The Debate Over Popularity in Craft Beer Styles: Hops, Beer Trends, and Consumer Tastes

In the craft beer world, television screens and social media are constantly filled with discussions about beer styles, preferences, and trends. The rise of any given beer style often brings with it a mixed bag of benefits and challenges. In this article, we explore the complexities of popular craft beer styles, from the prevalence of certain hops to the challenges faced by craft brewers and beer enthusiasts alike.

Popularity and Styled Beer

Many argue that the popularity of a specific beer style can both bolster the craft beer industry and create problematic issues. When a particular style gains mainstream popularity, it can lead to a double-edged sword for breweries and consumers. On the one hand, the spotlight on a style can educate drinkers about different brewing techniques and flavors. For the industry, this often translates into increased sales and awareness. On the other hand, the overwhelming dominance of one style can limit the variety available to consumers, making it harder for beer enthusiasts to branch out and explore other flavors.

The Impact of Popularity on Beer Selections

When a style becomes popular, it can almost crowd out other styles on pub and brewery menus. Breweries catering to the mass market may focus exclusively on the style that is in vogue, reducing the range of options available to the public. For those who enjoy a specific style but wish to try something different, the lack of variety can be frustrating. The same can be said for enthusiasts who wish to explore other styles but are limited by the narrow range of available options.

Money Talks: Cash In on Popularity

Breweries may tout new styles as a way to stand out from the competition. Often, this leads to poorly designed or over-the-top interpretations of a style that don’t necessarily improve the quality of the beer. Hoppy styles are a classic example. The rise of hoppy beers has led to a trend where breweries attempt to outshine one another with more and more hops. However, this trend can result in less attention to the balanced aspects of the beer, such as malt sweetness and dark specialty grains that can mask off flavors. These additions often cover flavors more effectively than hops, underscoring the misconception that hops are used to cover up flaws in the beer.

Common Myths and Misunderstandings

One common misconception is that brewers use hops to mask the flaws in their beer. However, this is a widely held but incorrect assumption. Brewers use malt sweetness and dark specialty grains to mask off flavors, not hops. No brewery intentionally sets out to produce a poorly made beer and then hide it with extra hops. Adding hops after fermentation does not improve the beer; it simply brings in more aroma without flavor.

The Rise of Non-Hoppy Beer Styles

Despite the popularity of hoppy beers, there are numerous beer styles that are not hoppy. Wheat beers, porter, brown ale, and even stout are just a few examples of popular American styles that have become increasingly popular. The rise of hard seltzers might seem to support the hoppy beer trend, but it can also be attributed to other factors, such as convenience and Non-alcoholic preferences.

Conclusion

The popularity and trends in craft beer styles are complex issues that involve both benefits and challenges. While the rise of new styles can educate consumers and drive innovation, it can also limit diversity and compromise the quality of some beers. Brewers and consumers should work together to ensure that beer styles remain both diverse and of high quality. Understanding the myths and misconceptions around brewing methods and styles is key to making informed choices and enjoying the full spectrum of craft beer.