One of the main arguments in favor of contract brewing is the ability to produce on a large scale while respecting artisanal craftsmanship. The idea that outsourced production sacrifices authenticity and tradition no longer holds up in the face of medals from international competitions.
Award-winning beers demonstrate that contract breweries are not simply mass-production factories but artisans capable of faithfully reproducing complex and delicate recipes. For example, some contract brewers invite their clients to oversee production, ensuring that the original recipes and brewing process are rigorously followed.
Contract breweries, like BCB, also offer tailored solutions, where each step of the process is adjusted to meet the specific needs of the client. Their infrastructures enable brewing under optimal conditions, ensuring consistency and regular quality.
Breaking down prejudices
Despite the success of contract-brewed beers, certain prejudices remain. One of the most common is the belief that these beers are produced on an industrial scale at the expense of quality. In reality, this is an unfair generalization. Contract brewing does not imply a lack of control or a relaxation of quality standards.
On the contrary, the flexibility of contract brewing allows brands to test new recipes, innovate, and improve their processes without the constraints of managing their own brewery. The expertise of partner breweries also helps maintain a high level of quality, reflected in the medals won.
Because the clients of contract brewers, such as breweries or beer firms, place high demands on the quality of the contract brewery they work with, the contract brewery must meticulously monitor the quality of the process and the finished beer. Only in this way can consistency and compliance be ensured. Often, this is done according to the client’s specifications.
The fact that contract-brewed beers are awarded in prestigious competitions demonstrates that these beers meet the same quality standards as beers produced in more traditional ways. This recognition helps dismantle preconceptions and promote a more modern and open view of brewing.
The advantages of contract brewing in competitions
The success of contract-brewed beers in competitions can be explained by several factors:
- Increased production capacity: Contract breweries often have larger and more modern facilities, allowing for large-scale production while maintaining consistent quality.
- Reducing financial risks: By outsourcing production to a contract brewery, certain high-risk investments in production facilities or additional capacity can be avoided or postponed.
- Technical expertise: These breweries, such as BCB, are run by experienced master brewers who can faithfully reproduce recipes while ensuring optimal quality.
- Recipe compliance: Using specialized software and strict process management, contract breweries ensure that the client’s recipes are followed down to the finest detail.
- Flexibility: Contract brewing allows brewers to test new recipes or produce limited editions, such as seasonal beers, without compromising quality.
Conclusion
Contract brewing is emerging as a modern, flexible, and high-quality production solution. The numerous contract-brewed beers that have won medals in international competitions show that this method does not compromise quality; quite the opposite. Thanks to the modern facilities and expertise of contract breweries, these beers meet the highest standards of taste, authenticity, and consistency.
It is time to move past prejudices and recognize contract brewing for what it is: a model capable of producing high-quality beers that are celebrated and enjoyed worldwide.