The world of craft beer is brimming with exciting flavors and styles, and keeping up with the latest trends can be a fun challenge. Not to mention, local breweries must continue to innovate to bring customers through the door, giving them something different each year. That's where Brewfits comes in, your one-stop shop for exploring all things craft beer!
In this post, we'll be diving into the top five most popular craft beer styles to look for in 2024, highlighting some exciting trends within each category.
1. FRUITED SOURS
These vibrant beers are a type of sour beer that incorporates real fruit puree during or after fermentation. This adds a delightful layer of sweetness and fruit flavor to the sour base, creating a refreshingly tart and juicy beverage. From classic flavors like cherry and raspberry to more adventurous options like passionfruit and guava, there's a fruited sour to tantalize every taste bud.
Why the Rise in Popularity?
Fruited sours are the perfect marriage of two major trends in craft beer: the enduring love for sours and the increasing consumer demand for innovative and flavorful brews. These beers offer a delightful balance between sweet and tart, making them approachable for new sour drinkers while still exciting seasoned enthusiasts with unique fruit combinations.
Characteristics of Fruited Sours:
- Tartness: The sour base provides a refreshing acidity, ranging from subtle to pucker-inducing depending on the style.
- Fruity Explosion: Expect vibrant flavors and aromas of the featured fruit(s).
- Balanced Sweetness: The fruit puree adds a touch of sweetness that complements the tartness for a well-rounded flavor profile.
- Variety is the Spice of Life: Look for breweries experimenting with different fruits and flavor combinations.
2. SESSIONAL IPAs
These IPAs (India Pale Ales) are brewed to be lighter-bodied and lower in alcohol content (typically around 4-5% ABV) compared to their bolder counterparts. Despite their lighter frame, sessionable IPAs still pack a flavorful punch of citrus and piney hops, making them incredibly refreshing and perfect for enjoying throughout the day or evening.
Why the Rise in Popularity?
Consumers are increasingly seeking out flavorful beers that are lower in alcohol. Sessionable IPAs deliver on both counts, offering the hoppy satisfaction of classic IPAs in a more sessionable format. This makes them ideal for social gatherings, outdoor activities, or simply enjoying a flavorful beer without the heavier feeling of a high-ABV brew.
Characteristics of Sessionable IPAs:
- Lower Alcohol Content: Typically between 4-5% ABV, making them perfect for enjoying multiple glasses.
- Crisp and Refreshing: Lighter body with a clean finish.
- Hoppy Character: Expect prominent citrusy, piney, or floral hop aromas and flavors.
- Food Pairing Versatility: Pairs well with a variety of dishes due to their lighter body and balanced flavor profile.
3. SMALL-BATCH AND REGIONAL BREWS
These beers are crafted by smaller, independent breweries with a focus on unique ingredients, innovative brewing techniques, and showcasing local flavors. Small-batch brews allow for experimentation and exploration, often resulting in limited-edition releases and highly sought-after styles. Regional beers, on the other hand, highlight the distinct ingredients and brewing traditions specific to a particular area.
Why the Rise in Popularity?
Consumers are increasingly interested in supporting local businesses and experiencing unique and flavorful beers. Small-batch and regional brews offer a sense of discovery and connection to the brewing community. With a focus on fresh, local ingredients and innovative techniques, these breweries are pushing the boundaries of craft beer and creating truly distinctive beverages.
Small-Batch and Regional Brew Characteristics:
- Limited Availability: Small-batches often mean limited quantities, making them collector's items for beer enthusiasts.
- Innovation and Experimentation: Expect unique flavor profiles and brewing techniques.
- Local Focus: May utilize local ingredients or brewing traditions specific to the region.
- Supporting Local Businesses: By choosing these beers, you directly support independent craft breweries.
4. NEW LAGERS
While classic lagers like pilsners and Märzens have long been a staple in the beer world, a new wave of innovative lagers is taking the craft beer scene by storm. These New Lagers experiment with various brewing techniques, hop varieties, and flavor profiles, offering a refreshing and exciting twist on the traditional lager style.
Why the Rise in Popularity?
Consumers are looking for new and exciting flavor experiences, even within familiar styles like lagers. New Lagers deliver on this by incorporating unique ingredients, dry hopping techniques (adding hops late in the brewing process for enhanced aroma), and exploring a wider range of hop profiles beyond the traditional German varieties. The result is a category of lagers that are bursting with flavor and complexity, while still retaining the crispness and drinkability that lager lovers appreciate.
New Lager Characteristics:
- Modern Twist on Tradition: Expect elements of classic lagers like clean finishes and light bodies, but with innovative flavor profiles.
- Hop Exploration: Look for brewers experimenting with a wider range of hops, introducing citrusy, floral, or even tropical fruit notes.
- Dry Hopping Techniques: This technique can enhance the aroma and flavor of the hops without adding bitterness.
- Food Pairing Versatility: New Lagers pair well with a variety of dishes due to their clean and refreshing nature.
5. FARMHOUSE SAISONS
These rustic ales have a long history, traditionally brewed by farmhouse brewers in southern Belgium. Farmhouse Saisons are known for their dry finish, spicy character, and often a hint of funk. These beers are typically lighter-bodied and lower in alcohol content, making them perfect for enjoying on a warm day.
Why the Rise in Popularity?
Consumers are increasingly drawn to unique and historical styles that offer a taste of brewing tradition. Farmhouse Saisons represent a return to simpler brewing methods and showcase the subtle complexities that can arise from natural fermentation with wild yeasts. The dry finish and refreshing nature also make them ideal for pairing with a variety of foods.
Farmhouse Saison Characteristics:
- Dry Finish: Little to no residual sweetness, creating a crisp and refreshing experience.
- Spicy Character: Phenolics from the yeast often contribute peppery or clove-like notes.
- Fruity Esters: Subtle hints of fruitiness can be present from the yeast strain.
- Funky Twist: Wild yeast fermentation may introduce subtle earthy or barnyard aromas, adding complexity to the flavor profile.
Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg! With Brewfits, you can discover countless breweries crafting incredible beers in all these styles and more. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring today—cheers!
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