Welcome to the versatile world of beer! Beer is the oldest alcoholic drink, dating back to 3000 BC., and there are a dizzying amount of options available. From classic bitters or stout to crisp lagers and IPAs, each beer category spawns numerous varieties for drinkers to enjoy. Beer brewing today has become much more than the production of this robust nectar. It is an art form.
The thirst for beer is unquenchable with the “mega-breweries” constantly being challenged by the rise in popularity of local craft beers. These smaller independent breweries, like the Strangford Lough Brewing Company, produce traditional ales with the finest ingredients. When it comes to exploring new flavours and styles they simply can’t be beaten.
The craft brewing scene is extremely innovative and places a huge emphasis on techniques and quality. With bold, distinctive flavours, there’s something for any taste from modern bitters to icecream flavoured beer!
So, we’re here to satisfy your thirst for beer knowledge:
Different types of robust beers, brands, and cutting-edge breweries
Reviews of the classic beers, crisp lagers and craft beers
Fun facts on everything from home brewing to food pairing
If you’ve ever tried your hand at beer brewing at home, you’ll understand why most beer lovers leave it to the experts. The process is scientific, long and labour-intensive. Making great beer requires passion and commitment. It’s also great fun, and every fanatic should try it at least once!
Beer is always brewed using the same four key ingredients of malted barley, hops, yeast and water. However, the final product is altered by changing variables during the brewing process. The use of different hops and malts affects the aroma and bitterness, and even the temperature changes the taste. You can also add different grains, flavourings or even botanicals!
The difference between beer and lager can best be explained using colours. Lagers are the light yellow thirst-quenching drinks, and generally, beers are darker in colour, cloudy and rich. However, beer also includes the range of full-flavoured pale ales and IPAs, which are malty and medium-bodied.
The technical difference between them is that beers and ales are brewed using top-fermenting yeast. Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast that needs colder conditions and takes longer to ferment. This is why craft breweries primarily focus on beer, which is much easier to store and can be produced in just a few weeks.
India Pale Ales (IPAs) are yet another flavour sensation to capture your taste buds. The beer brewing process includes the addition of different kinds of hops and various herbs and citrus or fruity flavours. They can be high in alcohol levels and have a wide variety of flavours from light and mellow to strong and bitter.
IPAs are a top choice for beer drinkers and a great first introduction to the exciting world of craft beer. For the very best IPAs, seek out the small, creative local breweries who experiment with beer brewing. There are four main styles with different characteristics, so try out a few before deciding on your favourites!
Nothing takes the shine off a summer barbecue quite like a lukewarm beer. When the sun finally comes out and friends gather in the garden, you want every bottle and can to be refreshingly cold from the first to the last. With a bit of planning, it is easy to keep your beer chilled for hours, even on a warm afternoon. Chill It Before the Party The easiest way to keep beer cold is to start with beer that is already cold.
Wine often gets all the attention when it comes to food, but beer is a wonderfully flexible partner at the table. With its range of malt sweetness, hop bitterness, roasted notes and carbonation, beer can complement a meal, cut through rich dishes or bring out flavours you had not noticed before. The good news is that you do not need to be an expert to get it right. A few simple principles will take you a long way.
Pour the same beer into two different glasses and you may be surprised by how different it tastes. The shape of a glass affects how much aroma reaches your nose, how the head forms and holds, and even how quickly the beer warms in your hand. You do not need a cupboard full of specialist glassware to enjoy good beer brewing at its best, but knowing the basics helps you get more from every bottle and can.
