Half-pint, pint, liter, you say? When ordering one to drink, perhaps. But, when it comes to measuring beer, brewers have something else entirely in mind.
Specific Gravity
For reasons known only to history, the term ’specific gravity’ refers to a liquid’s density. By convention, pure water is assigned a specific gravity (SG) of 1.00 at 15.5C (60F) and is used as a standard. The 1.00 refers to the fact that the density of H2O, in metric units, is 1 kg/liter. So, if a liter of beer has an SG of 1.05 it will have a mass of 1.05 kg.
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The malting process starts by soaking the grain, causing it to begin to germinate. Small rootlets sprout and the grain is then kiln-dried, crushed and roasted. Roasting stops the germination process, but if stopped in time, leaves needed enzymes active. Most home brew kits containing malt are actually dried wort. Malt preparation is a science in itself and brew chemists are continually striving to improve the process. Malting has a significant effect on the flavor, naturally. But even good malting processes can inadvertently add unpleasant characteristics to the starting material of beer. Malt components can cause bottom-fermenting yeast (used in lagers) to flocculate (gather) prematurely. They can produce off-flavors, alter the foaming character, produce haze and even introduce toxins into beer.
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Ale yeast is said to be ‘top-fermenting’ since the yeast cells tend to accumulate (’flocculate’) at the top. Lager yeast migrates to the bottom of the tank during fermentation and so is called ‘bottom-fermenting’. In the case of ale yeast, some interaction with oxygen takes place during fermentation. Ale yeast ferments quicker, a few days to two. Temperature ranges vary, though, and can easily be in the higher range. Many ale yeasts have a full-bodied, fruity aroma and taste. Wheat beer yeast goes into this ale-style brew, where it helps produce a fruity, intense character.
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The character of the malts, hops and the brewing process in total contribute to the feel of the brew in the mouth. Carbon dioxide bubbles interact with receptors on the tongue and influence whether the brew feels thick or light, creamy or thin. Brews run the gamut from metallic to astringent to warm and gentle. Often the aspect focused on most, flavor is rightly so the center of the beer tasting experience. Research suggests there are over a 1000 identifiable flavors in a given brew. Of these, professional tasters can identify around 100 distinct flavors.
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Start with a clean, dry glass for each brew being considered. Appearance, aroma, mouthfeel, flavor and aftertaste all play a part in the experience, along with more subtle aspects. Humans are visual creatures. What they see strongly influences their subsequent perceptions. A glass of dark brown with a creamy brown two-inch head will create another. But, blind taste tests often produce surprising results. Many have identified their favorite brew as dull or even distasteful aroma.
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Beer tasting professionals have developed practices over decades that can easily be used by anyone wanting to maximize their tasting experience. Begin with a fresh brew. Use a clean, air-dried glass. Cotton and paper particles can introduce unwanted character, can interfere with head production and oils and dirt can interfere with aromas and alter head retention. For extra foamy brews, pause mid-way then finish. Experience the aroma.
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As a flavoring agent hops contribute in multiple ways. The fruit of the hop plant contains compounds called alpha acids. At the same time, like many plants, hops contain oils that add distinctive aromas. Scottish ales began using hops only much later. Noble hops alone, for example, come in four types. Names more familiar to English readers, but derived from their European ancestors, are such types as Goldings – an English hop used in some ales – and Fuggles, a woody hop developed in England in the late 19th century.
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Water might be the most varied chemical compound on the planet. Two of the major elements are Ca, calcium and Mg, magnesium. These two add the ‘hardness’ in hard water. Ca, for example, helps produce an acid that balances the alkaline phosphates found in malts. Chlorine, Cl, for example helps keep bacteria from building up in commercial water supplies. But it adds a bitter taste and can contribute to killing yeast. It’s the yeast that turns malt sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide during fermentation. High levels can contribute to haze, though.
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Which glass looks best for beer presentation is largely a subjective issue. For the utmost in tasting, hand-wash your glass in warm water and rinse well. Allow to air dry. Hand towels, and especially paper towels, can introduce bits of cloth or paper.
Purists will avoid frosting the glass, since that can change the temperature and introduce moisture into the brew. The Weizen is named for Weizenbier (wheat beer), a Bavarian brew. The traditional English serving glass is the Pint Glass (or Becker), a tall, round, tumbler-shaped container with thin walls. The Stange is a traditional German-style, a straight cylinder used to serve delicate beers. They function well to concentrate volatiles, leading to a heady aroma. Malt and hop complexity is easier to judge using these fine serving vessels
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Even so simple an act as pouring a glass of beer is surrounded with controversy. When the glass is half-full, (not half-empty, there are no pessimists among beer pouring specialists!), tip the glass upright and continue to pour into the middle.
Gentle pouring down the side of the tilted glass helps keep the foam down to moderate height. Steepen the angle or pour from a higher distance for thicker foam. For those who want the maximum that a beer offers, pour some of the settled yeast out of the bottle into the glass. See, nothing about pouring escapes controversy!
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In recent times the low calorie beer has gotten a lot of attention. The main reason is that people are trying to be healthier but they don’t want to give up drinking beer. Beers that are low calories usually have fewer calories and give up some flavor. By brewing your own low calorie beer, you can have a healthy drink without sacrificing the flavor too much. Brewing your own beer is difficult enough, brewing a low calorie beer is even harder. Calculating the calories per ingredient or messing with sugar alternatives doesn’t make it easy.
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With the mashing process of malted grain completed, certain duties have been relieved in order to continue the beer brewing process. It is at this stage commonly that the amateur home brewer can enter the process of beer brewing with readily available liquid malt extract in a can. Whether the raw ingredients of barley grain are more difficult to come by, or the brewer wishes to bypass the elementary level of mashing, these canned syrups which just require the addition of water can certainly make the whole brewing process more convenient to the average consumer brewer.
Brewing beer has its basic fundamentals, although they are not entirely a set of rules which must be adhered to precisely. Manipulating each part of the brewing process can result in various outcomes, and in changing these, a brewer can determine the characteristics desired in the brew.
More on All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait for the Fermentation
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Interested in expanding your horizons, as far as your beer consumption is concerned? Learn about the different beers out there and how they are made. Beer has been in our midst for as long as anyone can remember it is one of the most common alcohol beverage to be consumed in the world. But its worth a thought as to how beer is actually made.
Ask any publican, hotelier or bar owner as to what makes a good bar, you will probably get the same answer: “One that makes money.” However, if you ask a customer what makes for a good bar you will get a myriad of different answers, and as a good bar attracts customers its important to know what they want.
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Wondering why the hobby of home brewing is growing? It isn’t the recession, people will always find ways to afford beer and alcohol. The main reason the hobby of brewing beer at home is becoming so popular is because it is fun.
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I ran across a nice little article that talks about some of the simple differences of starter home beer making kits. The most basic of basic kits will only have just the most limited instructions that will be kind of hard to follow. The new home brewer should read a home brewing for dummies type book first. It will make the first time much easier. On the other hand there are some deluxe beer making kits that even include the sanitizer and the malts, just short of the stainless steel pot to brew it in. The important thing to remember when ordering a home brewing kit, is there is two types, the refill kit when you have all the basic equipment to brew beer and the other is the true starter kit.
Quote from Source Article
“Please be aware that some instruction sets that come with starter beer kits are very basic and hard to follow, you’ll stand a far better chance of great tasting beer when using your beer kit first time round by following the instructions from a resource designed to help beginners, where you’ll get all the facts to get you ready to brew.”
article source http://homebrewingmastery.com/31/beer-kit-10-facts-you-need-to-know/
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David Artsmith - Champagne is a celebration, it’s a toast, and it’s the way to bring in the New Year with good cheer. This form of sparkling wine is the beverage of choice for our most joyous occasions, and our most formal ceremonies. So, how did this bubbly brew get to have such a place of honor and dignity in human society?
Part of the reason for champagne’s upscale reputation is that the nature of the liquid itself is festive. Store under high pressure, the bottle opens up slowly, with someone teasing the cork from the head of the bottle slowly. Even as they do anticipation rises in the room as everyone waits with bated breath for that one, loud, POP, that burst of sound that signals that the party is ready to begin. This is often followed by a spray of foam as it escapes eagerly from the body of the bottle
Then, when you put the champagne to your lips, it’s like the liquid is actually dancing on your tongue. A thousand tiny explosions of flavor pop in your mouth, until it almost feels alive inside of you; alive and ready to party.
Champaign is often coupled with wine coasters, or upscale drinks coasters in order to enhance the effect of the bottle through presentation.
There is also another explanation as to why Champagne has been so associated with celebratory events over the years. Its relatively expensive. The only liquid that can actually be legally labeled as “champagne” has to be made in the Champagne region of France. Anything else which is called champagne is actually just a sparkling wine, at least according to the government of France. Because of the limited amount of the beverage which can be produced in this one region, it is priced higher. The higher price makes it a “special occasion” beverage.
This perception of being “special” and “celebratory” is one which champagne makers do their best to preserve. That is why the law exists determining who can and cannot name their product using that specific label. It is also why millions of dollars are spent each year to hold contests to see who makes the absolute best champagne in the world.
Champagne is a festive beverage that naturally excites all five of the senses. This combined with a perception as being special, have combined to make this one of our most beloved celebratory drinks.
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If you love drinking beer and are thinking about starting a home brewing system, there are a few things to keep in mind. Starting your own home beer brewing system is really not all that difficult, but it is important to follow the given steps so that you know that you are going to be doing it correctly.
How to Begin
To start your very own home brewing system, the first thing that you want to do is figure out what type of beer you are interested in brewing in your home. Maybe you like a few different types and want to have some variety, or you know that there is one specific type of beer that you would prefer to brew. Whatever the case, the point is that you are going to need to get this figured out before you will be able to get started brewing beer in your home.
Also for your home brewing system, of course you are going to need to equip yourself with all the necessary supplies. Chances are that you do not have the home brewing equipment and ingredients that you are going to need to brew beer in your home, and there are a few that are particularly important here.
For your home brewing system, you are going to need some brewpots and kettles. These are what are going to be used in the actual brewing process of the beer. The pots and pans you use for cooking shouldn’t be used for brewing for several reasons. First, they are likely to be too small for use. Second, after brewing there will be a residue from the beer on the pots and pans that will get on your food the next time you cook.
When beginning a home brewing system, it is important to stick with your budget if you have one. However, be sure to acquire the best supplies possible so they will last a long time.
You also want to make sure, before you start with a home brewing system that you are researched and know what you are doing before you try to get going here. This way you are going to know what you are doing and will have a better understanding. Brewing your own beer at home can really be a lot of fun but you just need to make sure that you are properly prepared first.
See Also: Home Brewing Supplies
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