Varieties Of Beer

There are many different types of beer for you to choose from and depending on your own personal tastes you may prefer one over the other.

One of the most popular types of beers is the lager beer. The word lager comes from the German word "lagern" which translates to mean "to store". Lager beers are usually served at a cool temperature rather than at room temperature. Lager beer is made by aging it in large kegs and letting the yeast settle. This creates a beer that is crisp and has a delicate flavor. It takes more time to make a lager beer than other beers since lagers are aged for a longer period of time.

Bock beer is a different type of fermented beer. It gets its name from Einbeck, Germany, a town known for beer brewing. Bock beer is heavier and darker than lager. The darker color comes from the malts used to brew it.

Ales are beers with the characteristic fruitiness, a slight acidity and a pleasant, bitter aftertaste. Ales take less time to brew then lagers and are served at warmer temperatures as well, generally room temperature.

Stout and porter types of beer are different from lagers and ales. These beers can be sweet or dry and flavored with oats, roasted malt barley, or certain types of sugars. Porter and stouts are known for their deep coloring and depth of taste, making them perfect for meals that are made of meat or fish. Combining a meal of oysters and stout beer has long been known as one of the finest meals in Europe.

When a beer is referred to as a "dry" type of beer what is being referred to is the amount of sugar that has been left in the beer after the fermentation process. A dry beer is fermented for a longer period of time than other beers so that most of the sugar has been transformed into alcohol. The end result of this lengthy fermentation process is a beer that is crisp and clear and has very little, if any, aftertaste.

Beer has become increasingly popular around the world. Micro breweries are opening in every country. Micro breweries are a unique way of sampling local beers; they can offer customers a fun exposure to the taste and culture of a local city and country.

By: Bob Kandl