o o ________ ___(::::o:::)__ o _(::o::) (::::o:)_ o _______(:o:o)__ (:::o:::::) |-------------| (::::o::)_ __ | _______ | o (o:::o:) | \ /////// |--/@@@@@@@\--| (:::) |\_____| \__ ___ ///////////// |-|@@ BUD @@|-| /\(:)_| \_X_/ ////////// |--\@@@@@@@/--| | /////////// | ----- | | ////////// |King of Beers| \ \_____///////////////// | ----- | \ ////////////////////////// |}---+++++---{| | /////////////////////////// |_____________| | /////////////////////// \___________/ / /////////////////// No matter what you do... Before you drink your next brew... Know what choice is right for you!!! //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\ { A Connoisseur's Guide To Beer } { By Brewmiester } { Mental Hijinx } \\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/ How many times have you walked into that gourmet liquor store and stood for hours on end just gazing into the racks upon racks of beer? 10 times?? 100 times?? Darest I say 1000?? Ahh, now we come to the heart of this particular file. In an attempt to educate the public, and a fit of stark boredom, I have compiled this file for your drunken amusement. TaDa... LAGER: This is also called PILSNER. It is America's top beer to drink, and also the one you are probably the most familiar with. It is pale yellow or gold in color, and light in body. The flavor derrived is a mild to light hops taste with a high amount of carbonation. The alcoholic content by volume is 3.4% to 4.2% DARK LAGER: This is sweeter tasting that regular LAGER or PILSNER, and is also darker, hence the name. The color comes from the use of roasted barley in the brewing process. However, some cheaper beers use carmel for thier coloring instead of roasted barley. Alcoholic content is about 5% by volume. BOCK : BOCK is a heavier version of the DARK LAGER, but with a sweet malt flavor and a strong hop taste. It is usually brewed during the winter in order to drink it in the spring. The color in this beer comes from heated barley, although sometimes artificial coloring is used by some breweries. It's best to check before buying. The alcoholic content is 10% to 12%. STEAM: This beer is native to California, and takes it's name from the steam that rises in it's special brewing process. The distinct flavor comes from barley malt, the only flavoring used. (Note: most domestic LAGERS are made from a malt of barley mixed with rice or corn) It has a sharp, hop-like taste and a very full body. Alcoholic content is the same as regular LAGERS: 3.4% to 4.2% depending on manufacturer. ALE : ALE is probably most commonly know as the drink of choice in inns across medival Europe. Todays ALES carry that same hearty taste which is fuller bodied than LAGERS and a heavier hop flavor. STOCK ALE : Or COMMON ALE, as it is sometimes called, is very flat tasting. The alcoholic content is 4% to 5%. CREAM ALE : This ALE is slightly bitter to the taste. But it has a light quality about it. Alcoholic content is 5% to 6%. BROWN ALE : A sweet tasting ALE, sometimes refered to as STRONG ALE. Frequently this ALE will have a high carbonation level. It's alcoholic content can go up to as much as 10%. STOUT: The color of this beer is dark, and the taste is quite bitter. Alocoholic content ranges from 5% to 6%. MALT : Know as MALT LIQUOR to some. By definition it is any American brewed beer with an alcoholic content over 5%. Notice the 'American brewed' clause. It is usually a LAGER type beer, with a slightly bitter taste. When choosing a beer, read all labels thouroughly. Words like ALE and Premium don't mean much in today's market. They used to tell how a beer was brewed but with advertising overkill and an attempt to pry the market such terms are just a ploy on the consumer. Many cheaper beers use this method of advertising, such as saying their's is a 'Premium Brew' or something to that effect. Also avoid beers that have been on the shelf longer than eight weeks. Why?? Because the lighter a beer (or less alcoholic content) the shorter shelf life it has. This is usually not a problem when buying American LAGERS (Bud, Coors, Miller, etc.) but can be a problem with imports. Ask the dealer about his storage policy. You can also find out the refrigeration methods. A beer that is consistently refrigerated is more likely to keep than a beer stored at room temperature. All in all it's the taste that really matters, and to each his own. I personally know people who prefer Olympia, if you can believe that one. It's also common knowledge that bottled beers taste better than canned beers...that is to everyone except can dealers. Although some people dislike the initial taste, after a few the palate is deaded to some extent and the taste dissipiates. Eating chips, peanuts, pretzels, or other salty foods has the same affect. I.E. you won't mind the taste as much. Beer is quickly becoming America's drink of choice. In a recent study beer and cola consumption outweigh water in the average American's diet. No my friends, that's not in choice but in how much is drank annually! What does that mean?? It mean's that this will soon be one stewed country, but don't fret for now you know what brew's right for you. Drink up and: May your glass never be empty and your bladder never full... Brought to you by : ThE DeEp ReD zOmBiEs <*>==)A Killer Kult Production(==<*>