It has been over a year of challenges for the food and beverage industries since the pandemic hit. Craft breweries have had to change the way in which they promote and sell beer. Despite these challenges, breweries continue to create and innovate beverages that keep people engaged. My name is Justin Biske and I specialize in the food and beverage industry and its on-going trends. Most of my topics revolve around eating out trends, top food and beverage menu items, food, and beverage pricing, as well as restaurant atmosphere and mood trends. Currently one of the most talked about topics is the craft beer industry. Beer has been the go-to drink for most, especially during the pandemic. But what are these hot beer trends we are seeing? Let us look.
IPAs are still the “King of Craft,” and brewers are adding their creativity to the hop-filled category. Softer and less bitter IPAs with a bit of citrus has become quite appealing to beer drinkers who previously have not considered themselves to be IPA lovers. The dry, brut, bitter original style of IPAs have left the building, now these more subtle creations are a hot trend in the craft beer setting.
Hard seltzers have stepped into the spotlight as breweries have innovated with the distillers, wineries, and soft drink companies to create this huge trend of seltzers. The light beer and seltzer markets are expanding moving away from the traditional beer. The hard seltzer market accelerates with its low calorie and broad range of flavors, creating these trendy cocktail inspired seltzers.
There is an all-new addition to the craft beer trends, this is the low and no alcohol option beers. People have either cut back on their drinking or have stopped all together for health and other reasons. However, it does not always mean that once in awhile you want to taste that beer you once loved to drink on occasion. Brewers have rolled out non-alcoholic, non-beer beverages that contain hops, including soda, tea, and sparkling water. The demand for alcohol-free beverages is growing and even more no and low-alcohol craft beers have arrived at the scene.
Sour beers have seemed to find their place here in the US. What once came from Belgium and northern Germany breweries, these sour beers appeal to beer drinkers who are eager to try something new. Sour beers are up 25% in volume sales in the last two years, according to a recent article in the Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Breweries have created a variety of sour options with various flavors of sweetness.
Finally, are the lagers and ales. The difference between the two are the yeast factors, Lagers yeasts are bottom fermenters, while ales sit at the top of yeast beer tanks. Lagers are the most widely drank beers of the world. With the industry taprooms taking a hit, brewers are finding capacity for lager production adding their unique spin on the style. Craft brewers have had to push through these challenging times, they focus on creativity and innovation fueled by their passion and love for beer.
If you liked this post. Stay tuned! Justin Biske will continue to provide his feedback on beer trends and much more.
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