In the old days, beer was only draught. The barrels were wooden and often decorated the taverns of Central and Northern Europe—just as wooden wine casks once adorned old Greek taverns. Though the brewing setups of that era can’t compare to today’s in terms of quality, carbonation, and cooling, the primordial beer culture was built—and loved—around this very process.

As technology advanced, fast automated machines began packaging beer in cans and bottles. Beer could now be stabilized, pasteurized, carbonated, and safely transported over long distances. Automation reduced cost per unit and favored mass production.

Yet in recent years, draught beer (from the English verb to draw, meaning beer “drawn” from the barrel) has been steadily regaining ground. The technology behind it has evolved too: barrels are now mostly made of stainless steel, with wooden ones reserved for special brews and museums. Cooling systems ensure consistent temperature, carbonation, and quality. The advantages are many—draught beer is generally fresher, less or not at all pasteurized, moves faster through professional channels, and better protects the liquid from light and oxygen. It stays cold and carbonated until the very last sip, unlike bottles or cans that quickly warm and go flat after opening. It’s also perfectly eco-friendly, especially when using reusable metal kegs.

Beyond its technical merits, draught beer has been cherished because it reconnects beer to its long history and keeps alive the brewing culture. It’s served from a tap, just like in the old days. Glasses travel full and foamy through the restaurant—the foam being “the flower of beer,” as the Germans poetically call it—evoking medieval inns and inspiring beer lovers. The keg gives a sense of abundance; beer flows freely, seemingly endless, just like the cheer it inspires. In public spaces, draught beer builds communities, fosters culture, spreads joy, and drives social connection far more than its packaged cousins.

From its founding, Craft has wholeheartedly believed in draught beer. For the first five years of the brewery’s operation, it sold exclusively draught. Today it continues to invest heavily in kegs and draught systems, staying true to its devotion to the barrel. Craft loves the aesthetics of draught beer and deeply believes in its power to cultivate beer culture and community. While modern keg technology now guarantees perfect quality and taste, the true essence lies in its link to beer’s glorious past—the ancient drink that channels the creativity of the brewer as a modern alchemist, fostering culture, connection, joy, and communion among those who partake in this primal ritual, making life richer and more beautiful.