What Are The Leading Craft Beer Manufacturing Countries Of The World?

It has grown tremendously in the last few decades and it doesn't show any signs of slowing down. With so many different breweries popping up all over the globe, it can be hard to keep track of them all.

So, what really is Craft Beer?

In short, it is a traditional fermented malt beverage made using hops that can be filtered or unfiltered and may include adjuncts such as maize or sugar, yeast, hops, barley and rye. Craft beers are brewed by small, independent breweries, usually owned and managed by small family units or a group of friends. They reflect local tastes and traditions, resulting in an ever-changing array of products that is not constrained to a particular region or place. The distinct feature of this type of beer is that these brewers hand pick the ingredients that go into it, and take a lot of time to create a high quality and extremely flavourful beverage. They produce these in small batches, since their primary aim is on taste and experience rather than big profits, unlike the mass-produced beer that you find in the market.

Craft beer is currently being produced all over the world, and these small batch breweries are popping up everywhere. The largest producer of craft beer in the world are:

• North America - 49%
• Europe - 22%
• Asia – 16%
• Latin America – 12%
• Africa – 0.06%.

These breweries produce many different styles of beer, from mild flavoured, light beers to much stronger, richer flavoured ones. This huge variety in taste, aroma, texture and appearance are what makes these beverages so popular among the beer loving population of the world.

The United States is the world's leading craft beer manufacturing country, accounting to almost half the quantity produced globally. Craft beer styles manufactured in USA include, India Pale Ale (IPA) and Lager. The most popular style among US drinkers is India Pale Ale, which makes up more than 50% of all sales in America. In contrast to this lagers account for only around 20%.

Canada ranks second in the world for their production of craft beer. Craft beer styles produced in Canada include, India Pale Ale and Porter.

India is one of the top producers of craft beer with more than 40% share on global market, and produce a range of styles, including Stout (Dark). Stout offers balanced flavours without adding any sweetness or bitterness to it. These are popular among those who want to savour every drop as they drink it slowly, and not only makes an excellent after dinner beverage but also pairs well with desserts like cheesecake.

Germany is also one of the top producers of craft beer in the world, followed by Belgium and Japan. German pilsners utilize Czech hops which give them their signature spicy flavour without being too overpowering like many other European lagers. They also produce Kolsch ales which tend to be light or pale yellow in colour because they're primarily brewed using barley malt. Other countries that rank highly on this list include Australia and Ireland. Countries with a lower ranking than those listed above are Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Ukraine.

Although the UK may not be a huge producer of craft beer, they also produce a considerable amount of it, since it has gained popularity among the beer loving population. Craft beer in London is served in many pubs for the discerning fan. Some styles manufactured in the UK include:

• Pale ale - a golden-coloured beer that has a hoppy flavour and aroma from English hops.
• India pale ale (IPA) - maltier, more bitter version of the traditional British Pale Ale with an intense hop character from American or New Zealand hops.
• English Porter - dark brown to black in colour because it is made with highly roasted barley malts which give it its distinctive dry chocolatey taste
• Belgian Triple - known for their fruity flavours and sweet aftertaste due to them being brewed using yeast strains found in grape musts instead of brewer's yeast.

With the improved flavour, aroma, and range of styles offered by craft breweries, it is fast becoming one of the most popular beverages of the world, and many agree that the taste of craft beer cannot be compared against the bland tasting mass-produced beer of the world. Even though the price of these artisan beverages may be on the high side, the flavour experience more than makes up for the increased spending, and the higher ABV means that a lesser quantity of beer will be consumed, thereby balancing the higher price aspect.

You can find many types of craft beer in London to suit each and every taste preference, and there are many brands available as well. Habesha Beer, Hackney Hopster and many other have become favourites among beer lovers for their unique taste, and can be purchased online as well as through pubs and beer shops. You can also taste some of the finest craft beers available if you attend one of the many beer festivals that are organised in London and elsewhere around the world.