What You Should Know About Ales
The world of ales is larger than you think. You may already have a favorite type of beer but did you know that there are many different varieties and beer brewing manufacturer’s all across the world? There is a distinct different between the ale and the pilsner. Stouts and lagers are also very different from each other. All these fermented tasty beverages may have the word “beer” on the label somewhere but it does not make them all the same. The best thing you can do is to become informed and give other drinks a try.
The first thing you should know about ales is that the brewing system is different than the one used for lagers, stouts or meads. Ale is brewed using a top fermenting brewer’s yeast and it has a sweet, fruity taste that is full bodied. Hops are then added to the ale mixture to give it a bit of bitterness to counterbalance the sweetness. You wind up with a perfectly balanced ale that still retains its sweetness, yet has an edge to it.
If you are interested in the history of the ale, then you should know that ale was a very standard drink during the 15th century. It was as common to drink as water. In fact, you would have been served ale for any meal that you indulged in. Of course the breweries of that time were individual households, when homebrewing was a common household chore that was done repeatedly, although they did not have the brewing equipment that people have today.
Today’s breweries have the best equipment that allows the brew master to carefully monitor the temperature of the mixture. This means that the brew master can control when hops or yeast is added and how long it is cooked. Fermenting for too long may mean that you will wind up with a lager versus having the ale that you set out to make. It is a very precise method. Experienced brew masters are always in high demand with beer manufacturers.
With today’s market, anyone can find great ales. You no longer have to worry about making your own. You can simply go to the local liquor store and pick up as many types of ale as you wish. Of course, you probably do not drink ale with every meal but it is still a fabulous beverage to enjoy when you are relaxing with friends and family. There are hundreds of different manufacturers throughout the world, all of which are experts at brewing beer. Experiment and try different brands; you may be a fan for life.
Author: Mike Selvon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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