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Some of that is true; but there are historical antecedents that explain the use of hops and malts... My company[1] builds quality control tools for artisan bev

Some of that is true; but there are historical antecedents that explain the use of hops and malts... My company[1] builds quality control tools for artisan beverage producers; we know that craft production is a batch process relying on agricultural grains with inherent variation. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be produced. Craft production is undoubtedly higher quality than any continuous production - it just takes more skill (or software tools..) to do correctly and consistently. Furthermore, the use of certain ingredients to reduce noticeable inconsistencies came at a time before process control was a known science. For example, hops were originally added to beer being shipped from England to India (hence the name India Pale Ale or IPA). Now, that practice didn't survive because of quality control - it has survived because people like the taste of IPAs and there is demand in the market for that flavor profile. Consumers don't think of skill of production when rating beers or whiskeys; they judge only the resulting flavor profile and are influenced by contextual clues such as age statements or 'hand made batch numbered artisan spirit' promises.

dllthomas 12y ago
"Craft production is undoubtedly higher quality than any continuous production - it just takes more skill (or software tools..) to do correctly and consistently." Craft production peaks at a higher quality than any continuous production, I think is what you're trying to say? Because obviously, those who fail to do it correctly or consistently are still engaged in "craft production".
- JasonCEC 12y ago
  Yes, that is what I meant :) If we take this a little further though, part of craft production is the curation; being willing to dump batches that don't meet your quality standard. Any producer who knowingly ships product below their quality standard is no longer engaded an artisan production. Unless this is the 'No true Scotsman' fallacy...
  - dllthomas 12y ago
    I think it certainly runs risk of "No true Scotsman". It also assumes that "their quality standard" is higher than that employed in the continuous production cases. I do think it's a good nudge for artisanal producers, which fits your role :-P

dllthomas 12y ago

"Craft production is undoubtedly higher quality than any continuous production - it just takes more skill (or software tools..) to do correctly and consistently." Craft production peaks at a higher quality than any continuous production, I think is what you're trying to say? Because obviously, those who fail to do it correctly or consistently are still engaged in "craft production".

JasonCEC 12y ago
Yes, that is what I meant :) If we take this a little further though, part of craft production is the curation; being willing to dump batches that don't meet your quality standard. Any producer who knowingly ships product below their quality standard is no longer engaded an artisan production. Unless this is the 'No true Scotsman' fallacy...
- dllthomas 12y ago
  I think it certainly runs risk of "No true Scotsman". It also assumes that "their quality standard" is higher than that employed in the continuous production cases. I do think it's a good nudge for artisanal producers, which fits your role :-P