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

Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages. Produce it from malt, which is created by germinating the seeds of barley. The composition of a quality beer explains the presence in it of a large number of vitamins and trace elements. Whatever the skeptics and opponents of this drink asserted, it is useful. But, of course, we are talking about a quality product that is produced only from good and regular 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 products from the best manufacturers, proven by time.

A bit of history

Where did this amazing drink come from - beer? Today its varieties are very numerous. From ancient times he was mentioned in folklore on a par with honey. He was perceived as a simple drink and was not associated with alcohol. First the term "beer" meant any alcoholic beverage created artificially. Then ol appeared. It is a drink that resembles a beer, but more dense and strong. It was prepared on the basis of barley, hops, wormwood, potions and herbs. It is believed that beer owes its existence to bakery. The drink was not recognized immediately. Once people used more wine. But in times of Russia's isolation because of the Tatar-Mongol yoke, the church was forced to use beer (strong) in religious rituals. Gradually, this drink became popular. The church received permission to brew and began to expand its production. Initially, the beer was prepared by fermenting rye malt and warm water. It was produced in large quantities. Brewed the same beer on the big holidays, and this involved the whole community. Pros of the drink was considered available raw materials and exemption from taxes. But the laboriousness of the process did not add to his popularity.

Few facts

The composition of beer includes many useful substances that remain in the process of cooking. Especially a lot of vitamin B in it. This drink contains carbon dioxide, which contributes to the acceleration of blood supply and kidney function. Beer includes about 30 microelements and minerals. They are contained in malt, raw materials. But, of course, there are also harmful substances in the foam drink, which are contraindicated in large numbers, especially to pregnant women and children. And in general, in everything you need to know the measure, to please, benefit, not harm.

Classification

The names of beer, which can be seen on the shelves of the store or in bars, much about anything they do not say. We are used to buying a drink that is familiar to the taste, without thinking about the composition or quality. But today it is customary to subdivide beer, the varieties of which 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 beverage. It is made by the method of alcoholic fermentation. Hops, barley malt and water are used as raw materials. The saturated color of the drink is explained by the high degree of roasting of malt and its quantity. To make this beer take caramel dark malt. It is worth noting that when roasting, he loses the enzymes that are needed to sugar wort. Therefore, brands of dark beer are always produced using raw materials used for the production of light beverages. A distinctive feature of this species is the characteristic malt flavor and hop bitterness, but in a moderate amount. 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

Beer grade stout is attributed to beverages of horse fermentation. The color is given to him by dark hops, which are used for production. Beer stout has a flavor of roasted malt and high viscosity. In turn, it is divided into bitter and sweet varieties. El is another kind of dark beer. It has a golden brown tinge. It is produced only in Britain and Belgium. Porter is a strong, medium-density beer. Initially, it was alcohol of three types: old ale, strong and weak beer. He was not quite a ripe drink. Now this is a sort of bottom fermentation with a dark color and sweet taste. And, finally, March beer, which is made from strongly roasted malt. This drink ripens the longest, contains more alcohol and has a viscous structure. This beer is strong.

Light beer

This kind of characterizes the foam structure, magnificent aroma and softness of taste, although all these indices depend on the variety. The composition of beer includes malt wort and brewer's yeast, which contribute to the fermentation process. The drink has pronounced hop bitterness. For preparation use light varieties of malt, and color depends on the degree of its roasting. Also add dark malt, but its percentage is minimal.

The process of making light beer

The quality of beer depends largely on the technology of its preparation. Begin this process with the germination of cereal plants, usually take barley. Then the shoots are cleaned and dried. After that, the malt is ground and mixed with water. As a result, the starch is split, and the desired level of sugar is reached. Now begin to extract the wort. To do this, the resulting mixture is filtered. Then add the hops to the must and boil the drink. In the process, hops give away a few oils and resins, which make the beer fragrant and tasty. After that, the separation of the remnants of hops and barley occurs, or clarification of the wort. Then it is pumped into the fermentation tank, which causes the must to be saturated with oxygen, necessary for the fermentation process, and brewer's yeast is added. After a few weeks or even months (it depends on the variety), ripening takes place. It turns out unfiltered beer. This drink is kept very short and is called alive. As a result of filtration, the yeast residues are removed and the shelf life is extended. But many prefer it is light beer, unfiltered. Further pasteurization is carried out in order to reduce the activity of microorganisms and prolong the shelf life. However, according to many, from this taste of beer is reduced. Pasteurization is used to pour a drink into cans and bottles.

Wheat beer

This beer, whose varieties are brewed using wheat malt. In some countries, wheat is used for this, which has not germinated. This drink is considered ideal for consumption in the summer, in the heat. The names of the beer contain the phrase Weiss beer. It quenches thirst well, it has a delicious aroma, abundant foam and citrus notes. Wheat beer is of three kinds. Germanic - called waisen or Weissbier. The Belgian drink is Vitbir. The third type is sour wheat beer. Here we can distinguish the German Weiss or Goz and the Belgian lambic. Each variety is distinguished by its unique taste and aroma, which depend on the cooking technology.

Classification by processing method

Here, unpasteurized beer is extracted, which is stored for 8 to 30 days, depending on whether it is light or dark. If stabilizers are added, the storage period grows to three months. The use of preservatives increases this figure to one year. Pasteurized beer undergoes additional processing steps. The drink is cold sterilized.

Camp grades

This is a special kind of beer that is flavored with fruits. The product is distinguished by the technology of preparation, similar to the production of wine. The best beers are light beverages, although there are also dark types. In production, a small amount of hops is used, so the product has an easy and mild taste. Many varieties of beer Pilsner, Bocks, Doppelbocks carry to the camp. Pilsner was the first transparent drink prepared in the Czech Republic. Camp types of beer gradually conquered the market, replacing many wheat varieties.

Porter

Porter is a beer that is made from three kinds of ale: ripe, young and light. So authoritative brewing documentation claims. Mixing drinks with varying degrees of consistency allowed to create a product with a pleasant and moderate taste. At first this beer was very strong. The technology of its preparation was not very careful. The popularity of the drink began to fall, and it was replaced by ale and camp varieties. But with the development of domestic breweries, the porter has revived, 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 Shack Porter, Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter and some others.

Live beer of the "Shmikbirverk" brewery

Find a quality beer is not so simple. The manufacturer must comply with the technology and use only the best ingredients. However, a small brewery "Shmikbirverk", located in the Vladimir region, produces only the best beverages. All ingredients are supplied from Germany, and water is taken from a local artesian well. This is a live beer, which is not bottled, so you can buy it only for bottling. Live yeast bacteria continues its life, even in glasses. This is the highlight of the drink. Unfiltered beer has a brighter and more original flavor due to a yeast draft. Although yeast is not used in the production of beer . This product has a short shelf life, so you can not meet a live drink on the shelves (in bottles). But it retains all its properties when frozen. Live beer has a good, dense foam, which is stored to the bottom of the glass. Its color is light, but cloudy. The taste has a pronounced flower bouquet, with a slight sourness and sweet, caramel shades. This beer does not belong to strong alcohol. You can say that this is a drink for true connoisseurs.

Side, or side-birch

It is a strong drink of Bavarian origin. Dark beer is low fermentation, which ripens additionally for several months in special refrigerators. Here you can select the varieties: Maibock, Bock, Double Bock, Eisbock and Helles Bock. Under the influence of low temperature, some of the water is frozen out and the strength of the drink rises. The Dornbusch Bock is produced in compliance with all the traditions of the monasteries of Munich. Harpoon Maibock is a classic beer side. This variety has a rich chestnut color, excellent taste with malt and hop flavor.

Beer Gez

This is a special beer, outwardly and tastefully not inferior to champagne. The best Belgian brewers use the technology of producing champagne wines. This combination of young and old lambiki (beer of spontaneous fermentation), which during the repeated fermentation creates an unusual taste. The drink is poured into special bottles with a concave bottom. Thanks to a special method of blockage, the products resemble bottles with sparkling wines. Then the beer is aged for about 2 years. It turns out to be a highly aerated, sparkling and slightly cloudy drink. It has a slightly tart flavor and slightly sour taste with fruit tints. The most popular varieties of ges are Jacobins Gueuze, Cantillon Gueuze, Boon Gueuze, Cuvee Rene and Oude Gueuze. Before use, they must be cooled. Pour the drink into wine glasses for champagne or other similar dishes.

Smoked beer

These varieties are very rare. Green malt is dried on an open fire using beech wood. From this, there is a taste of smoked meat. This beer is usually dark in color and resembles Oktoberfestbier. Sometimes use malt, dried on 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 manufacturers retain all the traditions of production and use only the best raw materials.

Numerous brands and varieties of beer are a chance to discover the bright notes of a foamy drink, choosing for yourself the kind that will completely satisfy all preferences and taste preferences.