Understanding producer information
Beer labels include various phrases about who's responsible for the product. These terms have specific meanings, but they're not always clear to consumers.
Common phrases explained
"Brewed by" or "Brewed at"
This indicates the actual brewery that produced the beer. The brewery named is where the brewing happened. This is the most direct statement of origin.
"Brewed for" or "Produced for"
This means the beer was contract-brewed. Another brewery made the beer on behalf of the brand owner. The brand owner typically designs the recipe and owns the brand, but doesn't own the production facility. This is a common and legal practice, but the actual brewing location isn't stated.
"Distributed by" or "Imported by"
This tells you who's handling distribution or import, not who brewed the beer. The distributor may have no connection to the brewing process. You'll need to look elsewhere for producer information.
"Produced in [Country]"
This indicates the country of production but not the specific brewery. A beer "produced in Belgium" could be made by any of hundreds of breweries.
Why this matters
Knowing who actually brewed your beer helps you:
- Understand what you're paying for
- Make informed choices about supporting specific breweries
- Recognise when brands are produced by different breweries than you might assume
- Avoid confusion when the same brand is brewed in different locations for different markets
Contract brewing isn't bad
Contract brewing is a legitimate business practice. Many excellent beers are contract-brewed, and many breweries both brew their own brands and produce beers for others. The issue isn't the practice itself, but clarity about who made what.
What to look for
Checklist
- Look for "brewed by" or "brewed at" to find the actual producer
- If it says "brewed for", the actual brewery is different from the brand
- Check for a full address - this is often the clearest indicator
- Look for batch codes or brewery codes that might indicate the production site
Common scenarios
Brand vs brewery ownership
Many beer brands that appear independent are owned by larger brewing groups. The label might feature a small brewery's name and story, while the beer is actually produced at a facility owned by a multinational. This isn't necessarily disclosed on the label.
Multi-site production
Some brands are produced at multiple locations. A beer might be brewed in one country for sale there, and licensed or contract-brewed elsewhere for other markets. The "same" beer can taste different depending on where it was actually made.
"Gypsy" or "cuckoo" brewing
Some brewers don't own their own equipment but rent time at other breweries. They may be present during brewing and use their own recipes, or they may simply contract out production. Labels typically say "brewed for" or "brewed by [brand] at [location]".
If the label isn't clear
If you can't determine who actually brewed a beer from the label:
- Search online for the brand name plus "brewery" or "brewed by"
- Check the brand's website for production information
- Look for batch code formats that might indicate the facility
- Ask the retailer or bar staff