Microbrewery brought creativity back into brewing. 

Unlike mass breweries that produce fixed beer recipes in huge scale, micros are restless, and do not hesitate to experiment, dream, compose, innovate, try, create. Small-scale production leads to flexibility and allows for the uninterrupted expression of creativity.

Special release beers constitute an important manifestation of microbrewery creativity.  Historically, special release beers were seasonal such as Saison and Lambic at Belgium, Marzen and Octoberfest in Germany, Biere de Garde in France.  Special beers were brewed for various seasons, work occasions, celebrations, festivals, trade shows. In contemporary microbrewery though, special release beers are often one-off. They are produced as unique, one-of-a-kind creations, just like true art, and they are consumed until supplies last.  Sometimes they become so popular that the brewery produces them again, often in improved versions since special beers production accelerate learning, or they can even be converted into all-year permanent products.

A continuous flow of special release beers is the live manifestation of the brewer’s creative agenda, just like paintings coming out of a painter’s atelier. They enhance the creative interaction between brewer and consumer, they allow for unusual beer tasting, the use and testing of novel raw materials, and the continuous improvement of the brewery’s capabilities.

Since its inception, Craft is focused on creativity and has presented special release beers from day one.  Craft Smoked started as a one-off beer in 1997 and was converted into permanent beer due to its immense popularity.  Special release beers such as Imperial Stout, Abbey style, Christmas ale, Saison, Marzen have been presented throughout the years.  More recently, in February 2024, Hoppy Amber Lager was presented at Horeca trade show, a novel evolution of a dark German Lager that balances an abundant malt body with a creative mix of 5 hops. This beer was so popular that supplies did not last for long. The continuous presentation of special release beers is at the top of Craft’s creative agenda and next steps in this direction will be announced soon.  Beer lovers stay tuned for pleasant creative surprises coming soon!...