Hoppy, aromatic, emphatically bitter pale ales have long dominated the craft scene. But now that craft has locked down a sizeable share of the marketplace, its focus has shifted to new and experimental styles.
“Craft beer has progressed so quickly and with so much fervor that we’ve done a lot of exploring in a very short period of time,” says Matt Simpson, an Atlanta-based certified beer judge, educator, and owner of the Beer Sommelier craft-brewing consultancy.
As a result of all the recent exploration and experimentation, Simpson says he doesn’t expect to see a lot that’s strictly new this year. But he and other brewing experts say some styles that have gained a foothold among the craft cognoscenti are poised to break out in 2018 among the wider beer-drinking public. Here are those styles, and a few delicious examples to try.
Lagers
Light, refreshing, easy drinking lagers dominated the American beer scene for a century. But for years, most craft brewers disdained them—in part because lager, despite its uncomplicated profile, is often trickier and more-expensive to brew than ale. But these crowd-pleasers are poised for a craft-style makeover.
“I think people are yearning for some good, well-made lagers that are clear and clean and drinkable, but that still have flavor,” Simpson says. Others agree.
“Craft breweries are betting big on this segment coming back, and I expect that this year might be the year for it,” says Philip Breen, assistant manager at Philadelphia’s Frankford Hall beer garden. Brewers themselves say the same.
“Lagers will be a major showcase style for many breweries in the coming year,” says Josh Hughes, brewmaster at New York’s Roscoe Beer Co.
Written by
TroutTown
on January 12, 2018