Large formats, such as 750ml sharing bottles, would also be a big focus for brewers and drinkers this year, according to Brooklyn Brewery and the House of Beers.
Brooklyn was also exhibiting its first sour beer, which is set to launch into the UK on-trade next week.
Sour beers will become bigger
The brewer behind Heineken’s new brand Maltsmiths agreed sours were going to become bigger this year but, importantly, craft would become more accessible to mainstream drinkers by becoming “more fun”.
One of Meantime’s brand ambassadors told MA strong beers were gaining interest, including its newly created 10% ABV Double Helix, which had been based on the DNA of head brewer Ciaran Giblin.
The beer forms part of the brewer’s Bespoke project, which aims to create one-of-a-kind brews based on consumers’ taste preferences, by using their DNA.
“It is 100 IBUs (international bitterness units), so it’s quite strong and bitter, and there’s a bit of a trend for this sort of beer at the moment,” said Meantime.
South Africa-based brewery Devil’s Peak predicted world beers would gain more focus in the UK this year, along with fruit beers, which had the potential to become very big, as well as barrel-aged.
Barrel-aged to gain more exposure
Innis & Gunn, a producer of barrel-aged beers, agreed the category would gain more exposure this year as drinkers look for different flavours in their beers.
The Scottish brewer added better craft, non-alcoholic beers would also gain momentum this year to appease consumer demand for products they can consume when they are not able to drink alcohol.
Watch this video to find out what just five of the many beer and cider exhibitors at Craft Beer Rising believe pubs and bars should be stocking in the year ahead.