Beer, the number one alcoholic choice for celebration around the world. Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day, Earth Day or St. George’s Day, which we will discuss this week, this is the best beverage to accompany those famous words, “Cheers” .
Beer is the world’s oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea. But what else is there to know about this tasty beverage. Well pay attention and lets find out.
A lager is crisp and refreshing with a smooth finish from longer aging. They are the world’s most popular beer and include pilseners. A lager goes great with lighter tasting foods like grilled chicken, turkey, and mild flavored seafood like mussels, scallops and white fish.
An ale is generally robust and complex with a variety of fruit and malt aromas. Match an ale with fuller bodied meals such as steak, pork, lamb or stews.
A light beer is lighter in color and mild in flavor. Has fewer calories and/or lower alcohol content. Pair a light with Mexican or Italian, something spicy, or a light meal like a salad or sushi.
Stout is deep, dark and flavorful. Intense malt and caramel flavors ranging from sweet to dry and distinctly bitter. Stout compliments shellfish, hearty stews and wild game.
Wheat beer is light and easy to drink. Wheat provides a soft character and is sometimes hazy or cloudy with a touch of spice hints. Wheat is great with any egg dish, spicier meals, a stronger tasting fish (salmon) and salads.
An amber beer is full bodied malt aromas with hints of caramel. Can be either a lager or ale. An amber goes nicely with chicken, most cheeses, and burgers and is very versatile.
Specialty beers include a wide range of styles such as strong beers, fruit beers, honey beers or bock beers. They range in alcohol content from 5% to 9%. Specialty beers will compliment different types of meals, honey with chicken, fruit with dessert or a strong beer after dinner on its own.
Like a great glass of wine, beer will compliment many different types of food. So whether you drink an ale, lager, light, stout, amber, wheat or specialty beer, instead of sticking with your favorite one , give them all a try and let me know what you think.
Cheers….Glenn, The Drink Guy
