Craft Beer for Beginners
With the growing popularity of the craft beer industry, there’s one thing that’s become wildly apparent. The only thing craft beer drinkers enjoy more than trying new brews, is talking about the brew. While not everyone is well versed on the vocabulary that comes along with enjoying a craft beer, we are here to give you a simple guide on how to keep up with the conversation!
When it comes to types of beer, most fall under the category of either lagers or ales, here’s the differences between the two:
Lagers: With a lower alcohol content and higher carbonation, most domestic beers typically fall into this category. In the category of lagers you will also find: pale lager, dark lagers, light lagers and pilsners.
Ales: Considered the most tradition brew, ales are often fruity and hoppy. In the category of ales you will find, IPAs, Pale Ales, Porters, Stouts, Wheat beers, and amber ales.
What separates Lagers from Ales is their brewing styles. Ales are brewed with top-fermented yeasts at a warmer temperature. While Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermented yeasts that are fermented at a cooler temperature for a longer period of time.
Now that we’ve covered the absolute basics, let’s explore some beer terminology that’ll have you sounding like a brew-master!
ABV:
how much alcohol is contained in your beer
Body:
The thickness that’s associated with your beer, usually linked to the malt protein
Dry Hopped:
The process of adding dry hops for flavour (but not bitterness) after fermentation
Single Hopped:
beers that are made with one kind of hops in order to showcase the specific flavor
IBU:
International Bitterness Units, the measurement of the intensity of bitterness in a beer
Malts:
The grains used as the source of sugar which is fermented into the beer.
Nitro:
Adding nitrogen to take away some carbonation and create smoother and creamier beer
Priming:
The addition of sugar to the beer in order to create carbonation
Fermentation:
The chemical conversion of sugars into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide through the action of yeast. The method of fermentation depends on the brew. Top fermentation produces ales and bottom fermentation produces lagers.
Growler:
A refillable jug (often 1 gallon) used to carry draught beer from the taps at the local watering hole to your next adventure.
