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Glass Shape and Beer Taste: Does It Really Matter?

Posted by Barley Beaver on

Glass Shape and Beer Taste: Does It Really Matter?

Most of us have that one friend who will experience utter shock and scream “blasphemy!” if you ever dare to pour a wheat beer into a tall Pilsner glass. Who knows, maybe you are that one friend, and feel deeply offended when served a particular beer in the “wrong” glass at the local brewery’s taproom. Fact is, there are at least as many beer glass shapes and types as there are beer styles out there, while some beer brands even having glasses of their own. And there is an ongoing discussion whether they all have an impact on the flavour...

More Beer Styles for Colder Weather

Posted by Barley Beaver on

More Beer Styles for Colder Weather

Part 2 of Beer Styles for Colder Weather Smoked Beer And speaking of fire, a little smoke can make a beer really interesting a fitting as a winter warmer. Smoked Beers can vary in colour and general flavour, some of them being Light Lagers or Hefeweizens, while others being dark Porters or even Imperial Stouts. Yet they all share the distinct smoky flavour with hints of burnt wood, which stems from the use of special smoked malt. Back in the day before the invention of kiln malting, most beers were smoked since the malt was being dried over burning or...

Beer Styles for Colder Weather - Part 1

Posted by Barley Beaver on

Beer Styles for Colder Weather - Part 1

Part 1 As the waning light lets the Autumn cold seep deeper into our surroundings, we are instinctively drawn closer to fire, or at least a place where it’s warm and comfy. And it’s only natural that in such circumstances one would prefer a kind of beer that has the ability to chase the chill away, rather than a refreshing light beer that goes so well with the Summer heat. We’re talking about beers that could be sipped and enjoyed even after they’ve warmed in your hand while you’ve been relaxing in the armchair or on the couch for a...

Types of Beer: Is There a Difference?

Posted by Barley Beaver on

Types of Beer: Is There a Difference?

We all know that there are dozens of various beer styles that are defined by a range of flavours, aromas and colours. Whether a light Pilsner, dark Swarzbier, balanced Amber Ale or hop-forward IPA, all beer styles share the same basic ingredients utilized in various proportions to achieve the desired goals. However, when it comes to actually producing the beer, there are considerable differences introduced by a single ingredient: yeast. And it’s the type of yeast used in fermentation that defines the type of beer in question. Most of us are well familiar with the traditional division between ales and...

Beer Serving Temperature: What’s Best for the Beer?

Posted by Barley Beaver on

Beer Serving Temperature: What’s Best for the Beer?

The image of a frosty glass filled with ice-cold beer is deeply ingrained into our culture thanks to the endless ads created by Big Beer over the decades. The very concept of beer being a refreshing drink somehow implies that it has to be served cold, and bartenders all across the globe strive to do their best by chilling the beer to freezing temperatures before pouring it into the glass. But whether it’s correct to do so? Or is it just doing beer a disservice? Let’s find out! First thing, let’s agree that the serving temperature really has an impact...