Microbrew beer is beer that is crafted in a small brewery instead of a large commercial brewery. Microbreweries are classified as such only if they produce fewer than about 15,000 barrels of beer annually. These beers are usually sold locally and are known only by the local crowd, making them a bit of a unique novelty item for those outside of the region.
Instead of brewing large amounts of beer for sale, microbreweries focus on making specialty beers capitalizing on local ingredients and unique brewing techniques. They advertise the quality and individuality of their brews, often showcasing their products in microbrewery pubs where you can sample the different beers. These specially made and attended beers are called real ale, craft ale or craft beers. This is because special attention is used throughout the brewing process, resulting in the production of these beers being a true act of craftsmanship.
Most microbrews feature specialty hops, malts and herbs. When tasting microbrews, you will notice distinct differences in some because the ingredients are so different from the large-scale produced beers you can find in any grocery store.
When you evaluate a microbrew, consider the following factors: body, complexity, crispness, how strong or weak the hops are, how strong the presence of the malt is (look for a caramel flavor), the feel of the beer in your mouth and the intensity of the roast.
Make sure you take into account the appearance, aroma and feel of the beer as you taste it. You may want to ask questions about the ingredients used in the particular microbrew before you taste it. Then note the initial and afterglow flavors as you taste test the beer. Many microbrewery pubs will serve you a sampler of five short mugs of beer with appropriate appetizers so you can experience the most distinctive microbrews they have produced.
 | If you love different types of beer, you'll want to pair it with the right food to bring out the unique flavors in your favorite brew. Check out these types of beer and beer pairings for some ideas on making the perfect food and beer matches. |
 | When pairing food with lager beers, you'll need to pay attention to what kind of lager it is. Pale lagers go best with lighter foods such as crispy torillas filled with spicy Mexican foods or nachos with salsa and cheese. Darker lagers are more commonly served with meals, but can be consumed with some appetizers also. |
If you like to drink light beers, you'll want to pair them with lighter foods. Just like you would pair a milder dish with a mild, sweet wine and a bolder dish with a bolder wine (or white meats with white wine and red meats with red wine), you'll want to think light with light when you look for good food pairings for light beers. |
If you're looking to pair food with your favorite pale ale, you should take a look at heavy, full-bodied menu choices. Pale ales have full-bodied flavors, so you need to pair them with foods that have strong, hearty flavors and can stand up to the ale. A good pale ale can play up the spicy heat of spiced foods or it can balance a robust beef dish. |
If you want to taste a variety of beers, why not consider hosting your own beer tasting party? While it might not be reasonable to taste a dozen different beers on your own in one sitting, it can be a feasible event if you invite a few friends and pour small servings of each beer for comparison. |
