We all know the effects (and after-effects) of beer. But lifting a glass of cool liquid to your mouth on a scorching hot day, have you ever stopped to consider the processes and ingredients involved in making it? Well maybe not but here is the answer anyway!
Simply, beer is a fermented combination of water, barley, yeast and hops. The major variation in any beer is the type of yeast used in the fermentation process.
Let's look at the properties of this beverage.
Water is the main ingredient of beer. In the past, the purity of the water influenced the final result and was specific to the region of the earth from which it came. Today, water is filtered of these impurities, although pure water supplies are still ideally preferred by elite brewers.
Barley malt is an extremely important ingredient in beer as it is the main source of fermentable sugar. Many new breweries use barley malt extract, in either syrup or powder form, as this form ferments much quicker. It also contains many minerals and vitamins that help the yeast to grow.
Without yeast, beer would not exist. Yeast is a unique single cell organism that eats sugar and expels alcohol and carbon dioxide, two of the more recognizable ingredients of beer. Yeast comes in several variations, of which there are two major categories that determine the type of beer produced; Ale yeast and Lager yeast. If yeast alone were used the beer would be extremely sweet and therefore another ingredient needs to be added to reach the final product.
Hops are the flowers of the hop plant, a climbing vine plant that grows well in many differing climates. Hops contain acids which add bitterness to beer. Adding bitterness to beer helps to balance the sweetness, as well as acting as a natural preservative. Add more hops to the mixture and you will get a more bitter taste. This kind of beer is extremely popular in Britian and is simply referred to as "Bitter" (the original names are always the best!).
Variations of these ingredients create different tasting beers as well as having an affect on the alcoholic content.
When making your own beer many good resources are available which provide home brewing kits. It is important to read the ingredients of the packets in order to ascertain which has the best mixture according to your needs. One quick tip which many home brewers fail to adhere to is this: "Use fresh still water"!
Many have often sought information on how to make beer and the basic homebrewing equipment is not very expensive you can get what you need, for as little as $100.
In order to start making beer, you will need the following:
A brewpot: Primary fermenter: Airlock and stopper: Bottling bucket: Bottles: Bottle brush: Bottle capper: and a thermometer: In addition you can even use items from your kitchen to aid in the beer making. A breakdown of all the equipment is as follows:
Brewpot
A brewpot is made of stainless steel or enamel-coated metal which has at least 15 litre capacity, but it's no good if it's made of aluminum or if it's a chipped enamelized pot, (these will make the beer taste funny). The brew pot is used to boil the ingredients thus begins the first stage of beer making.
Primary fermenter
The primary fermenter is where the beer begins to ferment and become that fabulous stuff that makes you so funny and charming. The primary fermenter must have a minimum capacity of 26 litres and an air tight seal it must also accommodate the airlock and rubber stopper. Make sure the one you buy is made of food-grade plastic, as it wont allow the bad stuff in or let the good stuff out.
Airlock and stopper
The airlock is a handy gadget which allows carbon dioxide to escape from your primary fermenter during fermentation, it is this process that keeps it from exploding, but it doesn't allow any of the bad air from outside to enter. It fits into a rubber stopper, and is placed into the top of your primary fermenter. The stoppers are numbered according to size, so make sure you use the correct stopper for the correct hole
Plastic hose
This is a food grade plastic hose which measures approximately 5 feet in length. It is needed to transfer the beer from system to system, and it is imperitive that it is kept clean and free from damage or clogs
Bottling bucket
This is a large, food-grade plastic bucket with a tap for drawing water at the bottom, it needs to be as big as your primary fermenter, because you need the capacity to pour all the liquid from your primary fermenter into a bottling bucket prior to bottling up.
Bottles
After fermentation, you place the beer in bottles for secondary fermentation and storage. You need enough bottles to hold all the beer you're going to make, the best kind of bottles are solid glass ones with smooth tops (not the twist-off kind) that will accept a cap from a bottle capper. You can use plastic ones with screw-on lids, but they arent as good for fermentation and dont look as well. Wheather you use glass or plastic bottles, make sure they are dark-colored. Light damages beer, i would recommend green or brown bottles.
Bottle brush
This is a thin, curvy brush which is used to clean bottles because of the the shape of the brush it makes it very affective at getting the bottle spotless. We haven't even gotten into how clean everything has to be, but we will, and the bottle brush is a specialized bit of cleaning equipment that you will require in order to maintain your bottle kit.
Bottle capper
If you take buy glass bottles, you will need some sort of bottle capper and caps, of course, and you can buy them from any brewing supplies store. The best sort of bottle capper is one which can be affixed to a surface and worked with one hand while you hold the bottle with the other.
Thermometer
This is a thermometer which can be stuck to the side of your fermenter, they are just thin strips of plastic which are self adhesive, and can be found in any brewing supplies store, or from a pet shop or aquarium. Not everything costs money though even some household equipment can be used.
Household items
In addition to the above specialized equipment, you will need the following household items:
Small bowl:
Saucepan:
Rubber spatula:
Oven mitts/pot handlers:
Big mixing spoon:
So there you have the ingredients and the method to make your home brew, all you need now is to get yourself a beer making kit and your on the way to beer heaven.
Tags: ale yeast, barley malt extract, beer yeast, breweries, brewers
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Posted on 13 March '10 by , under Beer. No Comments.
Home Brewing Is The Perfect Hobby To Complement Your Outdoor Kitchen
Beer enthusiasts enjoy the aroma created during their home brewing process. However, some members of your household may not enjoy the scents of malted barley and hops simmering to perfection. So why not take your hobby outside. Any excuse to spend time in your outdoor kitchen is a great excuse, but this hobby has an obvious reward at the end. You'll soon discover that it is easy to recruit friends to spend time in your outdoor kitchen to serve as brewing assistants. Helping the brew master is a sure fire tactic to earn an invite when the beer is ready to be served. Of course, all of your guests will enjoy spending time in your outdoor living area enjoying the finished product.
If your outdoor kitchen is equipped with a side burner, and you have some extra counter space, you're well on your way to having your own home brewery. Home brewed beer can be bottled, but many experienced home brewers will agree the bottling process is the most time consuming and least enjoyable part of home brewing. If your outdoor kitchen is equipped with a kegerator, you can skip the bottling process and significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for your beer to be ready to be served.
You will not find home brewing equipment at outdoor kitchen stores. With a quick search of the internet or yellow pages you will definitely find countless online stores, and you will likely find a brick and mortar store close to your home.
To get started, you will first need home brewing equipment. A basic home brew kit will cost about one hundred dollars. As with any hobby, you can buy more expensive equipment, but getting started for the least amount of money is recommended. Basic home brewing kits consist of a six gallon glass fermenter (or carboy), a six gallon bottling bucket with spigot, and a variety of cleaning supplies, bottling equipment, and instructions. The large fermenter and bottling bucket can be stored in your outdoor kitchen cabinets when not in use.
Next, you will need a recipe and ingredients. For your first attempt, look for a complete kit with ingredients and instructions. Recipes get more complex as you gain experience and expertise in home brewing, but start with something simple. These kits cost between $30 and $50 and produce 5 gallons of beer. The usable yield will vary, but that is approximately 50 twelve-ounce servings.
The actual process of brewing your beer begins using your outdoor kitchen side burner and a large stainless steel brewing pot. Your recipe may vary, but you will be cooking ingredients in the brewing pot for approximately one hour. Along with the flavoring, the malted barley in this step becomes the sugar that is fermented into alcohol. The mixture is cooled by adding more water, yeast is added, and the beer then rests in the fermenter for about a week. Next, the beer is bottled and combined with priming sugar that produces carbonation. After about two weeks, the beer is carbonated and ready to enjoy. If you are transferring your beer to a kegerator, there is no need for priming sugar and the two week wait is reduced to about two days before your beer is ready.
Home brewing is completely legal, and nothing like distilling spirits which is highly illegal and very dangerous. You cannot accidentally make a dangerous beer. Worst case scenario, you might not like the taste of the beer you select, but it will be safe to drink and enjoy. If that happens, just start again with a different recipe, and enjoy spending more time in your outdoor kitchen!
Tags: bottling equipment, brew master, cleaning supplies, fermenter, finished product, home beer, home brew kit, home brewed beer, home brewers, home brewing equipment, home brewing kits, kegerator
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Posted on 12 January '10 by , under Home Brewing. No Comments.
The Sopranos Chianti
Raised in Tuscany, this classic Italian always delivers. It brings to the table soft tannins with flavors of cherry and berries and a leisurely finish. Aged 6-8 months in oak, it's perfect for a quiet dinner with the family after a hard days work. Deep ruby red in color. Fruity nose, cherry driven, fresh palate of fine fruit, and a full body. A very balanced, warm, smooth, velvety wine with a great mouth feel with soft tannins allowing the wine to maintain its solid structure. Uncork and enjoy with simple pasta dishes and grilled meats.
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Tags: berries, classic italian, flavors, grilled meats, palate, pasta dishes, quiet dinner, ruby red, soft tannins, sopranos, tuscany, Wine
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Posted on 17 March '09 by , under Wine. No Comments.
Screw pull Elegance Lever Model Corkscrew Gift Set
The newly redesigned top of the line screwpull Lever Model Elegance corkscrew is futuristic in form and function. Satin smooth metal handles and black matte body is completed with state-of-the-art ergonomics to triumph in the two-centuries-old Battle of the Cork. The best of the most ingenious screwpull designs, die cast and zinc plated, exerts over 100 lbs./sq. in. of torque that no cork can resist. The lever model elegance corkscrew set includes: a patented four-wheel Foilcutter a storage stand a gift box This corkscrew is not meant for use with synthetic corks
Product Features
* Professional corkscrew set; includes foil cutter, stopper, storage stand, and attractive gift box
* Steel handle; matte plastic body; glides smoothly through corks; removes them neatly
* Clamp grip to hold bottle steady; single-push action; ergonomic design
* Should be wiped clean with soft cloth; can open 2,000 bottles before replacing screw
* Corkscrew is 6 inches high with 8-inch handles; weighs just under 2 pounds; 10-year warranty
Tags: attractive gift, cork, corkscrew, foil cutter, lever model, product features, screwpull, smooth metal, state of the art, top of the line, torque, wheel
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Posted on 16 March '09 by , under Wine. No Comments.
Metrokane Rabbit 6-Piece Wine-Tool Kit
Complete Six-Piece set starring the famous Rabbit Corkscrew in elegant velvet finish, includes everything you need for opening, serving and preserving wine.
Product Description
Reproduce flawless openings with multiple tools. The ultimate all-in-one wine corkscrew set for all your wine service needs. You get everything you need for wine bottle opening and service in this convenient and affordable Rabbit Corkscrew set from Metrokane. The 6-piece corkscrew kit includes the world-famous Rabbit Corkscrew, foil cutter, drip-stop drip ring, worm, wine/champagne sealer, and wax remover. The Rabbit Corkscrew was redesigned with an all new precision metal gear mechanism for even smoother and more reliable wine bottle opening. This corkscrew is synthetic cork friendly.
Tags: champagne, cork, drip stop, famous rabbit, foil cutter, gear mechanism, metal gear, new precision, precision metal, product description, rabbit corkscrew, ring worm, tool kit, velvet finish, wax remover, wine bottle, wine corkscrew, wine product
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Posted on 16 March '09 by , under Wine. No Comments.
As wine breathes, it releases its intended aromas and flavors. Unlike time-consuming decanters, Vinturi’s simple gadget makes the aerating process easy and convenient. Simply hold it over a glass and pour the wine through, mixing the proper amount of air in the right amount of time. The result is a better bouquet, richer flavor, and smoother finish. Vinturi’s acrylic aerator stands six inches tall and two inches wide, is dishwasher-safe, and comes with a no-drip stand and travel pouch.
Aerate wine in seconds for better taste. The Vinturi Wine Aerator is clearly on the cutting edge of wine aerating. Mixing just the right amount of air with your wine at the precise moments, this see-through aerator allows your reds or whites to breathe instantly. The Vinturi Wine Aerator results are a better bouquet, enhanced flavor, and a smoother finish. Perfect aeration in the time it takes to pour a glass. Couldn't be easier. Comes with a no-drip stand and a travel pouch. Acrylic. Aerator and stand are dishwasher safe. Travel pouch is machine washable. 5% of the proceeds go to Living Beyond Breast Cancer when you purchase the Pink Vinturi Special Edition. On Sale Now - SAVE OVER 10%! Size: 6"H x 2" Dia. Note: During manufacturing, material folds around rods and wraps back resulting in two slight "fold lines". these lines extend up from each air hole and are normal.
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Tags: aeration, amount of time, aromas, bouquet, decanters, drip, flavors, gadget, reds, vinturi wine aerator
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Posted on 16 March '09 by , under Wine. No Comments.
Micro Mini Fridge Small Portable Compact Refrigerator
Portable Micro Cool Mini Refrigerator Enjoy cool sodas, delicious sandwiches and fresh fruit at work or on the road as easily as you would at home. Compact size is portable and ideal for travel. Works great on or under office desk. Plugs into standard household AC outlet or car, RV or boat lighter to chill drinks, preserve perishables or keep food and drinks warm with the flick of a switch. Perfect gift for college kids in dorms or keeping spare drinks in bedroom. Holds six 12 oz cans. Aluminum, 10 x 7 3/4 x 11 3/4".
Tags: aluminum, college kids, compact refrigerator, compact size, drinks, household, micro mini, mini fridge, mini refrigerator, perfect gift
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Posted on 16 March '09 by , under Bar Stuff. No Comments.
What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers
From Publishers Weekly:
Dornenburg and Page, authors of Becoming a Chef and Culinary Artistry, demystify the challenge of food and beverage pairing in this exhaustive, accessible resource. Believing that the best matches create peak experiences, the authors consult with the world's most discriminating palates, who see food and drink as inseparable. With stories from such noted chefs as Daniel Boulud, Traci Des Jardins and Patrick O'Connell and a host of top sommeliers, this comprehensive collection provides a wealth of guidelines for pairings, not only by specific food, but by food type, time of day, characteristics, season and personal mood. From fast food to ethnic cuisine, they include unlikely entries such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer), oxtails (Barolo), moussaka (Retsina, Rioja), potato chips (beer, champagne) and saag paneer (Pinot Gris). While focusing primarily on wine, the authors include matches for a variety of other beverages, including tea, water, coffee, beer and spirits, and offer the pairings in reverse—what to serve if you've already selected your beverage. This encyclopedic collection is highly recommended for those who give serious thought to the flavor of each dish. 70 full-color photographs. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Product Description
The most comprehensive guide to matching food and drink ever compiled, by the James Beard Award winning author team of Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, with practical advice from more than seventy of America’s leading pairing experts
In a great meal, what you drink is just as important as what you eat. This groundbreaking food and beverage pairing reference allows food lovers to learn to think like a sommelier, and to transform every meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - from ordinary to extraordinary.
Exceptional in its depth and scope - with over fifteen hundred entries - What to Drink with What You Eat is based on the collective wisdom of experts at dozens of America’s best restaurants, including Alinea, Babbo, Bern’s, Blue Hill, Chanterelle, Daniel, Emeril’s, French Laundry, Frontera Grill, Inn at Little Washington, Jean Georges, Masa’s, The Modern, Per Se, Rubicon, Tru, and Valentino.
You’ll find authoritative recommendations for stocking your cellar and kitchen with must-have beverages, from wines to waters. You’ll also learn what to drink with everything from French toast to Chinese food, and what to eat with everything from Pinot Noir to green tea, to create mouthwatering matches. Follow the authors three simple Rules to Remember when making a match - or just dive into the wide-ranging listings in chapters 5 and 6.
This incisive, hip writing team (Publisher’s Weekly) distills history, geography, science, expert technique, and original insight to create a remarkably user-friendly and engaging reference. Lavishly illustrated with gorgeous four-color photographs, What to Drink with What You Eat is an instant classic essential to every connoisseur’s bookshelf.
About the Author
Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg have been called "the brightest young author team on the culinary scene today" on NPR. Their previous books Becoming a Chef, Dining Out, and The New American Chef have all been finalists for or winners of James Beard and/or IACP Book Awards. Their landmark book Culinary Artistry, the first- known reference on culinary composition and flavor compatibility, established them as "America’s leading authorities on the subject of flavor development" (FENI). Page passed the Court of Master Sommeliers introductory course examination. A former restaurant chef, Dornenburg completed graduate studies with Madeleine Kamman at the School for American Chefs at Beringer Vineyards and earned his sommelier certificate from the Sommelier Society of America. The authors are proud members of PEN American Center and frequent and popular speakers in venues ranging from the Culinary Institute of America to Kripalu to the Smithsonian. Paired personally as well as professionally, the couple has been married since 1990 and lives in New York City.
Tags: ethnic cuisine, expert advice from america, reed elsevier inc, traci des jardins, wine beer
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Posted on 15 March '09 by , under Books. No Comments.
Buying Your Favourite Wine From On-line Liquor Store Is A Time Saving And An Intelligent Task
The Online liquor store is a faster and convenient way to reach up to your favourite brands. Gone are the days when you had to be totally dependent upon your local wine dealer for the availability of your favourite brands. The Internet revolution has paved the way for wine lovers to gulp down their favourite wine without moving out of the comfort of their house.
The procedure for ordering alcohol online is pretty simple. The first step to buy wine online is to search for a reliable website which can offer you the genuine quality wines. Before even thinking of buying wine, give a glance to the shipping restrictions which are imposed by some of the online stores. The restrictions are based on parameters such as the place where the wine is delivered from and the distance the wine has to cover before reaching your doorsteps. The second step will be to look out for discounts offered on your favourite brands by the websites in order to get the best deal out of them. There are some websites which offer substantial discounts thanks to the stiff competition among these stores. Few companies also offer web coupons to the clients which can be availed by them easily.
The best thing that happens when you order alcohol online is that you get to chose from a large variety of liquor. Moreover, the brand will be delivered to your doorsteps thus; not forcing you to leave the luxuries of your home or office. You can also refer to recommendations from certified organizations that are there to grade and rate the online stores. You can look out for the latest scores provided by these organizations to various brands. Along with the scores and the grades, there are reviews of customers available on websites which provides you with the correct knowledge about the brands available. But then, is it all good for the customers. Sadly no!
There are few checks which you have to consider before you buy wine online. There are few websites which do not accept orders for a single bottle. You have to place the order for minimum six bottles to avail their services. The second check is the freight these stores charge. The companies pretend that the freight charges are nil if the order is placed within the country. But then, the freight charges are added to the purchase price. If you order the wine from another country, obviously you will be charged higher freight. Despite these checks, ordering wine from an online liquor store is safe and convenient unless and until you buy wine from a reputed and trusted store. In order to place an order you can simply log-on our online liquor store.
By: Pooja Rai
Tags: alcohol, buying wine, genuine quality, online liquor store, quality wines, web coupons, wine dealer, wine lovers
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Posted on 15 March '09 by , under Wine. No Comments.
Product Description
Golf Bag Cooler, Beer Cooler and Beverage Can Coolers. The ultimate golf accessory, corporate golf gift and unique piece of golf equipment for golfers everywhere. These golf bag accessories fit inside any golf bags accessory pouch and holds up to 9 cans.
Product Features
* Fits in Golf Bag Accessory Pocket
* Holds up to 9 Beverage Cans
* Dual Zippers on the Side for Easy Access
* Removable Shoulder Strap
* Zipper Pocket for Additional Golf Gear
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Tags: accessory pocket, beer cooler, beverage cans, can coolers, corporate golf gift, easy access, golf bag, golf bags, golf equipment, golf gear, golfers, product description, removable shoulder, ultimate golf
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Posted on 14 March '09 by , under Beer. No Comments.
In Germany there is a beer ice cream in pop-sicle form. Its alcohol content is lower than that of classic beer.
The Code of Hammurabi of ancient Babylonia (c. 1750 B.C.) declared that a tradesman could be put to death for diluting beer.
In Medieval Europe, brewing and baking went together. Thus women were the first European brewers and were often called ale wives.
1810: Munich establishes Oktoberfest as an official celebration.
King Frederick the Great once banned coffee to bolster sagging beer sales.
In Babylon over 4000 years ago, it was customary for the bride's father to supply his new son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. As mead is a honey beer and their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the 'honey month' – or what we know today as the 'honeymoon'. In fact, Babylonians believed if the groom drank mead for an entire month, it enhanced the chances of his wife bearing a male heir.
In Bavaria, beer is legally defined as a staple food.
After consuming buckets of aul (or ale), the Vikings would head fearlessly into battle, often without armour or even shirts. In fact, "berserk" means "bare shirt" in Norse, and eventually took on the meaning of their wild battles.
The first US lager was brewed in 1840 by John Wagner, who had a small brewery in the back of his house on St. John Street in Philadelphia. Wagner brought the first lager yeast to the United States from a brewery in Bavaria.
Historians report that during the Middle Ages, when monks were brewing their beer in their monasteries, each monk was allowed to drink 5 quarts of beer a day.
Legend has it that Gambrinus, god of beer, challenged the devil to produce a “wine without grapes.” The historical origin of the concoction we know today can be found in 12th-century Belgium, although the Egyptians had already created fermented-grain beverages well before then.
The pursuit of beer changed the course of humanity forever in 5000 BC. Neolithic people abandoned their wandering lives for farming, to grow grain for brewing beer.
In 1116 BC, Chinese imperial edict stated that heaven required people to drink beer.
The Egyptian pyramids were built on beer. Stonecutters, slaves and public officials were paid in a type of beer called 'kash' – which is where the word 'cash' originated.
In English pubs, unruly customers were told to mind their own pints and quarts and settle down – and so began the phrase "mind your P's and Q's". (Another explanation is customers were being warned about the potency of the beer. At 'freehouses' where people could make and sell their own beer, there was less control on the alcohol content.)
The familiar Scandinavian toast sköl derives from scole, the drinking bowl shaped like the upper half of a human skull. Originally, these bowls were fashioned from the actual skulls of enemy killed in battle.
Before thermometers were invented, brewers would dip a thumb into the mix to find the right temperature for adding yeast. Too cold and the yeast wouldn't grow; too hot and the yeast would die. This ancient practice is where we get the phrase 'rule of thumb'.
Saint Arnold, a bishop born in 580, is considered the patron saint of beer. He encouraged people to drink beer instead of water during the Plague. Indeed, the Plague suddenly disappeared once his word spread (though some suggest because beer was boiled in the brewing process, it would have been safer than water, which had previously spread the infection.) When Saint Arnold died in 640, the citizens of his hometown carried his body from Remiremont to Metz for reburial in their church. On this journey, another miracle occurred – when the weary porters stopped to share their only mug of beer, they discovered the mug never ran dry.
The most expensive beer in the world? It’s called “Tutankhamen” and is prepared according to the recipe recovered by a group of University of Cambridge archaeologists in Queen Nefertiti’s Temple of the Sun in Egypt. It costs US $52 a bottle, and is produced in limited and numbered edition.
The pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock because they ran out of beer. Although they planned to continue down the east coast, the Mayflower's log explains the passengers "were hasted ashore and made to drink water that the seamen might have the more beer". On their arrival, the pilgrims immediately built a common house, which included a brewery.
In ancient times, monks who fasted or abstained from solid food subsisted on beer.
The music for "The Star Spangled Banner" was derived from a British drinking song called "Anacreon".
Carlos V: This emperor was the first beer importer, and one of its most illustrious drinkers and aficionados. It’s said that even in his retirement in Yuste, he kept a Flemish brewer in his reduced entourage.
Assyrian tablets from 2000 BC stated that Noah was carrying beer aboard the ark.
The United States two-dollar bill features three brewers: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Samuel Adams. In fact, George Washington installed a brewhouse on his grounds at Mount Vernon.
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.
Beer wasn't sold in bottles until 1850. Beer lovers would visit their local tavern with a special bucket, have it filled and then begin the merry journey home.
Ale was brewed for centuries without hops. Before the 1400s, ale was flavoured with herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Yet the antiseptic quality of hops helped to preserve ale from spoiling and later became a vital part of its flavour.
In the Czech Republic, beer is cheaper than Coke. A half litre at the local pub costs just 30 cents (10.50 CZK) while a half litre of Coke costs 85 cents (30 CZK). Beer is a little more expensive than club soda (which costs 29 cents, or 10 CZK, for a half litre).
A labeorphilist is a collector of beer bottles.
Cenosillicaphobia is the fear of an empty glass
A tegestologist is a collector of beer mats.
A flood of beer swept through the streets of St. Giles, England, on 17 October 1814. Caused by a rupture in a brewery tank containing 3500 barrels of beer, the tidal wave killed nine people and demolished two houses.
Universities in Europe and America from the 1300s through the 1700s had in-house breweries to provide beer to the students. Harvard had its own brew house in 1674 and five beer halls, each burned down by rioting divinity students.
The first six-pack of beer was produced by the Pabst Brewery in the 1940s. The brewery conducted numerous studies, which found six cans were the ideal weight for the average housewife to carry home from the store.
Ancient Egyptians brewed beer in just three days, due to the hot climate. Served as a still fermenting cereal mash, they would drink it through straws from a communal bowl.
In eleventh-century England, a bride would distribute ale to her wedding guests in exchange for donations to the newlyweds. This brew, known as Bride Ale, is the origin of the word 'bridal'.
One method of checking a beer’s quality is the way in which the foam adheres to the side of the glass after each sip. Beer connoisseurs call this “Brussels lace.”
By 3000 BC, the Egyptians were brewing at least six different types of beer.
1888: Citizens of Munich took to the streets and rioted after a beer price increase was announced.
In 1740, Admiral Vernon of the British fleet decided to water down the navy's rum. The unhappy sailors nicknamed the Admiral 'Old Grog', after his wool grogram coats. The term 'grog' soon began to mean the watered down drink itself.
Czechs drink the most beer in the world per capita – an average of 160 litres a year per person.
In olde England, town inns paid a government tax known as a 'scot' for serving beer. Beer lovers who left town to drink at rural pubs were said to be drinking 'scot free'.
Root Beer was origionally called Root Tea, however the name was changed to Root Beer to get more people to take interest in it.
Beer recipes have been found on Babylonian clay tablets from over 6000 years ago.
Guinness sells an average of 7 million glasses a day.
The British Army supplied its men with a cash allowance for beer, considered a vital nutritional staple on long overseas missions. With this allowance of one penny, soldiers enjoyed six pints of ale every day.
1587: The first beer is brewed in the New World at Sir Walter Raleigh's colony in Virginia, but the colonists send requests to England for better beer
A beer a day... Beer was used to treat over 100 illnesses in Egypt, 1600 BC.
In the 13th century, King Wenceslas convinced the Pope to revoke an order banning the brewing of beer in Czech territories (no wonder he was known as 'Good King Wenceslas).
In Egypt, two containers of beer were the minimum wage for a day's labour.
American beer is predominately made from rice. That is why it tastes so light compared to foriegn beers. This is purely an American invention to increase profits as they hoped a lighter beer would also draw women to purchase.
Beer was often served for breakfast in medieval England.
It was customary in the 13th century to baptize children with beer.
Tags: bavaria beer, beer sales, classic beer, god of beer, honey beer
Posted in Beer | No Comments »
Posted on 13 March '09 by , under Beer. No Comments.
After water and tea, beer is the third most oldest and popular drink across the globe. Beer was said to be found in around 6th millennium BC. It is produced by fermentation and brewing of starches. Wheat, rice, corn and cereals are commonly used for beer. Millet, sorghum, cassava root, potato, and agave are some of the less used starch source. Making of beer is known as brewing through which starch source is converted into a sugary liquid known as wort. Then the process of fermentation by yeast into alcoholic beverage called beer.
Most important ingredients of beer are water, starch source, yeast and flavors such as hops; mostly flower of hop wine is used as hops. Earlier beer, especially wheat beers had a cloudy appearance. With the usage of clarifying agents’ beer now appear bright and clearer than the older styles of beer.
There are different varieties of beer available. Almost all countries have different methods of making beer. There are mainly two types of beers one is pale lagers, which is globally popular and the other one is ales, which is again categorized into various varieties including pale ale, stout, and brown ale. Alcoholic content in beer ranges from less than 3% to 30%. In some countries beer with 1% alcohol content are served for children in school instead of soft drinks. But nowadays the strength of beer has increased.
Beer varies in different types in different countries. The starch source differs from country to country. In Africa sorghum or millet are used as starch source while in Ethiopia Tella is used. There are specially designed beer glassware like white beer glass, pint glass, pilsner glass, beer stein, flute glass and lots more. It is very beautiful to see the bright and clear beer in the specially designed glassware.
There are many festivals in the name of Beer. Beer festivals are a part of enjoying beer. Among the beer festivals, Oktoberfest is the most celebrated and enjoyable festival. Many tourists across the globe come for Oktoberfest. Playing cards, darts, bags and other pub games are some of the social traditions and activities related to beer drinking.
Like alcohol beer has all health affects that of alcohol consumptions. Beer drinking is considered as a social drink. It is consumed all over the world. Brewing industry is one of the fast growing businesses. There are many small companies to big ones which produce beer across the world.
In a survey it was found that low alcohol beer carries anti cancer properties, and in another survey it states that nonalcoholic beer is good for cardiovascular. Some people say that beer drinking makes beer belly. But according to survey beer belly is because of overeating and lack of muscle tone.
Beer is one of the oldest and most popular drinks. There are many beer pubs and parlors world wide.
By: Dev Sri
Tags: alcohol content, alcoholic content, beer beer, beer festivals, beer glass, beer stein, brown ale, cassava root, flavors, lagers, pale ale, pint glass, soft drinks, tella, types of beers, wheat beers
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Posted on 12 March '09 by , under Collecting. No Comments.
Introduction To Neon Signs
The first Neon sign was seen in 1910 at the Grand Palais exhibition in Paris. This was created by George Claude. In 1923, Earle C. Anthony came back to his hometown Los Angeles after a business trip from Paris. He purchased two Neon signs from Paris which he wanted to use it to advertise for Packard dealership at Wilshire and La Brea in Hollywood. This was the first neon commercial signs in the United States.
George Claude invented this method. He filled the glass tubes with Neon gas and illuminated them. Then glass tubes were bent with the help of a flame. Then electrodes were attached, air was removed by a vacuum and the tube was heated to remove any impurities before Claude pumped in the gas. Different colors are created with the help of different gases. Like neon gas gives red color; argon gas provides blue color; and any other gas can create any desired color. Many Neon training programs was established because of a sudden increase in the neon industry. But the only structured and organized training program was Egani Institute which was located on 125th street between Fifth and Madison Avenues in New York City. This institute was found by Edward Seise in 1930, and continued operations until 1971, when he retired. He taught this process to nearly 85% of all the glass benders in United States. Electricity is imperceptible but provides convenience and comfort to human life.
Neon has a special type of lighting known as gas discharge lighting. Fluorescent, mercury vapor, sodium vapor and neon lamps are examples of different types of gas discharging lighting. Neon is one of the six noble gases that are found in the atmosphere. Others include argon, helium, krypton, xenon and radon. Neon creates red light, argon with a trace of mercury added creates a blue light; helium creates pale yellow light; krypton generates a white light with a purplish tint, and xenon a white/blue light.
Neon and argon gases are not dangerous as they are inert gases and display great stability and extremely low reaction rates. If there are minute droplets of mercury in some colors they are safe as long as the tube is not broken. Improper handling may harm the environment and health. Because of this reason many neon shops do not repair broken argon-mercury tube.
To Summarize, neon and argon gas is mostly used in neon tubing. Most of the neon tubes are handmade, therefore each tube is considered unique.
By: Steve123
Tags: neon bar, neon gas, neon lamps, neon sign, neon signs
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Posted on 12 March '09 by , under Bar Stuff. No Comments.
Kegerator Is The Ultimate Product For Beer Lovers!
Kegerator arouses excitement in beer enthusiasts. It allows them enjoying draft beer at home. A good quality kegerator can transform simple beer into a beer haven. It keeps beer cool, and tasty. This kegerator comes as a perfect choice for gathering, parties, and any such place where beer is needed in large quantities. There are different styles of kegerators available in market such as multiple tap, single tap, under counter, outdoor, freestanding, built-in unit. Each of them is unique in its design, and enhances the beauty of your place. Such sleekly designed kegerator can store beer for a stretchable period of time, without losing its original taste. Go for any of these kegerators. Now, arranging party in your back-yard is no more troublesome! Be the envy of your friends for providing draft bear in huge quantity.
Varying models of freestanding kegerators are Summit freestanding kegerator SBC490, Danby DKC645BLS Keg Cooler, Summit freestanding kegerator SBC490NK and many more. Danby DKC645BLS Keg Cooler comes in black with stainless steel color. This unit has 5.8 Cu. Ft. storing capacity. This freestanding kegerator comes with an automatic defrosting system and a front mounted electronic temperature control with blue LED display. The DKC645BLS model comes with unique work top, beer tower dispenser, chrome guard rail, drip tray, and CO2 tank. Option swivel Castor is also available with this unit for its easy mobility. This keg cooler can accommodate full size or 60 liters of kegs. It is even capable of converting it into refrigerator of 164.2 liter capacity.
Built-In Kegerator section comes with different models such as Summit built-in kegerator SBC490BI, Summit built-in kegerator SBC490BI-7, Summit built-in kegerator SBC490BIFR-7 and many more. Summit built-in kegerator SBC490BI is one of the best preference for any home, and it even meets with the commercial standards. This model comes with rugged 18 gauge stainless steel top. The SBC490BI model comes in black color.
From the vast range of Outdoor Kegerators you can order for any of these items such as Summit SBC490-OS outdoor kegerator, Summit SBC490-OSSSTBTW outdoor kegerator, Summit SBC490OSTWIN portable kegerator and many more. Summit Outdoor SBC490OSTWIN kegerator is a full size unit that can accommodate any size of keg. This model comes with complete tap system. It has a storing capacity of 2 mini kegs. It comes with automatic defrosting system, body color wrapped stainless steel, and door wrapped stainless steel. Order any of these Kegerators and enjoy chilled draft beer anytime!
By: Natasha Patnaik
Tags: beer enthusiasts, beer haven, beer lovers, draft beer, keg cooler, kegerator, kegerators, kegs, temperature control
Posted in Bar Stuff | No Comments »
Posted on 12 March '09 by , under Bar Stuff. No Comments.
US $149.00
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