A Basic Guide for Choosing Your Next Beer
When people take a sip of a cold beer, they do not always think about the distinctions among those on tap. Whether a massed-produced brand or a craft brew, each type of beer has its own characteristics, making the selection a delightful treasure hunt. Even among the same categories of beer, different breweries create distinct tastes. Still, many beers fall under specific classifications; understanding these can provide guidelines for choosing in a restaurant or store.
The Two Masters
Beer can be categorized under two umbrella types: ales and lagers. While ingredients vary, hops and water, along with various grains moved by hopper bottom trucking, are primary. Foundations include corn, rice, wheat, rye and oats. Ales, dating back before the Middle Ages, are made using a quick, warm-fermentation process, where yeast is introduced during the brewing and the fermentation occurs at the top. These low-carbonation beers are aromatic and robust. …