Beer. The marvellous drink that elevates spirits! Well, it’s probably the alcohol, but nevertheless, you can’t argue that it’s damn good.
There are millions and millions of people out there, who reach for a mug of beer every time they feel happy. People drink it at home and gather with friends to celebrate at a bar. People drink it when their favourite team lifts the cup or even while their favourite team loses.
This feel-good beverage has been interlinked with our lives for centuries. It has valiantly stood the test of time. From being brewed in huge pots in taverns to being bottled in massive industrial plants, it definitely has come a long way.
While there’s no arguing that almost everyone loves a good mug of beer, yet there are many of us who don’t know much about it. Maybe we’re in so love with the drink that taking a look at its long, rich history never occurred to us or maybe we didn’t give it a thought before.
Well, here at Rohit Jafa Brewing Solutions blog, we are here to set things right. We believe that every man and woman should know the basics of their favourite brew like where it’s from, the different types and how to drink it. We mean if you’re going to drink it all through your life, why not learn a bit about it? After all, knowledge is power, ain’t it?
HAS BEER HAS BEEN AROUND FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS?
The first thing to know is that beer dates back a long time ago in history. The earliest known presence of this drink is around 3500-3100 BC in Western Iran, in the mountainous regions of Zagros. Archaeologists have uncovered Sumerian and Egyptian artefacts that prove the existence of this drink. In fact, ancient Egyptians used beer as currency.
And another important point to note is that Beer played a crucial role in saving civilisations. Long ago, when water was contagious and had hordes of pathogens, beer was safe, clean and helped to prevent the spread of diseases. Take a look at “How beer saved the World,” in this enlightening and entertaining documentary here.
SO, WHAT IS BEER EXACTLY?
Today there are thousands of types of beers. From mass-produced bottled beers to niche, flavourful craft beers, you can find something that your taste buds love. Though there are so many types of beer, all of them have the following ingredients: water, hops, yeast, some starch, a clarifying agent, and a flavouring agent.
It’s basically a fermented drink that is produced by the action of yeast on the starch. It’s full of essential vitamins, minerals and above all full of flavour and zing.
OK, GOT IT, BUT WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF BEER?
While one beer is different from the next one, all beer can be boiled down to the following eight types.
Ales – They make use of top fermenting yeast. They are further divided into:
- Wheat Beers – Cloudy beers with a light profile. It’s an ideal summertime drink.
- Brown Ale – A native beer of England, America, and Belgium. Brown ales from England have a nutty, malty flavour while that from America have a citrusy aroma.
- Pale Ales – Most popular type of beer in the world. Amber ale, blondes, American pale ales, Scotch ales and India pale ales are some examples.
Lager – These beers make use of bottom fermenting yeast. They have the following classifications:
- Pilsners – First brewed in Czechoslovakia, they have a fragrant hoppy aroma and are clear and light in colour.
- Bocks – Strong beers that are originally from Germany. They are malty and have little to no hops flavouring.
- Dunkels – They are dark brown and have a smooth, malty flavour.
- Porters and Stouts – Porter is a strong brown beer, while stouts are a stronger version of Porters.
WOW, THAT’S GREAT. NOW HOW DO I DRINK DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEERS?
In truth, a regular pint glass is sufficient to drink all kinds of beers. However, some glasses enhance the flavour profile of a few beers. For instance, pilsners have a particular type of glass that is smaller than pint glasses. They are tall, slender and help to reveal the carbonation and colour of pilsners.
Weizner is another glass that has a large round top and is ideal for wheat beers. Tulip glasses have a body that resembles the flower and are perfect for Scottish ales and IPAs.
With that said, remember that just because you aren’t sure of the glass to use for a particular type of beer, doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it. In fact, few beer connoisseurs swear that beers taste better in bottles and cans.
So, whatever rocks your boat!
ANYTHING ELSE THAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD OF BEERS?
Yes, we just want you to kindle the adventurer in you when it comes to beers. There are so many types available. Be brave and try out all that you can. Sure, it’s ok to have a favourite drink or two but explore and try new flavours. You’re sure to fall in love and enjoy the wonderful world of beer.
Rohit Jafa Brewing Solutions is one of the best Microbrewery consultant in India that helps you in microbrewery setup in India. We can be checked on www.microbreweryindia.com | Talk to us @ (+91)9811233358.