Craft Beer vs Draft Beer: What’s The Difference?

The world of alcohol can lead you down a deep rabbit hole as you understand the differences and nuances between different alcoholic beverages. Beer is undoubtedly one of the most popular alcoholic beverages around the globe thanks to its pleasant taste and moderate alcohol content that serves as a good entry point for beginner drinkers.

If you’re new to the world of beer you’ll hear the terms ‘draft beer’ and craft beer thrown around a lot which might go over your head. So here’s a basic rundown of what are craft and draft beers as well as the major differences between them.

What is Draft Beer?

Draft beer can trace its roots all the way back to the Middle Ages when medieval European monks started the practice of storing ale in wooden barrels. Over the centuries it was called simply beer, but after the invention of the beer engine in 1785, it began to be called by different names starting with draught beer’ until everyone settled for ‘draft beer’ in the early 20th century.

To put it simply, draft beer is the good old classic beer brewed and served straight out of the tap from a brewery. This is why the only way to get a proper taste of draft beer is to go to a brewery with a tasting room or bar that serves freshly brewed beer. The breweries are often located in the bar premises, and if not, from somewhere nearby.

Draft beer is appreciated by its fans thanks to it fresh, crispy, and bodied flavour which is why the freshness matters. Never be scammed with those canned beers that have ‘draft beer’ slapped over them since the point of draft beer is having it as fresh as possible. Draft beer has a smooth, bittersweet taste that varies from brewery to brewery but usually doesn’t contain any added flavours.

To preserve the freshness and flavour of the beer, draft beer is usually stored in wooden kegs or pressurised metal containers to prevent it from coming in touch with light or air. Draft beer is quite popular in Singapore, with many beer bars spread across the city, specialising in draft beer.

What is Craft Beer

Compared to draft beer, craft beer is a fairly modern invention, with the trend starting out in the early ‘60s by Anchor Brewery in California. The concept of craft beer was simple- make quality beers in small batches that had better flavour and stronger alcohol content compared to the ones usually found in pubs. The concept became a smash hit initially but never took off because most people were happy with a regular draft or canned beer.

The concept remained dormant until the early ‘90s when it suddenly became popular again due to the lack of variety in taste in the preceding decades and the market demand for something new. Since then many successful craft beer breweries have popped up all over the world, including Singapore. Within just a few short decades the craft beer industry has gotten surprisingly large in terms of flavor variety, with the pop-up of many craft beer delivery marketplaces online such as Quality Drops Beer.

Unlike the original craft beer of the ‘60s that focused on brewing small batches of quality but traditional beer, modern craft beers stand out thanks to the variety in styles and taste. Fruit-flavored ones are the most popular ones, but there are also more niche flavors like rosewater or vanilla. These beers are often found in stores and supermarkets canned, but like draft beer many breweries specialize in freshly brewed craft beer as well.

But for many beer aficionados, these flavored beers are not true craft beer as they don’t stick to the original roots of artisan-made local beer. Nevertheless, flavored canned beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages among the youth in the last few decades.

Difference Between Draft and Craft Beer

Now that you have a good understanding of these two types of beers let’s take a look at the primary differences between draft beer and commercial beer.

Flavour: Draft beer is unflavored, which gives it a bittersweet flavour. Craft beer, on the other hand, is packed with a variety of flavours thanks to the different mashes used by the different brands. The flavours can range from lemon mint to chocolate.

Serving: Draft beer is served freshly out of the tap, which contributes to its rich taste. Craft Beer, on the other hand, doesn’t have the fresh factor since it’s often bottled and canned.

Styles: Draft beer lacks variety and style. Craft beer, on the other hand, is filled with numerous styles and options, such as cider, pale ale, IPA, DIPA, stout, and more. This variety ensures there’s something for everyone.

Buy Quality Craft Beer Online in Singapore

When it comes to shopping for craft beer online, there’s a wide assortment of options available for beer home delivery in Singapore. Quality Drops Beer is one of the best places to purchase good craft beer in Singapore at reasonable prices. Their collection of highly-curated craft beer from some of the best local and foreign micro-breweries makes them a standout.

Final Thoughts

With all of this explained, you should now have an easier time deciding which kind of beer you want to drink. Our suggestion: Go for both. Have a draft beer on a weekend with friends or after work with colleagues while enjoying your chilled craft beer when you’re at home chilling and relaxing. You’ll have the best of both worlds since both types offer very different experiences.