Difference between revisions of "Drink Beer"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Getting the Best Taste=== | ===Getting the Best Taste=== | ||
| − | #[[Choose a Quality Beer|Choose the right beer]]. Gone are the days when you thought beer only came out of a keg and into a red plastic cup. There are an infinite amount of varieties out there, meaning there's a beer out there that matches your ideal taste. Here's a brief and not-at-all comprehensive rundown (that would take ages):<ref>http://www.primermagazine.com/2009/learn/a-guide-to-understanding-beer-and-how-to-find-new-favorites</ref> | + | #[[Choose a Quality Beer|Choose the right beer]]. Gone are the days when you thought beer only came out of a keg and into a red plastic cup. There are an infinite amount of varieties out there, meaning there's a beer out there that matches your ideal taste. Here's a brief and not-at-all comprehensive rundown (that would take ages):<ref name="rf1">http://www.primermagazine.com/2009/learn/a-guide-to-understanding-beer-and-how-to-find-new-favorites</ref> |
#*''Ales.'' These ferment quickly and are generally a bit sweeter, fuller-bodied, and have a fruity flavor. Indian Pale Ales (IPAs) have more hops and are generally bitter. This category includes pale ales, wheat beers, bitters, porters, stouts, barley wines, brown ales and tripels. Watch out for tripels – they've been fermented several times and can knock you off your feet. | #*''Ales.'' These ferment quickly and are generally a bit sweeter, fuller-bodied, and have a fruity flavor. Indian Pale Ales (IPAs) have more hops and are generally bitter. This category includes pale ales, wheat beers, bitters, porters, stouts, barley wines, brown ales and tripels. Watch out for tripels – they've been fermented several times and can knock you off your feet. | ||
| − | #*''Lagers.'' These ferment slowly and tend to have a "crisper" flavor than ales and are, in general, less "hoppy." Think of Heineken, Bud Light, Natural Light, Harp, Corona, Miller Genuine Draft – these are all light lagers.<ref>http://www.ratebeer.com/feature/apr-14-2005-the-10-minute-beer-expert/457/</ref> This category also includes pilsners, Vienna lagers, bocks and marzens. | + | #*''Lagers.'' These ferment slowly and tend to have a "crisper" flavor than ales and are, in general, less "hoppy." Think of Heineken, Bud Light, Natural Light, Harp, Corona, Miller Genuine Draft – these are all light lagers.<ref name="rf2">http://www.ratebeer.com/feature/apr-14-2005-the-10-minute-beer-expert/457/</ref> This category also includes pilsners, Vienna lagers, bocks and marzens. |
#*''Stouts''. These really fall under the "ale" umbrella, but they are their own beast. A stout is dark and often creamy, with tastes of chocolate and coffee undertones. There's also oatmeal and oyster stouts, too. For these, think Guinness, Beamish, and Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stouts. | #*''Stouts''. These really fall under the "ale" umbrella, but they are their own beast. A stout is dark and often creamy, with tastes of chocolate and coffee undertones. There's also oatmeal and oyster stouts, too. For these, think Guinness, Beamish, and Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stouts. | ||
#*''Bitters.'' These are English ales that have a deep bronze look and a well-hopped flavor (in other words, bitter). In general, they have greater depth than IPAs. It's hard to qualify their taste beyond that as there are several categories: session or ordinary bitter, best or regular bitter and premium or strong bitter (often called Extra Special Bitters (ESB)). | #*''Bitters.'' These are English ales that have a deep bronze look and a well-hopped flavor (in other words, bitter). In general, they have greater depth than IPAs. It's hard to qualify their taste beyond that as there are several categories: session or ordinary bitter, best or regular bitter and premium or strong bitter (often called Extra Special Bitters (ESB)). | ||
#*''Wheat Beer (or Hefeweizen).'' This is an ale with a light yet hazy appearance. It often has a slight banana or clove flavor. Sometimes it's spicy or apple-y, too. It's not bitter and it's often served with a wedge of lemon. | #*''Wheat Beer (or Hefeweizen).'' This is an ale with a light yet hazy appearance. It often has a slight banana or clove flavor. Sometimes it's spicy or apple-y, too. It's not bitter and it's often served with a wedge of lemon. | ||
| − | #Choose the right glass for the right beer. Just like red wines and white wines (and hard liquors) need to be treated differently and put it in different glasses, the same goes for different varieties of beer. Here's a few things to consider:<ref>http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/101/glassware/</ref> | + | #Choose the right glass for the right beer. Just like red wines and white wines (and hard liquors) need to be treated differently and put it in different glasses, the same goes for different varieties of beer. Here's a few things to consider:<ref name="rf3">http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/101/glassware/</ref> |
#*''Mugs'' – good for IPAs, red, black, brown, and blonde American Ales, Pilsner, English Stouts, smoked beer, witbier, American and English Porters | #*''Mugs'' – good for IPAs, red, black, brown, and blonde American Ales, Pilsner, English Stouts, smoked beer, witbier, American and English Porters | ||
#*''Pint glasses'' – good for American Ales, IPAs, Pale Ales, English Bitter and mild English Ales, cream ales, dark Lager and Stouts. | #*''Pint glasses'' – good for American Ales, IPAs, Pale Ales, English Bitter and mild English Ales, cream ales, dark Lager and Stouts. | ||
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#*''Pilsner glasses'': Vienna and Japanese lagers, Euro dark and strong lagers, American malt liquors, pale and red lagers, doppelbocks | #*''Pilsner glasses'': Vienna and Japanese lagers, Euro dark and strong lagers, American malt liquors, pale and red lagers, doppelbocks | ||
#*''Weizen glasses:'' Dark and pale wheat ales, and all "weizens" | #*''Weizen glasses:'' Dark and pale wheat ales, and all "weizens" | ||
| − | #Choose the right beer to complement your meal. Beer pairs just as well – if not better – with food like wine. And in general, it's the same idea: lighter foods like salads and fish go with lighter beers. Heavier foods and meatier meats go with darker beers. You should also pair "regional" beers with food of that region. Apart from that, here are a few things to remember:<ref | + | #Choose the right beer to complement your meal. Beer pairs just as well – if not better – with food like wine. And in general, it's the same idea: lighter foods like salads and fish go with lighter beers. Heavier foods and meatier meats go with darker beers. You should also pair "regional" beers with food of that region. Apart from that, here are a few things to remember:<ref name="rf2" /> |
#*Does your beer have a caramel, cocoa or coffee flavor? Pair it with a smokey flavor, like with char-grilled foods. | #*Does your beer have a caramel, cocoa or coffee flavor? Pair it with a smokey flavor, like with char-grilled foods. | ||
#*Is your beer hoppy? This can provide an herbal contract to fattier foods, like salmon, pizza, and fried foods. | #*Is your beer hoppy? This can provide an herbal contract to fattier foods, like salmon, pizza, and fried foods. | ||
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===Pouring Your Beer Correctly=== | ===Pouring Your Beer Correctly=== | ||
#Choose a beer that's been stored properly in a cool, dark location. It's important to store your beer in a cool area, away from direct light, heat and in a constant temperature. Ideally, most beers should be kept around {{convert|50|-|55|F}}. Anything higher and the lifespan of your beer will be shortened; anything lower and you'll make it hazy or cloudy. | #Choose a beer that's been stored properly in a cool, dark location. It's important to store your beer in a cool area, away from direct light, heat and in a constant temperature. Ideally, most beers should be kept around {{convert|50|-|55|F}}. Anything higher and the lifespan of your beer will be shortened; anything lower and you'll make it hazy or cloudy. | ||
| − | #*Wanna get technical? Strong beers (like barleywines, tripels, dark ales) will be best enjoyed when kept just below room temperature, around 55-60F. Standard ales (like bitters, IPAs, dobbelbocks, lambics, stouts, etc) should be at "cellar temperature, 50-55F. Lighter beers (think lagers, pilsners, wheat beers, milds, etc) should be around refrigerated temperature, or 45-50F.<ref>http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/101/store/</ref> | + | #*Wanna get technical? Strong beers (like barleywines, tripels, dark ales) will be best enjoyed when kept just below room temperature, around 55-60F. Standard ales (like bitters, IPAs, dobbelbocks, lambics, stouts, etc) should be at "cellar temperature, 50-55F. Lighter beers (think lagers, pilsners, wheat beers, milds, etc) should be around refrigerated temperature, or 45-50F.<ref name="rf4">http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/101/store/</ref> |
#*Think of it this way: the higher the alcohol content, the higher the temperature required and vice versa. | #*Think of it this way: the higher the alcohol content, the higher the temperature required and vice versa. | ||
#Grab a clean class. A dirty glass may contain oils or grime that interferes with the true flavor of your beer. Also, it's just a little gross. To be sure, run your glass under hot water; use soap and water if necessary. Hold it up to the light to inspect for smudges and oil. | #Grab a clean class. A dirty glass may contain oils or grime that interferes with the true flavor of your beer. Also, it's just a little gross. To be sure, run your glass under hot water; use soap and water if necessary. Hold it up to the light to inspect for smudges and oil. | ||
#*Don't mix your glasses, either. If it's a beer glass, use it as just a beer glass. Try putting beer in a milk glass and you'll get the picture. | #*Don't mix your glasses, either. If it's a beer glass, use it as just a beer glass. Try putting beer in a milk glass and you'll get the picture. | ||
| − | #Pour the beer in at a 45-degree angle. For the perfect beer, you need about 1" to 1-1/2" of "head" (the foamy stuff), or about {{convert|2.5|-|3|cm|in|sp=us|adj=on|1}}.<ref>http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/101/pour/</ref> To get at this, start by pouring the beer into your perfect glass at a 45-degree angle. The beer should stream down the midpoint of the side of the glass, allowing it to aerate. This creates the "head". | + | #Pour the beer in at a 45-degree angle. For the perfect beer, you need about 1" to 1-1/2" of "head" (the foamy stuff), or about {{convert|2.5|-|3|cm|in|sp=us|adj=on|1}}.<ref name="rf5">http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/101/pour/</ref> To get at this, start by pouring the beer into your perfect glass at a 45-degree angle. The beer should stream down the midpoint of the side of the glass, allowing it to aerate. This creates the "head". |
#*Having head is very important to get to the true flavors of the beer. No head and you'll lose what makes your beer tasty and delicious. It'll also provide a stronger, more decadent aroma. | #*Having head is very important to get to the true flavors of the beer. No head and you'll lose what makes your beer tasty and delicious. It'll also provide a stronger, more decadent aroma. | ||
#Level the glass and start to pour straight in. When glass becomes half full, start leveling it out slowly, pouring straight into the glass. This minimizes the head created, giving you the perfect amount. | #Level the glass and start to pour straight in. When glass becomes half full, start leveling it out slowly, pouring straight into the glass. This minimizes the head created, giving you the perfect amount. | ||
