Beer

Beer is a naturally alcoholic fermented beverage, made from one of a number of grains, yeast and additional flavouring agents, such as hops.

History

Although the precise origin or origins of beer cannot be determined with precision, the history of its development can be traced along with the history of civilization, generally. The hardest evidence dates the brewing of beer to around 4000 B.C. in the ancient Mesopotamia region.[1]

Some regions of the world have strong association with beer, such as Belgium which is renowned as a center of beer brewing, and has a long history of creating many specialist beers that have been brewed in the region for centuries. Traditionally, Flemish specialty beers were prepared by local Trappist monasteries. Today more than 450 different beers are produced in Belgium. In Central Europe, Czech Republic is often associated with beer, due to the location of the city of Plzeň, where the original Pilsner was developed.

Beer in popular culture

The beverage is one of the most common alcoholic drinks in popular culture.

Many locales have a local brewer that is associated with that particular region. Sometimes the type of beer selected by the drinker takes on almost tribal connotations based on unrelated factors such as geography or favorite sporting code. In Australia for example, there are strong regional allegiances associated with the brands VB of Melbourne; Tooheys of Sydney and XXXX of Queensland.

Beer today

Today beer remains popular, although in some countries there has been some increases in wine drinking that has seen some drinkers substitute to wine from beer, sometimes on the basis of healthy associations proferred by some research claiming that moderate consumption of alcohol in wine form offers health benefits.

Some beers have responded by issuing low alcohol or low carbohydrate versions of new brands or existing brands.

Beer is a popular beverage at many parties.

Beer varieties

Beer can be separated into two classes: ales and lagers, each with several style categories. The difference in these two class distinctions comes from the type of yeast (and temperature) used to ferment the Wort. Ale is fermented at higher temperatures (typically between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) while lagers are fermented at colder temperatures (typically between 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit).

• Lagers and pilsners (or pilseners) are frequently light coloured beers, highly carbonated, and served cold. These styles were originally brewed in Germany and Austria, but are now found throughout the world. It is the most popular type of beer worldwide.
• Other styles of lagered beer include Doppelbock, European Strong Lager, Oktoberfest, Schwarzbier, Rauchbier (smoked beers), and both light and dark Bock beers.
• Ale can fall into several categories, and includes styles particular to Great Britain, the United States, and Belgium.
• Wheat beer, or weissbeer is an ale that is made with wheat malt. Wheat beers can be light or dark (Dunkelweizen), and of German (Hefeweizen), Belgian (Witbier), or American (American Wheat) origin. Wheat beers are most often not filtered and take on a cloudy appearance. It is common practice in the U.S. and the Belgian Hoegaarden to serve wheat beers with a wedge of orange or lemon to accompany the citrus tastes of the beer.
• Lambic beer is made with wild yeasts (rather than cultivated brewer's yeast) peculiar to the Pajottenland region of Belgium. These are also wheat beers and can be very sour. Substyles of lambics include Faro and Gueuze.
• Several ale styles originated in Belgium and include Dubbel, Tripel, Flemish Sour Ale, Saison, and Biere de Garde.
• Ale styles from the British Isles include English Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Irish Ale, Scottish Ale, Scotch Ale, Amber Ale, and English Strong Ale.
• Germany's ales include Altbier and Kölsch.
• American ale styles include California Common, American Pale Ale, and American Strong Ale.
• Stout is a very dark and quite heavy beer made with hops and unmalted barley. The most famous variety is Guinness, which was originally based on a lighter English beer known as Porter. Substyles of stouts include Dry Stout, Sweet Stout (aka Milk Stout), and Imperial Stout. Some Irish microbreweries make a Chocolate Stout.

Related topics

• Beer Hall Putsch, Munich, 1923
• Oktoberfest
• Root beer

Notes and links

External links

• Brewers Association--US craft brewers association, origins back to 1942
• British Beer and Pub Association--industry body representing brewing and pub sectors
• Brewers Association of Canada--also known as l'Association des brasseurs du Canada--industry brewers, established 1943
• Irish Craft Brewer community site News and discussion of craft beer and brewing, in Ireland and the world.