To date, the assortment of hops drink presented in stores looks impressive. Sometimes buyers do not know what to choose and ask what is the difference between beer and a beer drink? In fact, everything is very simple. Beer consists of standard ingredients, and a lot of different components are added to the beer drink: fruits, honey, oatmeal and so on.
What is beer made of?
What is included in real beer? A typical classic hop product has three components:
- Barley Malt
- Hops with yeast.
- High-quality water, most often extracted from underground sources and past mandatory treatment.
As for the product produced at the enterprises, ethyl alcohol is also added to its composition. In addition, store beer contains preservatives that allow it to be stored for a long time. The most delicious and healthy product will be made at home. It is prepared quite simply.
How to cook
The cooking process begins with the preparation of malt. Barley is cleaned, then germinated and dried. Then it is thoroughly crushed. For this, special crushers are used. Ready malt can also be purchased at the store. The mixture is poured with water and heated at a temperature not exceeding seventy-seven degrees. When the composition cools down a little, it is filtered. The remaining liquid is called a must.
The composition is mixed with granulated hops, also purchased in a specialized store. To date, you do not need to grow hops yourself. When the mixture is filtered, brewer's yeast is added to it for the fermentation process. Sometimes it takes two to three months.
Beer Product Features
Unusual components that make up a beer drink affect not only its taste, but also its strength. However, this fact does not mean at all that the drink is much worse than beer. Many people like him. As a rule, beer drinks have a peculiar, original and memorable taste. Therefore, to determine what the difference between beer and beer drink is not difficult. Often there is sourness from citric acid, bitterness from spices or a sweetish taste from caramel and honey. Many fans love fruit juice hops. Most people believe that “fruit” beer is a purely female drink. In fact, this is completely wrong.
According to the law, the composition of the drink should be as follows:
- At least twenty percent of the total should be ingredients such as hops and malt. They are the basis of the wort.
- It is difficult to imagine its composition without molasses, starch or caramel.
- In addition, various fruit or berry juices, even citrus zest, are welcome.
- Often in the composition of the drink you can find beekeeping products: propolis, honey or milk.
- Be sure to present the grain of barley, rice, corn or wheat.
- Various spices and flavors are often added to the composition of a hop drink.
Like beer, this product contains preservatives. A non-alcoholic beer drink also has quite a few flavors.
What is the difference
One of the main differences between beer and a beer drink is the strength of the second product.
According to GOST, it should not exceed seven percent. A classic beer drink is craft beer. It is brewed in small private breweries according to its own recipes. Manufacturers, as a rule, cook it for their own pleasure, not adhering to classic recipes. Therefore, the taste of craft beer is very often quite specific.
History of occurrence
It is believed that the first brewery with non-standard beer appeared in the United States in the 60s. According to the American Brewers Association, craft beer is a product made in a small brewery that produces no more than seven hundred million liters a year. In addition, under the law, production should not have external shareholders. This is one of the most important conditions, since, according to economists, it is extremely harmful for companies involved in the production of original beer to focus on financial results for the sake of investors. Thus, the creative process itself suffers when creating craft beer.
Types of drinks
Today in the store you can purchase the following products:
- Hoegaarden. Belgian beer drink “Hugarden” contains coriander spice and lemon zest. It is made from wheat and sprouted oats.
- Razor has a pleasant aroma and taste of fruit juices. The basis of the product is malt. Unfortunately, manufacturers added quite a lot of flavorings and flavor enhancers to it.
- Pretty famous American-made Miller refreshing drink. It is unusually light and is drunk excellently due to the lack of specific bitterness inherent in ordinary beer.
- “Stout” is made from roasted barley with aromatic and sweet caramel.
- An acidic beer called “Scream” contains raspberry, cherry or grape juice. Fruits are typically used fermented.
- Lambic drink. Like Hoegaarden, it is of Belgian origin. Prepared without the use of yeast.
The already mentioned craft beer can be made according to any recipe, which depends on the imagination of the master.
What do they drink in different countries
In many European countries, the concept of "beer drink" practically does not exist. For example, Belgium does not produce beer that is considered "real." The Belgians put various additives in all hopping malt drinks. In the Czech Republic you can find on sale real beer. However, its amount does not exceed half of the total volume. Why is a beer drink rather than beer more valued in some countries? Firstly, traditions play a certain role here. Each nation has its own. Secondly, scientists have determined that among lovers of a drink, rather than beer, indicators of cardiac activity are slightly better. However, here, as they say, a two-edged sword, as some manufacturers add dyes and flavors to the drink, rather than natural ingredients.
What do Czechs, beer or beer drink prefer? "Velkopopovitsky Goat" in this country is perhaps the most famous variety of natural beer. He is known far beyond the Czech Republic.
In Germany, they love classic beer made from three ingredients. Hoppy drink occupies a very small part of the market and is not very popular. Guinness beer is a huge success in the UK. This is a popular Irish brand of drink made from roasted barley.
How to determine what is in a bottle
What is the difference between beer and a beer drink? As a rule, not everyone can do this. It is difficult for an ordinary person to distinguish a drink from a real beer if it does not contain fruit juice or other additives that have a specific smell or taste. The color of a beer drink, like beer, also ranges from very light to rich brown. Therefore, this indicator is not decisive.
We examined the difference between beer and a beer drink. Experts advise you to carefully study the composition indicated on the label when buying. Sweeteners and flavorings will not be present in real beer. The presence of these components suggests that the product is just a drink.
How to make a drink
At home, you can make a hoppy drink yourself. For example, the famous "Ruff" consists of one glass of light beer, 50 ml of vodka and a teaspoon of squeezed lemon juice. They use it, as a rule, in chilled form.
Great taste is Birmiks. It contains natural juices and syrups. The composition of Bermix is quite diverse and includes two types of syrup (caramel and fig), as well as lemon juice and dark beer. Supplements Birmiks ice and berries.
Mexican beer cocktail consists of light beer (700 ml), tomato juice (350 ml), a tablespoon of lemon juice, half a teaspoon of ground paprika and salt. When the products are thoroughly mixed, add a drop of Tabasco sauce to the composition. Before pouring the mixture, the sides of the glasses are moistened in lemon juice and dipped in a mixture of paprika with salt. Decorate a cocktail with a slice of lemon.