Types
Technically speaking, there are two basic styles of beer - lagers and ales - different in the type of yeast used to brew it. This is what gives ales (top fermenting yeast) its characteristic hoppy (bitter) tastes, thicker texture and darker colour. Lagers (bottom fermenting yeast) are lighter and they are what we get in India.
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What then is a Pilsner? A lager made in the style of that brewed in the Czechoslovakian town of Pilsen. A simple breakdown might make this easier. Lagers (3.2 - 4.5% alcohol) light-coloured lager dark lager Pilsner light/diet beer malt liquor (strong beer over 5% alcohol) Bock beer (sweet, heavy lager with a max of 3.5%alcohol) Ales (4.4 - 6% alcohol) Pale ale Brown ale Porter Stout Draught is unpasteurised beer, fresh though faintly yeasty and keeps for about a week.
Ice Beer is a new addition with a curious process - the brew is brought down to freezing temperature which concentrates it, increases the alcoholic content and imparts a crisp, clean flavour to the beer. Unlike wines, most beers do not keep and are best consumed within six months (bottles).
Some big international names in beers are Budweiser, Heineken, Fosters, Coors, Carlsberg, Michelob, Amstel, Guiness, Oranjeboom, San Miguel, Stella Artois, Kirin, Tiger, and Anchor amongst a host of brands. After the commercial beer boom of recent years, there has been a decided shift in the focus to small `microbreweries' both in the US as well as Europe. These small units are committed to reviving the old, individual style of beers, which have greater depth and character than the mass-produced `lights'. Rather than just purely refresh, these micro beers are appreciated for their finesse and `breeding'. A concept not likely to arrive in India in the near future.
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