Artisan Ales started from a small confusion that turns out to be a big one: the word ale. To a brewer, an ale is a whole family of beer. To everyone else, "ginger ale" is a soft drink in a green can. Both are made with care, both reward curiosity, and almost nobody writes about them well.
So we built one place for both. On one side: beer and ale – what an ale actually is, every style worth knowing, the ale house and its history, and how the stuff is made. On the other: ginger ale and craft sodas – the brands, the real-ginger question, the honest health answers, and what to mix them with. Tying it together is the larder – the bread, cheese, chocolate and coffee that belong beside a good drink.
How we write
Plainly, and without hype. We don't pretend a soft drink is medicine, and we don't pretend every beer is profound. When the evidence is thin, we say so. When a brand is worth seeking out, we say that too. Everything about alcohol is written for adults of legal drinking age, and we'd rather you drink less and better.
Independent
Artisan Ales is not owned by a brewery, a soda company, or a distributor. Where a link earns us a commission, the recommendation still has to stand on its own – we'd make it either way. If we ever can't say that honestly, we won't make the recommendation.
Tools
We build small, free instruments to go with the writing: an ABV calculator for homebrewers, a highball ratio calculator, and a beer & food pairing finder. They live in the tools section and you're welcome to embed them on your own site.
Questions, corrections, or a brand we've missed? Get in touch.