What actually is Craft Beer?

Nowadays, everyone talks about craft beer or IPA, but what do we actually mean by these terms? Like so many trends and innovations, craft beer and especially the movement behind it comes from the USA. Literally, the term could be translated as “craft beer”, but the Americans and the Brewers Association measure a craft beer by the following criteria:

Size of the brewery (less than 10 million hectolitres/year).
Independence of the brewery
Traditional beers/beer varieties

In Europe, the term is interpreted somewhat differently. Although we cannot refer to a comparable association and its definition, here Craft Beer is associated with more descriptive attributes. For example, a craft beer is usually considered to be very tasty and creative. Behind it there is often a face with an exciting story. Of course, as it is in the name, it has a lot to do with skill and craft. Last but not least, it is especially the many small independent breweries like Brauerei Steinfels that inspire the special atmosphere of a craft beer. Convince yourself of this unique ambience and visit us at the Steinfels Brewery in the middle of Zurich (Kreis 5). A guided tour of the brewery is just the thing.

The abbreviation IPA in turn stands for Indian Pal Ale and is a beer style subordinate to craft beer that has gained particular attention in recent years.

Why Zurich as a location?

Brewing beer goes back deep into Central European history and tradition. In the Middle Ages, it was as much a part of a family’s regular daily routine as baking bread. In Switzerland, commercial beer production first began in the canton of Bern in the 17th century, until Zurich gained the upper hand about 200 years later. The large breweries Löwenbräu and Hürlimann date from this period. Today, the Steinfels brewery is one of the few breweries in the city of Zurich.