4 Ingredients, Endless Possibilities: The Art of Crafting Beer

Have you ever savored a Double IPA beer that was brimming with tropical aromas and flavors and then wondered what goes on in such a fantastic brew?

The answer, unsurprisingly, lies in four simple ingredients: malt, water, hops, and yeast.?

These ingredients can produce hundreds of different beer styles with countless variations in the hands of masterful and imaginative brewers. And these brewers, coming from different corners of the world, preserve the craft culture that uses all-natural ingredients to make great tasting drinks for beer enthusiasts.?

On the flip side, you should know that not all breweries—even those claiming they’re brewing only “craft” beers—are staying true to using natural ingredients.?

?For many macro-breweries that’ve become household names, adjuncts like corn and rice are business essentials. They’re used in great quantities to lower costs compared to high-quality malt. The result: a beer with a light body, low flavor, and almost no aroma.??

If it’s worth the mention, macro-breweries really cater to a broader swath of drinkers, so cheaper alternatives that have bigger yields are the way to go.?

After some clarity about macro beers follows a bit of confusion about flavored craft beers.?

At Engkanto Brewery, we make Honey Ale and Mango Hazy IPA beers. Pure, all-natural honey and mango, handpicked by local apiaries and farms, are infused together with the four ingredients we’ve mentioned above. They’re part of our renowned brewmaster’s recipe, not last-minute additions.?

It harkens back to traditional beers such as the Belgian witbier, which uses coriander and orange peel, and sour beers that have real fruits.??

We believe that true creativity in brewing requires taking risks and trying new things. And so does adhering to the natural quality of beers and the ingredients to make them genuinely great.?

On the contrary, other craft breweries may seem to cut corners in chasing to delight customers. They’ll use artificial flavorings in their flavored craft beers.???

An article on VinePair took a closer look on the addition of ‘secret sauces’ by craft brewers. In it, Jason Pellett, Brewmaster of Orpheus Brewing, was quoted in this tweet: “It kind of bums me out that I feel it’s necessary to say that our coconut lime sour uses 100 percent actual coconut and lime, and not some amoretti bullsh*t.”??

On the other hand, Augie Carton of Carton Brewing said in his VinePair interview: “It doesn’t matter how much integrity and artistry you have, the kids want sugar water and will pay extra for it.”?

It’s still up for debate whether flavorings on craft beers are truly accepted or frowned upon in the industry, but perhaps it’s a matter of calling a spade a spade at the end of the day.?

All things considered, beer is and always has been a fun drink. It gathers and engages people in many great conversations. So go ahead and talk to the brewers or breweries you like before picking up some craft beers. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the greatest drink in the world.?

To know more about Engkanto Brewery visit www.engkanto.com.ph