Beer: varieties and their description. Famous brands and best beers

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages. It is made from m alt, which is created by germinating barley seeds. The composition of high-quality beer explains the presence of a large amount of vitamins and trace elements in it. Whatever skeptics and opponents of this drink may say, it is useful. But, of course, we are talking about a quality product that is produced only from good and correct raw materials. Today it is very difficult to understand a large number of varieties and brands of beer. But there are certain quality standards and time-tested products from the best manufacturers.

A bit of history

Where did this amazing drink come from - beer? Its varieties are very numerous today. Since ancient times, it has been mentioned in folklore along with honey. It was perceived as a simple drink and was not associated with alcohol. At first, the term "beer" meant any alcoholic drink created artificially. Then Ol appeared. This is a drink that resembles beer, but thicker and stronger. It was prepared forbased on barley, hops, wormwood, potions and herbs. It is believed that beer owes its existence to bakery. The drink was not immediately recognized. Once upon a time, people drank more wine. But during the isolation of Russia due to the Tatar-Mongol yoke, the church was forced to use beer (strong) in religious rites.

Slowly this drink became popular. The church received a permit for brewing and began to expand its production. Initially, beer was made by fermenting rye m alt and warm water. It was produced in large quantities. They brewed beer on major holidays, and the whole community participated in this. The advantages of the drink were considered affordable raw materials and tax exemption. But the complexity of the process did not add to its popularity.

A few facts

Beer contains many useful substances that are preserved during the brewing process. Especially a lot of vitamin B in it. This drink contains carbon dioxide, which helps to speed up blood supply and kidney function. Beer includes about 30 trace elements and minerals. They are contained in m alt, the initial raw material. But, of course, there are harmful substances in the foamy drink that are contraindicated in large quantities, especially for pregnant women and children. And in general, you need to know the measure in everything in order to give yourself pleasure, benefit, and not harm.

Classification

Beer names that can be seen on store shelves or in bars mean nothing to many. We are accustomed to buying a drink that tastes familiar without thinking about the composition or quality. But today it's acceptedsubdivide beer, whose varieties are very numerous, into several categories. This drink is distinguished depending on the technology of preparation and the raw materials used. The main categories in the classification are dark, light and wheat beer. Of course, this is not a complete list.

Dark beer

Dark beer is a low-alcohol drink. It is produced by alcoholic fermentation. Hops, barley m alt and water are used as raw materials. The rich color of the drink is due to the high degree of roasting of the m alt and its quantity. Caramelized dark m alt is used to make this beer.

It is worth noting that when roasted, it loses the enzymes that are needed to sugar the wort. Therefore, dark beers are always produced using raw materials used for the production of light drinks. A distinctive feature of this species is a characteristic m alt flavor and hop bitterness, but in moderation. The division of the drink into categories by color is not accepted in all countries. This classification is used in Russia and some European countries.

Dark beer: what are the varieties

Stout beer is classified as a top-fermented beer. The color comes from the dark hops used in the production. Stout beer has the aroma of roasted m alt and high viscosity. In turn, it is divided into bitter and sweet varieties. Ale is another type of dark beer. It has a golden brown hue. It is produced only in Britain and Belgium.

Porter - beerstrong, medium density. Initially, it was alcohol of three types: old ale, strong and weak beer. It was an unripe drink. Now it is a bottom-fermented variety with a dark color and a sweetish taste. And finally, March beer, which is made from heavily roasted m alt. This drink matures the longest, contains more alcohol and has a viscous structure. This beer is strong.

Light beer

This species is characterized by a foamy structure, excellent aroma and softness of taste, although all these indicators depend on the variety. The composition of beer includes m alt wort and brewer's yeast, which contribute to the fermentation process. The drink has a pronounced hop bitterness. For cooking, light varieties of m alt are used, and the color depends on the degree of roasting. Dark m alt is also added, but its percentage is minimal.

The process of making light beer

The quality of beer largely depends on the technology of its preparation. This process begins with the germination of cereal plants, usually barley is taken. Then the sprouts are cleaned and dried. After that, the m alt is crushed and mixed with water. As a result, the starch is broken down and the desired sugar level is reached. Now proceed to extract the wort. To do this, the resulting mixture is filtered. Next, hops are added to the wort and the drink is boiled. In the process, the hops give off some of the oils and resins that make the beer aromatic and tasty. This is followed by the separation of the remains of hops and barley, or the clarification of the wort. Then it is pumped into the fermentation tank, as a result of which the wort is saturated with oxygen,necessary for the fermentation process, and brewer's yeast is added. After a few weeks or even months (depending on the variety), maturation occurs. It turns out unfiltered beer.

This drink is stored for a very short time and is called alive. As a result of filtration, yeast residues are removed, and the shelf life is increased. But many people prefer light, unfiltered beer. Further pasteurization is carried out in order to reduce the activity of microorganisms and extend the shelf life. However, as many believe, the taste of beer is reduced from this. Pasteurization is used to fill the drink into cans and bottles.

Wheat beer

This is a beer brewed with wheat m alt. In some countries, wheat is used for this, which has not sprouted. This drink is considered ideal for drinking in the summer, in the heat. Beer names contain the phrase Weiss beer. It quenches thirst well, has a delicious aroma, abundant foam and citrus notes.

Wheat beer comes in three varieties. German - called Weisen or Weissbier. The Belgian drink is witbier. The third type is sour wheat beer. Here you can highlight the German Weiss or Gose and Belgian lambic. Each variety is distinguished by its unique taste and aroma, which depend on the cooking technology.

Classification by processing method

Unpasteurized beer is distinguished here, which is stored from 8 to 30 days, depending on whether it is a light drink ordark. If stabilizers are added, then the shelf life increases to three months. The use of preservatives increases this figure to one year. Pasteurized beer goes through additional processing steps. The deflated drink is cold sterilized.

Camp varieties

This is a special kind of beer that is flavored with fruit. The product is distinguished by a cooking technology similar to the production of wine. The best beers are light-coloured beers, although dark beers are also found. A small amount of hops is used in production, so the product has a light and mild taste. Many Pilsner, Bocks, Doppelbocks beers are referred to as lager beers. Pilsner was the first clear drink made in the Czech Republic. Lager beers have gradually taken over the market, displacing many wheat variants.

Porter

Porter is a beer made from three types of ale: mature, young and light. So says authoritative brewing documentation. Mixing drinks with different degrees of maturity has created a product with a pleasant and moderate taste. In the beginning, this beer was very strong. The technology of its preparation was not particularly thorough.

The popularity of the drink began to fall, and it was replaced by ale and lager varieties. But with the development of home breweries there was a revival of porter, and today it occupies a worthy place in the total mass of production. The best varieties of this drink include Anchor Porter, Catamount Porter, Fuller's London Porter, Wachusett's Black ShackPorter, Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter and some others.

Live beer from Schmikbirwerk Brewery

Finding quality beer is not easy. The manufacturer must comply with the technology and use only the best ingredients. However, the small brewery Schmikbirwerk, located in the Vladimir region, produces only the best drinks. All ingredients are sourced from Germany and water is taken from a local artesian well. This is a live beer that is not bottled, so you can only buy it on tap. Live yeast bacteria continue to live even in glasses. This is the highlight of the drink. Unfiltered beer has a brighter and more original taste due to the yeast sediment. Although yeast is not used in the production of beer. This product has a short shelf life, so it is impossible to find a live drink on the shelves (in bottles). But it retains all its properties when frozen. Live beer has a good, dense foam that persists to the bottom of the glass. Its color is light, but cloudy. The taste has a pronounced floral bouquet, with a slight sourness and sweet, caramel hues. This beer is not a strong alcohol. We can say that this is a drink for true connoisseurs.

Bok, or bok-beer

This is a strong drink of Bavarian origin. A low-fermentation dark beer that matures for an additional few months in special refrigerators. Here you can select varieties: Maibock, Bock, Double Bock, Eisbock and Helles Bock. Under the influence of low temperature, part of the water freezes out andincreases the strength of the drink. The Dornbusch Bock variety is produced in compliance with all the traditions of the monasteries of Munich. Harpoon Maibock is a bock beer classic. This variety has a rich chestnut color, excellent taste with hints of m alt and hops.

Gez beer

This is a special beer that looks and tastes like champagne. The best Belgian brewers use the technology of champagne production. This is a combination of young and old lambics (spontaneously fermented beer), which, in the process of repeated fermentation, creates an extraordinary taste. The drink is poured into special bottles with a concave bottom. Thanks to a special closure method, the products resemble sparkling wine bottles.

Then the beer is aged for about 2 more years. It turns out a highly carbonated, sparkling and slightly cloudy drink. It has a slightly tart aroma and a slightly sour taste with fruity undertones. The most popular gueuze varieties are Jacobins Gueuze, Cantillon Gueuze, Boon Gueuze, Cuvee Rene and Oude Gueuze. They must be refrigerated before use. Pour the drink into champagne flutes or other similar utensils.

Smoked beer

These varieties are cooked very rarely. Green m alt is dried over an open fire using beech wood. This is where the smoky flavor comes from. These beers are usually dark in color and resemble Oktoberfestbier. Sometimes they use m alt dried on a peat fire. But from this the taste of beer becomes different. The best brands of smoked beer are Rogue's Smoke Ale, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen &Ur-Bock, Jinx. These producers keep all traditions of production and use only the best raw materials.

Numerous brands and varieties of beer - this is a chance to discover the bright notes of a foamy drink, choosing for yourself the type that will fully satisfy all preferences and taste preferences.