Lager: what kind of beer it is and how to drink it properly
Lager is the world’s best-selling beer: almost 80 percent of the lagers on the market can be attributed to this family of beers. Not surprisingly, such popularity gives rise to numerous myths: for example, some people believe that all light, unfiltered beers belong to lagers. But in fact, this is not true: it is not the color, strength or number of filtration that determines what style you belong to. The point is the brewing method: only low fermentation beers (i.e. beers made at low temperatures) can be called lagers. This distinguishes it from ales, which are brewed by top fermentation under warmer conditions.
Accordingly, the lager can be either light or dark. There are hundreds of varieties in this family, including the most popular — Pilsner, Bock, Schwarzbeer and others. What else is known about lager?
How and when?
Lager was born in Germany. Like everywhere else, beer was mainly brewed in monasteries — it was considered a great alternative to everyday beverages that could not boast a high degree of purification or a long shelf life. And because the German monks’ brewing season began in late autumn, the beer matured in cold cellars. Hence the name — «lager» in German means «storehouse».
It turned out that the method of bottom fermentation separates the beer yeast from the wort and settles to the bottom, which gives the drink a special taste. The monks highly valued their invention, proudly called it «liquid bread» and consumed it even during Lent.
Despite the apparent ease of production, modern lager — quite capricious beer. It is sensitive to temperature changes and requires strict adherence to the recipe. To make lager the malt should be firstly crushed, but not to a pulp, then soaked and filtered. Only after the mash is separated from the solid particles go to the boiling. Hops are added to the boiling mass, then cool it down to 5-10 degrees, and only then the yeast is added to the wort. It takes up to four months for the lager to mature. To «sink» the yeast to the bottom, the fermentation temperature is gradually reduced during the whole period.
The secrets of use
The classic of the family is European amber lager, which has a characteristic color and universal taste. Also popular variants include pilsner, which is made from light malt, dark lager with a smell of caramel, black Schwarzbier and bock of roasted malt. A distinctive feature of lagers — notes of bread, rye and banana in the aroma and a long pleasant aftertaste.
Lager should be consumed at a temperature of 5-8 degrees. Higher or lower is not an option: the drink will lose some of its flavor. After the lager has been poured into the glass you need to let it breathe and just before drinking it you need to shake it in a circular motion, covering the neck of the glass with your hand. Roll the drink in your mouth like wine, you do not need to — its taste is felt brightest after swallowing.
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That's the base: what kind of beer the zoomers drink and what Kraft has to do with it
What is cringe to some is Spanish shame to others. With the beginning of a new era, not only language changes — fashion, interests and, of course, tastes change. Including beer. We wondered what kind of beer people of different generations prefer, whether the fashion for craft beer among millennials is still alive, and what the Zoomers like. Who likes what kind of beer It turns out that the theory of generations, which was proposed by Americans William Strauss and Neil Howe, works in the field of food. The year of birth directly affects what food, drinks and lifestyle a person chooses. The following picture emerges for beer: — Generation X — those born between 1965 and 1979 — are beer traditionalists who choose the classics that have been tried and tested over the years, both imported and domestic; — Millennials — children of the eighties and early nineties — drink mostly imported beers, and craft — still; — Zoomers — born after 1996 — are more health-oriented, so they don’t drink much beer. But if they do drink beer, they drink trendy drinks — fruit and tomato varieties, as well as beer smoothies. What’s on trend The beer industry has seen several consistent trends in recent years, and these trends are expected to be with us into 2025. Let’s take a closer look at what beer lovers can expect in the new year. First of all, imported beer will return to us. After sanctions were imposed, some brands left the market, and the share of foreign beer decreased to 7% of the total volume. Now imported beer is experiencing a new wave of popularity in our country, the former demand for it is returning, which means that there is hope for the appearance of familiar labels in stores. Non-alcoholic beer is still in fashion, and the reason for this is the fashion for a healthy lifestyle. Significant funds have been poured into advertising of beer without degrees, even Olympic champions support popular brands of non-alcoholic beer. According to statistics, sales of non-alcoholic beer have increased by more than 20% in the past year, and this is probably just the beginning. And, of course, unusual flavors were and still are in trend. Craft breweries are still at the top of their game — vegetable, tomato and mushroom gose, unusual fruit and berry drinks, and «soupy» flavors like tom yam are at the peak of popularity. No matter how old you are or what kind of beer you prefer, there’s sure to be a drink you’ll love at Lambic. And also in our beer restaurants — a wide choice of dishes, quality service and always cozy atmosphere. We are waiting for you!
20 December 2024
Holiday with Christmas beer flavor: we tell you what is Christmas beer
New Year’s Eve is associated with bubbles of sparkling wine, the cold season in general — with warming mulled wine, and Christmas, especially in the countries of the victorious foam — with the taste of Christmas beer. Not everyone in Russia knows about this Western tradition, and not everyone has tasted real Christmas beer. We fill the offensive gap and tell you what Christmas beer is, how to drink it and what to combine it with. A bit of history Christmas beer appeared in pre-Christian Scandinavia — Vikings brewed an unusual winter drink for the Yule holiday, which took place at the end of December. Beer was considered a gift to the Scandinavian gods, so its consumption was an obligatory item of the holiday program. In the Middle Ages Christmas beer was also loved in Europe — Germany, France, Belgium and England. Everywhere it was prepared in different ways, but it was always based on seasonal beer, usually strong and dense ale, which was brewed in monasteries and abbeys. In the XVIII century Christmas beer together with the Scandinavians emigrated to the USA, in the beginning of the XX century it gained commercial status, and in 1975 it got a new and permanent popularity thanks to Anchor Brewing Co, which released a special drink for Christmas holidays. And today Christmas beer is known and loved in many countries — for example, in Denmark its annual release is accompanied by a national holiday called J-Day. Features of Christmas beer Christmas beer is a strong, dark and spicy beer that has a rich consistency, sweet notes in the taste and a warming aftertaste. It both gives a sense of festivity and warms you up in the cold season as well as mulled wine. Brewers often add spices to Christmas beer — nutmeg, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, orange and lemon zest. A prime example of a Christmas beer is Delirium Christmas from the Belgian brewery Huyghe. It is a strong amber ale with an aroma of fruit, spices and caramel malt, as well as a bright spicy taste with a bittersweet aftertaste. Perfect for winter! Christmas beer is best served chilled to 7-15 degrees, not in straight beer glasses, but in rounded glasses, as for wine. The ideal gastronomic pairing for the drink will depend on the variety, but the universal choice will be grilled meat, oven-baked vegetables, chocolate and creamy desserts. Looking for a place to try an authentic Christmas beer? Come to Lambic! Our beer restaurants offer a huge selection of quality beer from all over the world and delicious food that will be a perfect accompaniment to your favorite drink. Come — we will find something to surprise you!
20 December 2024