Starting this thread based on a question in another thread; didn't want to send that one too far off-topic.
Here's what the Brewers Association says:
Here's another guy's take (and I don't know him from Adam, but he makes some interesting points) on why that definition is flawed
html034 said:Just wonderin what exactly is the line between "mainstream" and craft beer?
sam adams?
Sierra Nevada?
Here's what the Brewers Association says:
An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional.
Small: Annual production of beer less than 2 million barrels. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition.
Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer.
Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewers brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.
Here's another guy's take (and I don't know him from Adam, but he makes some interesting points) on why that definition is flawed