The Keg & I
Fascination with beer has reached new heights among consumers and I am always asked common questions about it. Do you know your beer basics? Let’s talk about a few.
All beer styles fall under two categories, ale or lager. The difference is the yeast used in fermentation. Lager yeast require lower temperatures (+/- 36°F) for optimum performance while ales are fermented warmer (+/- 67°F). Lager yeast is called bottom fermenting yeast while ale yeast is top fermenting because the cells congregate in that area of the fermenting vessel.
Yeast metabolize sugar and produce alcohol and CO2 and thrive in warm temperatures. However, allowing that environment to get out of hand allows yeast to produce flavor compounds (esters) and fusel alcohols that are undesirable. Colder fermentation’s temper those characteristics. That is why lager beers taste clean and crisp. Ales are fermented warmer and tend to have more fruity flavors from the increased production of esters. Certain ales are fermented up to 75°F to intensify esters classic for the style. However, beer fermented warmer than that will risk the creation of fusel alcohols that are consistent with solvent-like flavors and hangovers!
As a beer lover, learn which styles are ales and which are lagers. Stout, for instance, is an ale while Pilsner is a lager. The Beer Judge Certification Program is considered the authority on style definitions. They literally wrote the book on it. The BJCP Beer Style Guidelines are the standard reference by beer judges worldwide. You can download a copy at www.bjcp.org. It is the educated beer drinker’s bible and contains a wealth of information. There’s even a free mobile app!
Every beer lover is essentially a beer judge. As such, you need a standard by which you can make comparative decisions or opinions. If you are truly an informed beer enthusiast, you will not only be familiar with the style definitions but have knowledge of world-class beers/brands, know the brewers and breweries that have set benchmarks in the industry and have a command of brewing resources.
Beer in the Keys is getting better by the day. Follow this column to stay on top of it. As the Conch Republic’s Official Beer Ambassador, it is has been my duty and pleasure to improve your craft beer experience over the past twenty years yet I feel my tenure has just begun! If you’re a local beer bubba, become one officially by joining the Conch Republic BUBBAs (Brewers United Brewing Better Ales), the first and only brew club in “the nation!” Meet local brewers and beer lovers on the first Wednesday each month, always in a different craft beer location. At least get on the email list to receive BUBBA Blasts about club news and events that you can participate in as a non-member. Visit Bone Island Brewing at the Restaurant Store/Cole’s Peace (1111 Eaton Street) for more info. Not only will you enjoy a great beer at the brewery, you will learn more about it and how to enjoy it better!
Jim Brady is Brewer/President of Bone Island Brewing Inc., Certified Cicerone beer sommelier, Recognized Beer Judge and the Conch Republic’s officially appointed (Beer) Ambassador to Ninkasi. He can be reached at [email protected].
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