microbrew

noun

mi·​cro·​brew ˈmī-krō-ˌbrü How to pronounce microbrew (audio)
: a beer produced by a microbrewery
microbrewed adjective
microbrewing noun

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Microbrews are usually beers or ales made with special malts and hops, unfiltered and unpasteurized, and thus distinctive in their aroma and flavor. Many microbreweries double as bar/restaurants, called brewpubs, where the gleaming vats may be visible behind a glass partition. "Craft brewing" and the opening of local brewpubs began in earnest in the U.S. in the 1980s. But not everyone is willing to pay extra for a beer, and lots of people are simply used to the blander taste of the best-selling beers, so by 2008 microbrews still only accounted for about 4% of all beer sold in the U.S.

Examples of microbrew in a Sentence

The restaurant serves several locally produced microbrews.
Recent Examples on the Web Master brewer Steve Balzer makes use of fresh fruit from around the island in his specialty microbrews, which are reserved for members and guests. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2023 The poolside Pink Dolphin marries Mexican and Peruvian flavors serving tacos, ceviches, and chicken skewers, with refreshing cocktails; sparkling wines from France, Italy, and Argentina; and microbrews. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 4 Dec. 2023 For all the new, some familiar traditions will remain, including proper high tea service and, naturally, an outpost of the Golden Lion pub pouring Cunard’s own microbrews. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023 Nothing beats a lobster or crab sandwich and a microbrew at this shack with a terrace overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Tête d’Allumette: In St.-André-de-Kamouraska, this microbrewery uses a traditional wood fire to brew the beers served in the pub or on the terrace. Nina Caplan, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2023 Closer to the beach is Howler’s Beach Lounge, an al fresco spot that has the best carpaccio and fish tacos in town, plus Costa Rican microbrews on tap. Brent Rose, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2023 Food and microbrew trucks start serving at 6:30 p.m. in the green space. oregonlive, 27 June 2023 Both Seattle and Portland had more than twice the national average for consumption of microbrews or craft beers, which was 18%. Gene Balk, Anchorage Daily News, 26 May 2023 Mnuw Restaurant & Nautical Bar serves crowd-pleasing food and drinks — including microbrews from Yap’s own Stone Money Brewing Company — aboard a 170-foot phinisi schooner that's docked in front of Manta Ray Bay Resort. Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microbrew.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of microbrew was in 1985

Dictionary Entries Near microbrew

Cite this Entry

“Microbrew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microbrew. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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