Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Ale, Beer or Lager...today it's the latter!

Americans love their food and their beer! It is estimated that more than 99 million Americans regularly drink beer. Drinking-age Americans consuming a minimum of one beer a day makes beer America's top choice alcoholic drink over wine and hard liquor. Understand that is a estimate of those who are of 'drinking age'! That makes beer as American as apple pie! The U. S. brewing industry is a dynamic part of our national economy, contributing billions of dollars in wages and taxes.

Beer is not just 'beer'. There are different beer Types and Styles: types = ales, lagers, stouts & porters, malts and styles = amber, blonde, dark, golden, pale, light, as well as fruit and honey (just to name a few). The one preferred is simply a matter of personal taste. Today's celebration focuses on the beer that is the world's most popular, except in England where ale is the one preferred.

December 10 is...

National Lager Day

What is lager? Lager originates from the German word lagern which means 'to store' – it refers to the method of storing it for several months in near-freezing temperatures. Crisp and refreshing with a smooth finish from longer aging, lagers are the world's most popular beer (this includes pilseners).

A lager, which can range from sweet to bitter and pale to black, is usually used to describe bottom-fermented brews of Dutch, German, and Czech styles. Most, however, are a pale to medium colour, have high carbonation, and a medium to high hop flavour.

A Bit of American Lager History...

Samuel Adams Boston Lager helped lead the American beer revolution, reviving a passion for full-bodied brews that are robust and rich with character. The brand name of Samuel Adams (often abbreviated to Sam Adams, even in advertisements), was chosen in honor of Samuel Adams, an American patriot famous for his role in the American Revolution and the Boston Tea Party. According to tradition, he was also a maltster.

If you are not a beer drinker, there are some great recipes for cooking with beer! Just remember for today be sure to choose a lager!