What is the difference between lager and ale: let's understand the nuances
Many people believe that it's all about color: lagers are light beers, ales are dark beers. In fact, this is not the case: there is a wide variety of beers in both families. Indeed, due to the production technology, lager is mostly a light lager beer, while ale has a rich flavor and is often quite strong, but it would still be wrong to separate them by this characteristic. What is the difference, then?
It's the yeast
Ale, historically considered to be the first beer, is made by top fermentation. Special yeasts are used for this and the process takes place at high temperature (from 15°C to 2070°C). As a result, the yeast accumulates on the surface - hence the name. A lot of higher alcohols and esters are produced during top fermentation, which affects the taste and aroma of the beer - it is richer than that of lager.
Lager is produced by bottom fermentation, which is considered the most modern and popular method today, primarily because of the fact that such beer can be stored without pasteurization for up to 2 years (ale - up to 6 months). The process takes place at lower temperatures (from 8 to 13 degrees Celsius) and the yeast settles to the bottom after refining. The lager matures in even colder conditions - at temperatures close to zero. The taste of the lager is smoother and less sweet.
Lager is considered a universal beer - no wonder it is the most common beer on supermarket shelves. It goes with any dish, even simple ones, and is suitable for any event. In addition, it can and should be drunk chilled, which is especially important in the hot season - not every beer can boast such an option. Ale can rather be compared to wine - its taste and aroma are more complex, which means that you need to treat it in a special way: choose appetizers carefully so they do not drown the taste of the drink, serve at the right temperature (the best way to taste ale is warm) and so on.
In addition, ale and lager usually differ in strength: for the former it is on average 4-9%, while the latter can boast only a modest 3-5%. But this condition is not strict: you can find both light ales and lagers with a strength of up to 13%.
Despite some advantages of the ale, it cannot be said that it is somehow better than lager. They are really very different families, and not all beer lovers are looking for complex flavors and high strength. So just choose what you like, and in the beer restaurant Lambic you will be served the chosen beer according to all the laws of the genre - for maximum enjoyment!
Taste without degrees: how non-alcoholic beer is made
Non-alcoholic beer is a great alternative to the usual foam beer when drinks with degrees are prohibited. And if earlier the taste and quality of such beer left much to be desired, now it has become a self-sufficient product that can bring no less pleasure than alcoholic varieties. We tell you how non-alcoholic beer is produced and at what point it loses degrees. A bit of history The first batch of non-alcoholic beer was made in 1976 in the Czech Republic. At first it was so unpopular that manufacturers had to engage in its mass promotion. In the 1980s, beer without degrees began to be actively promoted, including talking about the harm of drunk driving. But it didn’t help much — until the end of the nineties its market share was less than 1%. Non-alcoholic beer has gained real popularity only recently — in the early 2020s. The reason is the trend towards a healthy lifestyle. People all over the world are giving up meat, practicing sports and now — preferring beer without degrees to drinks with alcohol. Secrets of production Non-alcoholic beer contains the same ingredients as regular beer. Only the production technologies differ. They are based either on reducing the degrees by eliminating the fermentation stage or on removing alcohol from the finished beer. Here are the three most popular methods: — The interrupted fermentation method - when the fermentation of the wort is stopped and then the resulting liquid is carbonated, pasteurized and filtered. This is the most common method that most producers use;— evaporation - the degrees leave the beverage under the influence of high temperature;— membrane filtration method - the finished beer is filtered, separating the alcohol from the drink. Non-alcoholic beer is the right product if you are health-conscious. In addition to the fact that it does not contain alcohol, which in large quantities negatively affects the body, it is also low in calories. In beer without degrees only 30 calories per 100 grams — against 45 or more in the usual. But be vigilant: to improve the flavor of the drink, manufacturers often add extra sugar and various chemicals. You can try tasty and high-quality non-alcoholic beer in any beer restaurant of the Lambic chain. Our menu includes hundreds of beer varieties from all corners of the world. Non-alcoholic beer section also pleases with the choice: there are varieties from Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia and even South Korea. Come and let us find a drink for your lunch or dinner that will surely give you pleasure!
19 September 2024
Gluten-free beer: what kind it is and how it differs from gluten-containing beer
Gluten intolerance affects about 1% of the world’s population. Once in the GI tract, gluten, which is found in cereal plants, causes inflammation and leads to stomach upset. Sometimes intolerance becomes a disease when the villi of the small intestine begin to break down. This disease is called celiac disease. Until a couple of decades ago, people with celiac disease had to simply exclude gluten-containing foods from their diet, making it much more sparse than for normal people. Today, the problem is almost solved: manufacturers produce gluten-free pasta, breads and pastries, and many restaurants have gluten free items. Gluten-free beer: what kind of beer is it? Since beer is brewed on the basis of malt, which is sprouted grains, it contains a significant amount of gluten. But this does not mean that those who suffer from intolerance will have to give up their favorite drink — gluten-free beer has also been invented long ago. It is divided into two groups: low gluten and gluten free. Beverages from the first group can be consumed in moderate quantities by people with gluten intolerance, and those who suffer from celiac disease are recommended only gluten free beer. A completely gluten-free beer is one that contains less than 20 milligrams of gluten per kilogram (or 20 parts per million). Secrets of production Two technologies are used to make gluten-free beer: — beer is brewed on the basis of malt from gluten-free cereals: rice, corn, buckwheat, and gluten-containing grains are removed from it completely;— gluten is removed from the finished beer with the help of a special enzyme that breaks down the protein. If only part of the protein is removed, the beer is labeled as low gluten. In the first case, the drink may have a slightly different taste than the usual foam, while in the second case, all the characteristics of beer are preserved, including taste, color and foaming. Therefore, gluten-free beer made in this way is no different from regular beer. To try delicious gluten-free beer, come to the beer restaurants of the Lambic chain. For example, we have Baladin Nazionale Gluten Free — 100% gluten-free beer originating from Italy, which has an exquisite taste and aroma. We look forward to your tasting!
19 September 2024