Craft beer

Ardèche craft beer, an authentic taste

If you are a fan of good things, you have certainly already tasted craft beer . If not, quickly order one of our bottles: you will discover the flavor of a real brew. And for connoisseurs, you will appreciate the passion of our brewers through a variety of craft beers made according to the rules of the art.

What is a craft beer?

A craft beer is not an industrial beer… It meets very specific requirements.

For the record, craft beer is primarily prepared for its taste, which is so much richer than that of industrial drinks. It began to develop in the 1970s in the United States. In France, at that time, there were about ten craft brewers, compared to more than 1,000 today. This means that craft beer is increasingly popular, and rightly so!

This type of beer is produced by a craftsman, officially registered as such. In principle, he employs a maximum of 10 employees and carries out his activity in complete independence. A traditional brewer does not depend on any large producer , neither legally nor financially. He has his own equipment, and the annual production of craft beer must not exceed 200,000 hectoliters or 170,000 barrels.

Beyond these details, it is above all the quality and taste that make the difference . A craft beer is prepared entirely with traditional ingredients, unlike industrial ones who sometimes use corn or rice to increase their profits.

So what's in a craft beer?

A craft beer is made from noble and quality ingredients. It contains the following components:

• Traditional cereal malts (barley, wheat, oats, etc.).

• Hops : there are many varieties. This aroma is used to give bitterness and taste to the preparation.

• Yeasts , essential for transforming raw materials into alcohol.

• Water , of course.

Ardèche beer must not contain preservatives or chemical additives. The artisan brewer favors natural products, often with local ingredients. Even if beer is not anchored to the terroir in the same way as wine, today we find original drinks that integrate emblematic ingredients of the region into their recipes.

How is craft beer made?

Craft beer brewing is done almost manually , the entire process is monitored, unlike industrial beer production which is automated.

The brewer begins by choosing his malt. This is made up of several grains, generally with 70% barley. The malt determines the color of the beer (light, amber, brown or smoky) and represents the first criterion for ensuring the quality of the brew, that is to say the vintage. Once chosen, it is worked by successive soakings and dryings in order to promote its maturation, then crushed.

The crushed malt is then subjected to mashing , which aims to extract the starch. This involves brewing the malt in hot water, in several stages. This produces the mash, which will be filtered. The wort (liquid) is then separated from the cake (solid). This stage is crucial for determining the sugar density of the liquid, which in turn will determine the alcohol content of the final drink.

Next comes the boiling stage and the addition of hops to flavor the craft beer . A passage through the "whirlpool" will separate the liquid from the hop residue. Once cooled, it is ready for fermentation , where the yeasts transform the sugars into alcohol. This phase can last ten days or more depending on the brewers.

All that remains is to bottle it. The Ardèche beer can be stored for another ten days for refining, before being tasted.

Our best Ardèche craft beers

Fans of blonde, brown or bitter IPA beer, you will find what you are looking for among our craft beers made in the heart of Ardèche .

• Calude hoppy IPA+++ beer , for connoisseurs and discerning palates. Ideal for aperitifs between craft beer lovers.

• The Gratte-cul beer is tangy and fruity , flavored with rosehip (cynorhodon) which grows in the Ardèche mountains. A local beer, to be enjoyed with a good artisanal sausage from the region.

• Jeannette beer , a beautiful light blonde that accompanies all your good times. It is ideal for introducing your guests to craft beer and discovering its authentic taste.

To accompany your Ardéchoise artisanal beer, discover our organic crisps , our artisanal terrines or even our black and green tapenades .