Craft Beer vs Draught Beer: What’s the Real Difference?

Craft beer and draught beer are two of the most common choices on any bar menu, but the difference between them isn’t always obvious. Some assume one is fresher. Others think one is stronger. And more than a few believe they’re the same thing in different packaging.

Here’s a straightforward take on what sets craft apart from draught, and why it matters when you're choosing your next pour.

What Exactly Is Craft Beer?

Craft beer is passion in a pint. It comes from small, independent breweries that focus on innovation, quality, and flavour. These brewers aren't focused on mass production; they're here to push boundaries with creativity and premium ingredients.

Here’s what defines craft beer:

• Independent Production: Brewed by small brewers who own at least 75% of the company and operate without corporate control.

• Small Batches, Big Flavour: Crafted in limited quantities, often featuring seasonal or limited-edition blends.

• Ingredient Obsession: Made with high-quality, often local ingredients,  no fillers or shortcuts.

• Flavour Exploration: From chocolate porters to mango IPAs, brewers experiment with bold, unexpected flavour profiles.

• Community Vibe: Often rooted in local culture with strong neighborhood connections.

At Boho Bar, our rotating craft taps feature a diverse selection, including tropical IPAs, festive holiday brews, and exclusive small-batch releases. 

What Do We Mean by Draught Beer?

Draught beer refers to the method of serving, not a specific type of brew. It is typically poured from a keg using a pressurised tap system. This includes a wide range of beer styles, from crisp lagers to full-bodied stouts.

Defining features of draught beer:

• Straight from the Source: Stored in pressurized kegs and served directly through a tap system, usually behind the bar.

• Fresher Flavour: Keg storage limits exposure to oxygen and sunlight, preserving the beer’s intended taste.

• Consistent Taste: CO₂ systems maintain stable carbonation, delivering smooth pours with every pint.

• Quick to the Pour: Draught beer often reaches the tap within days of brewing, unlike bottled beer, which may sit longer.

• Chill Factor: Served cold and fizzy for ultimate refreshment.

Evolution of Craft and Draught Beer

The way we brew and serve beer has changed over time, shaped by both tradition and innovation. Here’s how craft and draught beer developed into what we enjoy today.

Craft Beer: Small Batches with Big Ideas

The craft beer movement gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in the US and UK. Beer enthusiasts began experimenting with brewing to create alternatives to mass-produced lagers. By the 1980s, independent breweries were using unique ingredients, traditional recipes, and local influences to offer more variety and flavour.

The result was a shift in focus from mass production to quality, creativity, and hands-on brewing.

Draught Beer: From Tradition to Tap

Draught beer has roots going back to the 1600s, when it was served directly from casks using hand pumps. The word “draught” itself comes from the practice of drawing beer from the container.

Over time, tap systems improved. Wooden casks were replaced with stainless steel kegs, and CO₂ systems helped preserve freshness. By the 1970s, draught beer became the standard in bars and pubs for its crispness and consistent pour.

Today, both mainstream lagers and craft beers are available on draught, combining modern serving methods with a range of beer styles.

Craft Beer vs Draught Beer: At a Glance

Let’s line them up side-by-side. Here’s a cheat sheet that breaks down the key differences:

Feature	Craft Beer	Draught Beer
Brew Size	Small batch	Any size (often large-scale)
Taste	Bold, unique, experimental	Crisp, consistent
Alcohol Content (ABV)	Usually higher (5-12% or more)	Typically moderate (4-6%)
Serving Style	Bottled, canned, or kegged	Always kegged and served from a tap
Availability	Limited/local	Widely available
Identity	Brewing method/style	Serving method

While both have their own appeal, the choice between craft and draught depends on your preference for flavour variety or serving style.

Breaking Down the Differences: Flavour, Brewing, and Beyond

Let’s take a closer look at what sets craft beer and draught beer apart, from flavour and brewing methods to how each one is served.

1. Let’s Talk flavour (And ABV)

If you enjoy bold flavours, craft beer offers a wide variety from citrusy IPAs and chocolaty stouts to spiced ales and fruity blends. These beers are brewed for flavour exploration and often feature a higher ABV, giving a stronger kick with fewer sips.

Draught beers, on the other hand, are known for their smoothness and balance. A light lager or a malty amber, when poured directly from the keg, retains its freshness, highlighting subtle notes and delivering a crisp finish.

2. How They’re Made (And Why That Matters)

The brewing process plays a major role in shaping the beer experience. Craft and draught beers follow different paths, and understanding why they’re made this way helps explain the unique qualities you’ll find in each.

Craft Beer Brewing: Small Batches, Big Personality

Craft beer is all about precision and creativity. Here's why it matters:

• Small batches - More control over quality: Craft brewers focus on creating something exceptional, batch by batch. This ensures the beer is unique and full of character.

• Premium ingredients - Bold flavours: With the best malts, hops, and yeasts, craft beer has rich, layered flavours that tell a story in every sip.

• Unfiltered and unpasteurized - Extra texture: These methods bring out the full body and depth of the beer, giving it a distinct taste that’s hard to replicate.

• Bottle-conditioned - Evolution over time: This technique allows the beer to age, developing new flavours as it rests in the bottle.

• Experimentation - Always something new: Craft brewers are always exploring new combinations, ensuring each beer is a creative masterpiece.

Draught Beer Brewing: Consistency on Tap

Draught beer focuses on scale and reliability, which is key for getting the same experience with every pour:

• Mass production - Reliable quality: Draught beer is made with consistency in mind, ensuring each pour tastes just as it should.

• Filtered and pasteurized - Longer shelf life: These processes prevent spoilage and help keep the flavour stable over time.

• Pressurized kegs - Freshness and carbonation: Kegs maintain the right pressure to keep the beer fresh and fizzy, delivering the right taste every time.

• Focus on high output - Consistent experience: Draught beer delivers a smooth, reliable pour, whether you're at a bar or at home.

Both brewing methods serve distinct purposes, with craft beer showcasing artistry and innovation, while draught beer prioritizes consistency and freshness. Understanding these differences enhances your appreciation of the beer in your glass.

3. Packaging & Pouring: Looks, Freshness, and That First Sip

You’ll usually find craft beer in bottles or cans with artsy labels that hint at what’s inside: tropical hops or smoky malts. There’s often a little description with ABV, flavour notes, and even food pairing tips. Cans also block out light and oxygen better, so what you taste is closer to what the brewer intended.

Draught beer skips the fancy packaging for a straight shot of freshness. Pulled straight from chilled kegs through a clean tap line, draught pours are smooth, cold, and ready to go. Since the keg keeps out air and light, you get a crisper, cleaner sip every time.

Cracking open a can at home or ordering a pint at the bar can change how your beer tastes and how you experience it.

4. The Experience: Sips, Buzz, and Beer Vibes

Craft beer is usually higher in alcohol and lower in preservatives. It’s not made for chugging. It’s for sipping slowly, maybe while pairing it with a smoky BBQ plate or a funky cheese board. It is bold, flavourful, and worth taking your time with.

Draught beer, especially lighter ones, is built for chill sessions. It’s refreshing, easy to drink, and lets you enjoy a couple without going overboard. Perfect for game nights, long chats at the bar, or summer afternoons that turn into evenings.

Just a heads-up: Beer might have antioxidants, but that doesn’t make it a wellness drink. Craft or draught, know your buzz, pace your pours, and drink for the joy, not the count.

5. Serving Temperature & Glassware: More Than Just Looks

How your beer is served can totally change the way it tastes, and this is where craft and draught beers take different routes.

Craft beers are usually treated with extra care when it comes to pouring. The temperature? Just right to bring out bold flavours. The glass? Chosen to match the style like tulip glasses for stouts or snifters for Belgian ales. Some of them look fancy enough to be in a wine tasting, but it’s all about the experience. Even a couple of degrees can change the aroma and feel.

Draught beer keeps it simple and refreshing. It’s served cold, crisp, and ready to be poured into a pint glass or mug. You’re not analyzing flavour notes, you’re just enjoying an ice-cold beer with your pizza or pals. No fuss, just freshness.

Bottom line: craft beer is curated, draught beer is casual. Both know how to show up, just in their own way.

6. Shelf Life & Freshness: Handle With Care

Beer doesn’t last forever, and how it holds up depends a lot on how it’s brewed and stored.

Craft beers, especially those that are unfiltered or bottle-conditioned, can be a bit sensitive. They don’t love light, heat, or oxygen. Some might age well for a bit, but leave that IPA in the sun too long and it’ll lose all its charm. That’s part of the deal that craft beer is made to be enjoyed fresh, ideally the way the brewer intended.

Draught beers, on the other hand, are sealed tight in kegs and kept chilled until tapped. That keeps them tasting fresh for weeks, but once a keg is open, the countdown begins. Most bars aim to finish a keg within 30 days before the flavour starts to fade.

Takeaway: Craft beer needs a little more care, but rewards you with bold character. Draught beer stays fresh and easygoing, ready when you are.

7. What About the Price Tag?

Craft beers usually come with a higher price. You’re paying for small-batch brewing, specialty ingredients, and often some creative packaging.

Draught beers, especially commercial ones, tend to be easier on the wallet. You’ll find them in happy hour deals, beer towers, and party pitchers. Built for sharing and sipping without overthinking the tab.

So, if you’re after bold flavours and don’t mind the splurge, craft’s your pick. If it’s about easy refreshment and value, draught’s a solid bet.

Conclusion: So, Which One’s for You?

Let’s settle it once and for all: there’s no craft beer vs draught beer here. It’s about the vibe, the moment, and your personal taste.

• Want bold flavours and small-batch charm? Go craft.

• Craving freshness and easy sipping? Tap into a draught.

At Boho Bar Sarjapur, we pride ourselves on offering something for every beer lover. From the tropical punch of an IPA to the smoothness of a classic lager, there’s a perfect pour waiting for you.

Why not stop by our Sarjapur branch to see what’s currently on tap? Your next round is ready. Come raise a glass with us at Boho!