FIND YOUR BREW
Metro Creative Connection
Beer has been produced by humans for longer than many people may know . Barley beer researchers have to traced beer production to present-day Iran in the fifth millennium BC . The making and drinking of beer also is noted in the written history of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia .
Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages available today and it is an important sector of the beverage industry . Business Insider says an estimated $ 661 billion worth of beer was sold around the world in 2017 . In the United States alone , more than 7,000 new breweries opened in 2018 , according to the Brewers Association . An additional 1,000 breweries were expected to open in 2019 .
All beers are either lagers or ales , which are distinguished by the type of yeast used during the fermentation process ( bottom- or top-fermenting , respectively ). These beers are further labeled to describe the brew ’ s overall character , and oftentimes its place of origin , states BeerAdvocate .
The following are some of the most popular types of beers on the market .
• Bocks : BeerAdvocate says a German Bock is a lager that is stronger than your typical lager , with a more robust malt character . The hue of these beers ranges from dark amber to brown . Bocks were once brewed by Bavarian monks and were consumed at the end of Lent .
• Brown ales : These beers feature toasty flavors with malty overtones . They have a mid-range alcohol content and boast a hoppy bitterness . Brown ales are full-bodied beers that pair well with heavier foods , like red meats and stews .
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• Dark lagers : Many dark lagers have malty , smooth , caramel flavors . They tend to have a mid-range alcohol level and relatively low bitterness profiles .
• India pale ales : IPAs boast strong hop bitterness and piney , floral flavors . They are especially popular among craft beer enthusiasts and brewers . IPAs tend to have a higher alcohol content than other pale ales . Imperial or double IPAs have even more pronounced flavors and higher ABVs .
• Pale ales : These beers are hoppy , but generally light , drinkable beers . Many easily pair with fish , poultry and cheeses .
• Pilsners and pale lagers : These similar , golden-colored beers are light in flavor and lower in alcohol content than other styles of beer . This style of beer was made popular in Germany , but many American brands like Coors and Budweiser have made pale lagers a favorite of the masses .
• Porters : Porters were developed in London in the early 18th century . These beers are well-hopped and dark in appearance due to the use of brown malt . The name grew from the popularity of the beer among street and river porters .
• Stouts : Stouts tend to be dark in color and are often mistaken as being heavy and strong . This isn ’ t always the case . Many stouts are complex and low in alcohol , according to All About Beer magazine . Dry stouts are well-known in Ireland . A distinguishing characteristic of a dry stout is its black , essentially opaque appearance .
58 • MERIDIAN LIFE