink may fall into this category:
- Conditions and volumes of production. Translated from English, “craft” (Craft) means “craft”. Hence the requirement that the product must be produced in a small enterprise (mini-brewery).
- The relative independence of the manufacturer. It is about the participation of third-party companies in financial activities. It is believed that the enterprise itself should have at least 75 percent of the shares. This should serve as a guarantee of freedom of leadership in the adoption of certain decisions.
- Products at such breweries should be produced using traditional technology. Of course, the use of non-standard raw materials is allowed, but it should be used only to improve some stages of the process. It is forbidden to use various kinds of additives to reduce the total cost of the product.
Now it’s clear when they say “craft beer” that this is a conditional name, and not some new variety.
American craft
Americans are also deeply convinced, producing craft beer, that this is not the name of the drink itself, but of the special conditions in which it is produced. They have their own thoughts on this. Firstly, the Association of American Brewers has established a clear boundary for the maximum output at such plants. According to their estimates, small breweries should produce no more than 703.8 million liters of foam product per year. That is about six million barrels. The quantity is already considerable. Secondly, special attention is paid to technology. It is not necessary to have ancient, well-known recipes at the base of production. With the help of modern technology, you can change the old style in a new way and develop your own, previously unknown method. Such innovations are used quite often. Sometimes such methods come down to simply adding unconventional types of raw materials to give the product a special zest and attract attention from buyers.
New trend in the capital
In Russia, more and more establishments appear where craft beer is served as a drink for meetings and friendly conversations. In Moscow today there are already many such places. There, as a rule, they sell not the usual beer that can be found in any store. The suppliers of such specialized bars and restaurants are people who do not just know what they are doing. They in the full sense of the word put their soul into their product. Well, who cares to come to a chic pub and drink ordinary consumer goods? Craft breweries are a different matter. Beer, which comes from these mini-factories, has a bright personality and has a special unique flavor. This is understandable, because the manufacturer prepares it, based on their own taste preferences. It can be beer brewed in English, Czech or German traditions with a special note that is not inherent in specific national standards. Here you can really find a drink for every taste.
Hot spots
Now in almost any Russian city you can find an institution serving craft beer. There are a lot of them in Moscow, but the most popular are:
1. “Birmarket”. This shop sells about 350 different beers. Hundreds of suppliers bring their products here. Lot sizes are sometimes measured in multiple boxes. This store is also famous for the fact that only here you can buy the famous Danish beer, whose fortress is 19.3 turns.
2. A small bar under the strange name "All your friends." Here, the products of Russian producers are mainly represented, with the exception of the unique Belgian Rodenbach, which includes wine during the cooking process.
3. Haggis Bar, where in addition to 13 types of beer are unusual British-style snacks.
4. Shop-bar "Glavpivmag", where you can not only buy beer, but also drink it without going outside.
5. Pub for athletes "Bobby Dezzler", which during football matches becomes a haven for many fans.
New-fashioned traditions
New ideas are always interesting, especially at the first stage. Their creators are trying to show all their imagination in order to attract attention to themselves as much as possible. But some new items require a completely different presentation. This is what happened in the beer industry. Following the example of foreign countries, in Russia, mushrooms after the rain began to appear outlets where they sell craft beer. The bar (or store) selling such a drink has also changed. Institutions in the style of trendy Irish, Scottish or English pubs began to appear. Outwardly, these should be small rooms with dim lights, soft leather furniture and necessarily wooden floors. This is customary in the West.
But Russian entrepreneurs are trying to go beyond the usual standards. For example, the owner of Kraft REPABlic decided to apply the Scandinavian style. He located his institution in a normal cellar and painted it inside with white. But the main thing that newfangled pubs are famous for is the range. Here you can try something that never hits the shelves of large stores. After all, craft products are unique and are produced in such small quantities that they can not carry out regular deliveries to large shopping centers.
Beer establishments of the second capital
The new current could not pass by St. Petersburg. Craft beer in the Northern capital was appreciated in its own way. If Muscovites come to the pub with a desire to drink and eat, then Petersburgers pay the main attention to the drink. A prominent representative of such a revolutionary institution is the local bar CRAFT Bier Cafe. It does not shine with its cool design and varied cuisine. Yes, this is not necessary. Here, and so always is full of people. People come to this place not for a chic setting. It's just that there is everything a true beer lover needs: a pleasant atmosphere and a rich drink list. Visitors are invited to try about 30 different varieties of draft and more than 200 types of bottled beer from representatives of craft breweries in Russia, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Holland and France. The wide choice and cozy atmosphere of the main pub in St. Petersburg are well-deservedly popular among the residents of the city. The establishment is open from noon until late at night, and this is also in the interests of visitors.
Kraft in the Russian outback
A new trend with confident steps moves inland. Now, even in small provincial towns, you can find craft beer. In Russia, too, there are real enthusiasts and connoisseurs of the ancient drink. In our country, everything starts as usual. Initiative people buy out old enterprises that have fallen into disrepair. Then comes the process of overhaul and re-equipment of the workshops, and after all the problems with the documents, the new company begins to produce long-awaited products. Almost all small businessmen go this way. But as a result, people get what they have been waiting for. The newly-minted manufacturer is trying to realize the most unusual ideas, and this is exactly what is needed for "crafting". Of course, he is not able to fully satisfy the needs of a large supermarket with his products. But it can deliver beer to a small pub, which, except for it, no one brews. It is these manufacturers that are needed by real craft bars and restaurants.
Expected threat
Recently, the Government of Russia sharply raises the question of the need to control the turnover of alcohol-containing products. For these purposes, a special system (EGAIS) was developed, which should keep records and monitor the movement of goods. To install such a system at the enterprise, you must have:
- a personal computer with specific system requirements;
- Internet access with a specific connection speed;
- system software installed on this computer;
- program for cash registers compatible with installed software;
- special scanner with a two-dimensional bar code;
- flash drive with electronic signature.
Such an event is not cheap and can cost a pretty penny to small producers. Only large enterprises can do this. In addition, production in small batches forces constant changes to the program. All this creates additional problems. Suppliers of craft beer at a loss. Someone thinks that any difficulties can be dealt with. But most argue that the new system will lead to the inevitable ruin of small companies, which, in fact, are associates of the new movement. As a result, the craft beer market in Russia will simply collapse.
Beer in a restaurant
With the development of the craft movement, the products of enterprising manufacturers began to order not only small bars, but also respectable restaurants. Everything is done here to create the right atmosphere and comfort. Upholstered, comfortable furniture allows you to conduct conversations for a long time. A varied cuisine offers everything from simple snacks and salads to soups and hot dishes. Drinks in such an institution have a special role. To please all visitors, the map of this product is maximally expanded. In the assortment, along with dozens of varieties of famous beer, there are surely several highlights that can be tasted only here. Moreover, this list is constantly being updated with interesting novelties. A flexible system of discounts is established for a number of services , which will certainly cause a keen interest of visitors. Such a craft beer restaurant fully lives up to its name. Here you can eat well, celebrate any significant event or just sit in the company of friends over a glass of your favorite handmade drink.
Thematic institutions
For lovers of a foamy drink, the craft beer bar will be the most familiar . Moscow in this direction provides a fairly rich selection. Those who are interested in the drink itself can be advised to visit the Craft RePUBlic bar. He is well known in the capital. The atmosphere here is very simple, there are no waiters, there are practically no snacks (except cheese and chips), but the choice of beer is simply the richest. True connoisseurs gather here to pamper themselves and have fun. Recently in Moscow began to open many such institutions. For example, the bar "Varka". While he can not compete with mastodons such as Craft RePUBlic. But the management plans in the near future to abandon foreign products and switch only to the Russian "craft". The idea is interesting and very promising, but you should probably not categorically refuse good imports. A person should always have the right to choose.
Price of pleasure
For true beer lovers, there are no barriers. Sometimes they are ready to pay good money for a good drink. But everything should be within reasonable limits. In recent years, craft beer has been increasingly seen in specialized bars. The price for it is usually quite high and ranges from 105 to 340 rubles per 0.5 liter bottle.
One liter of such a drink on bottling can cost from 108 to 155 rubles. Sellers in this regard have a double opinion. On the one hand, it is clear that the product, as they say, handmade always has an inflated price tag. It affects the effort and considerable expenses. On the other hand, the high price repels the ordinary potential buyer and makes him turn his attention to cheaper goods. This situation negatively affects
sales and, consequently, real income. Why do manufacturers of domestic “craft” continue to keep such high prices for their products? Perhaps this is a pre-conceived move to present your beer as an extra-class product or a piece of brewing art. In both cases, the consumer will be inclined towards more affordable, but already well-known products. It’s worth it to think well for those who are just starting their brewing business.