Which beers are best?

The Daily Meal reviewed the RateBeer and Beer Advocate ratings, World Beer Awards, World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival winners, and many other ratings to compile the top 50 of the world's best beers.

No. 50 Papaya Rye

Nómada Brewing, Sabadell (Barcelona), Spain

Alcohol: 9%

This beer is dark golden in color - a real explosion of fruit, hops and rye. Malty with hints of tropical fruits and caramel, it is both intense and extremely drinkable. Nómada Papaya Rye scored in the Top 100 and Top Best Imperial IPAs according to RateBeer.

No. 49 Viaemilia

Birrifico del Ducato, Parma, Italy

Alcohol: 5%

A longtime favorite, it has consistently won medals at the World Beer Cup and European Beer Star competitions. Birrifico del Ducato was named Italy's Brewery of the Year in 2010 and 2011 and has won numerous other awards. With herbal, floral and honey notes, this malt beer goes well with prosciutto, another product of the region.

No. 48 Brio

Olgerdin Egill Skallagrimsson, Reykjavik, Iceland

Alcohol: 4.5%

The brewery, named after Egil Skallagrimsson's skald, can be expected to have something outstanding. Brio features notes of herbal and spicy hops and crackers-like malt. This beer, brewed in Icelandic mountain water, has brought home World Beer Cup and World Beer Awards medals.

No. 47 Galaxy IPA

Other Half Brewing, Brooklyn

Alcohol: 6.5%

Hazy peach, resinous, herbaceous yet surprisingly floral, with hints of tropical fruits. Other Half is a rising star in the craft sky, and this IPA ranks as one of the best in New York.

No. 46 Nøgne Ø Porter

Nøgne Ø, Grimstad, Norway

Alcohol: 7%

Outstanding full-bodied porter brewed in Norway - pitch black with aromas of dark chocolate and espresso followed by caramel. He is the Bronze Medalist in the Export Extra Stout category of the 2016 Barcelona Beer Challenge.

No. 45 ManBearPig

Voodoo Brewing Co., Meadville, PA

Alcohol: 14.1%

This powerful beer with maple syrup and local honey is aged in bourbon barrels. It is strong, pitch black and very complex, with a pronounced and long lasting aftertaste. It is ranked among the world's top beers by Beer Advocate 2016.

No. 44 Black Eyed King Imp Vietnamese Coffee Edition

BrewDog, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Alcohol: 12.7%

Ranked in the world top 100 according to RateBeer. It is the world's strongest canned ale - black, intense, with powerful aromas of coffee and cocoa.

No. 43 Breakside IPA

Breakside Brewery, Portland, Oregon

Alcohol: 6.4%

This is a delicious, hoppy IPA with notes of grapefruit, pine needles, resin and tangerines. It has four varieties of hops plus dry hopping. Breakside IPA won a gold medal in the American IPA category at the Best of Craft Beer Awards 2016.

No. 42 Lambo Door

Grimm Artisanal Ales, Brooklyn

Alcohol: 8%

Grimm calls it "pure hop candy." This double IPA with Citra, El Dorado and Simcoe hops, took first place out of 115 double IPA in a blind tasting by Paste magazine. Grimm is one of the pioneers of contract brewing.

No. 41 Samiec Alfa

Browar Artezan, Blonie, Poland

Alcohol: 11%

This barrel-aged miracle is one of RateBeer's Top 50 Imperial Stouts. It has a sweet aroma, low bitterness, pronounced vanilla and toffee notes and a creamy body.

No. 40 St. Feuillien triple

Brasserie St-Feuillien / Friart, Le Rueux, Belgium

Alcohol: 8.5%

Light amber color with pronounced maltiness.Secondary fermentation in the bottle gives a recognizable aroma created by the yeast, resulting in a long maturation, a long aftertaste. Gold medalist of the Barcelona Beer Challenge2016 in the Belgian Tripel category.

No. 39 Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel

Lervig Aktiebryggeri, Copenhagen, Denmark

Alcohol: 10.9%

This top 50 imperial stout is brewed with one of the world's most expensive coffees - yes, the one that made it through the digestive tract of the civet, a picky South Asian mammal that eats only the finest, freshest coffee berries. This is a fairly rare coffee with a strong aroma. It gives the beer an intense smoky profile with notes of toasted bread and toasted vanilla.

No. 38 Avec Les Bons Voeux

Brasserie Dupont, Tourp-Leuze, Belgium

Alcohol: 9.5%

Top-fermented lager beer of copper color, with a light body, dry and sourish. This delicious Belgian farm ale ranks among the world's finest abbey tripels. It is ideal to drink it at cellar temperature, or chilled as an aperitif.

No. 37 Julius

Tree House Brewing Company, Monson, Massachusetts

Alcohol: 6.8%

This chillingly drinkable IPA, with notes of mango and sweet citrus and rounded bitterness. calls it "The Best IPA in the World".

No. 36 Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier

Braueri Heller, Bamberg, Germany

Alcohol: 5.5%

This unfiltered beer with a reddish brown body and large white head has a recognizable smoked meat aroma balanced by cinnamon toast and caramel flavors. Fastenbier means "beer for fasting" and this beer is sold only during the fast - from Ash Wednesday to Easter.

No. 35 Orval

Brasserie d'Orval, Florentville, Villers-devan-Orval, Belgium

Alcohol: 6.2%

A coppery orange beer with a gigantic white head and yeast, lemon aromas and a light, non-dominant aroma. Floral, citrusy and complex dry beers with a medium body. It is also the only beer produced by the Orval Trappist brewery to the general public.

No. 34 Double Barrel Jesus

Evil Twin Brewing, Westbrook Brewing Co., Brooklyn

Alcohol: 12%

Ranked in the top 100 of the best varieties in the world according to RateBeer. It is a matte black stout with notes of bourbon and vanilla and a toffee-like body.

No. 33 Duck Duck Gooze

The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, California

Alcohol: 7%

With its sour taste and aroma, citrus notes, an invigorating acidic finish and light sweetness for balance, this ale has become one of the brewery's best-selling beers since its launch in 2009. It is very difficult to find, as it is brewed only once every three years, and in limited quantities.

No. 32 Oude Geuze

Brouwerij Oud Beersel, Bersel, Belgium

Alcohol: 6%

Classic Belgian ale, cloudy, honey-colored, with a wine-like citric acidity, a hint of spice, tiny bubbles and strong carbonation. It is considered the sparkling wine of the beer world and won the title of Best Sour Beer at the 2016 World Beer Awards.

No. 31 Kormoran Imperium Prunum

Browar Kormoran, Olsztyn, Poland

Alcohol: 11 percent

One of the top 100 according to RateBeer and the best Baltic porter in the world. Explosive notes of prunes, smoked fruits, chocolate and malt.

No. 30 Zombie Dust

Three Floyds Brewing Company, Munster, Indiana

Alcohol: 6.2%

This powerful pale ale is worth buying, if only for the label. But those who are attracted by the unusual pattern are fascinated by the beer itself. Powerful aroma of pine and citrus, in the taste - notes of grapefruit and honey. Included in the top 50 according to Men’s Fitness

No. 29 Péché Mortel

Brasserie Dieu du Ciel !, Quebec, Canada

Alcohol: 6.5%

Coffee is added during the brewing process, resulting in an intense, dense imperial stout with a roasted coffee bean aroma and a slightly tart finish. It is named one of the Best Imperial Stouts by Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine.

No. 28 Two Hearted Ale

Bell's Brewery, Galesburg, Michigan

Alcohol: 7%

Named after the Tu-Harted River in Michigan. This is an invigorating IPA with explosive pine and citrus notes. According to the authors of Beer Advocate, this is one of those beers that will outlive its time.

No. 27 Darkness

Surly Brewing Company, Minneapolis

Alcohol: 9.6%

It is a complex, heavy Russian imperial stout with dark chocolate, fruit and toffee aromas, moderate carbonation, and unconventional aroma hops. He has about 10,000 near-perfect Untappd reviews.

# 26 Oude Geuze Vintage

Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen, Bersel, Belgium

Alcohol: 6%

This gueuze from the vintage series is only sold in Belgium.It is released for sale after several years of storage in the Drie Fonteinen basements - unlike the usual Oude Geuze, which matures for six months. It is up to the brewer to decide which gueuze is going to be vintage - he judges its taste and aging potential. Oude Geuze Vintage is at number 18 on the Beer Advocate's 250 Glorious Beers, based on more than 10 years of reviews.

No. 25 Dinner

Maine Beer Company, Freeport, Maine

Alcohol: 8.2%

Double dry-hopped with over 6 lbs of hops per barrel (230 g / dl), this double IPA has a hazy golden color and a dry, refreshing character. Craft Beer & Brewing magazine rates it with 100 points.

No. 24 Hopslam

Bell's Brewery, Galesburg, Michigan

Alcohol: 10%

Perhaps this double IPA with Northwest hops isn't what you'll be posting home about. However, fans of this beer call all the beer shops in the city, having barely heard the rumor that there are a couple of packages there. Each sip is filled with honey notes, and a sophisticated hopping scheme creates an aromatic, citrusy, bitter, and at the same time refreshing beer.

No. 23 Supplication

Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, California

Alcohol: 7%

This brown ale is aged 12 months with sour cherries in Pinot Noir barrels from Sonoma Valley winemakers. The result is a bright, sour, fruity and slightly aromatic beer with a tangible barrel character.

No. 22 Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier

Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany

Alcohol: 5.4%

A traditional hefeweizen with an earthy forest aroma, well balanced, fruity and dry. Winner of the World Beer Cup gold medal in the Hefeweizen South German Style category.

No. 21 The Abyss

Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon

Alcohol: 11.1%

The notes of licorice in the aroma are given by the addition of cherry bark and vanilla and aging in oak barrels. It is the winner of the 2016 World Beer Awards in the Best Imperial Stout category.

No. 20 Speedway Stout - Bourbon Barrel Aged

AleSmith Brewing Company, San Diego, California

Alcohol: 12%

Matte black with brownish foam. Aromas of chocolate and licorice combined with smoky roasted coffee. Creamy and sweet, this beer is great for aging. It earned 100 points from Craft Beer & Brewing magazine.

No. 19 La Fin du Monde

Unibroue, Quebec, Canada

Alcohol: 9%

A cloudy, yeasty, floral triple gold ale with a medium body and rich flavor. Unibroue Brewers say the beer was brewed to honor the brave European explorers who believed they had reached the end of the world by discovering North America, the New World. World's End has won more awards than any other Canadian beer.

No. 18 Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout

Three Floyds Brewing Company, Munster, Indiana

Alcohol: 15%

Dense and caramel, with notes of chocolate and coffee in the aroma, dried fruit and brown sugar on the palate. You can buy it only at the brewery one day a year - Dark Lord Day (in 2017 it was held on May 13).

No. 17 Parabola

Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles, California

Alcohol: 13.1%

This is an imperial stout that is spoken of as a fine wine. Don't be surprised to hear someone mention notes of tobacco and oak or black coffee and vanilla. This truly complex Russian imperial stout is both sweet and bitter and incredibly difficult to buy. It is aged in bourbon barrels (Pappy Van Winkle, Woodford Reserve, Elijah Craig and others) and then blended.

No. 16 Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock

Schneider Weisse G. Schneider & Sohn GmbH, Kelheim, Germany

Alcohol: 12%

Legend has it that one winter barrels of Aventinus froze during transport. The brewers tasted the remaining unfrozen liquid and were amazed. And you can see why. This is a legendary beer with banana aroma and dried fruit, cocoa and clove flavors.

No. 15 Mornin 'Delight

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, Decora, Iowa

Alcohol: 12%

This imperial stout with a strong espresso aroma and a dense, rich body is ranked third in the Top 50 in the world by RateBeer. Beer Advocate founder Jason Elstrom believes Toppling Goliath will remain a favorite for years to come.

No. 14 Hunahpu's Imperial Stout - Double Barrel Aged

Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida

Alcohol: 11%

Hunahpu's Day tickets ($ 200-400) go on sale every December. This festival takes place in March and fans can be the first to try a new incarnation of their longtime favorite.The ticket price includes 4-12 bottles of this spicy, rich imperial stout, which is aged in half in rum and apple brandy barrels.

No. 13 Pliny the Elder

Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, California

Alcohol: 8%

The ancient Roman erudite writer and philosopher Pliny the Elder called the hops Lupus salictarius - "the wolf in the willows" - although it is not known for certain whether he meant hops. In any case, the double IPA named after him is hazy, coppery-golden, with a piney scent. It is fresh, with perfectly balanced hops and fresh grapefruit flavor. The beer has won gold in the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival, and is considered one of the best West Coast IPAs in history.

No. 12 Westvleteren Extra 8

Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus, Westvleteren, Belgium

Alcohol: 8%

Only six Belgian brands can claim to be produced in Trappist abbeys, and the monks of Saint Sixtus' Abbey in Westvleteren produce the least beer, so their dark ale is in dire shortage. With notes of tea, raisins and black bread, this dubbel is highly carbonated and has a large frothy head.

No. 11 Kentucky Breakfast Stout

Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Alcohol: 11.2%

Finding the incredibly popular Breakfast Stout might have seemed like a daunting task to Founders, but they did it. Aged in oak bourbon barrels in a cellar, this imperial stout is second to none. KBS, brewed with chocolate and coffee, is for lovers who love the hint of bourbon in their beer for breakfast.

No. 10 Ann

Hill Farmstead Brewery, Greensboro Bend, Vermont

Alcohol: 6.5%

Hill Farmstead was named the World's Best Brewery by RateBeer. Anna's honey season is aged for many months in French oak wine barrels and only then becomes Ann. The naturally carbonated beer exhibits a complex citric acidity with hints of green apple.

No. 9 Lou Pepe Kriek

Brasserie Cantillon, Brussels, Belgium

Alcohol: 5%

Each year, Cantillon manages to get a ton or two of the delicate and rare sour cherries from Schaerbeek, whose harvest is unpredictable. Used exclusively for blending, these cherries are steeped in beer for two to three months to create that acidic and juicy cry. Production is limited to a couple of thousand bottles per year due to the limited number of berries. Lou Pepe Kriek is one of Thrillist's 2016 Best Beers.

No. 8 Celebrator

Brauerei Aying, Aying, Germany

Alcohol: 6.7%

Doppelbock stands out among other German styles. This strong but not overwhelming beer with a lush head is aged for six months. Great beer for a party with friends and family.

No. 7 St. Bernardus Abt 12

St. Bernardus Brouwerij, Watau, Belgium

Alcohol: 10%

Powerful, full-bodied, spicy, malty, strong - like drinking an alcoholic fruit cake with chocolate and caramel. This is an Abbey ale brewed in the classic Belgian Quadrupele style following an old Trappist recipe. St. Bernardus is considered one of the best beer brands in the world by the beer community.

No. 6 Bourbon County Brand Stout

Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago

Alcohol: 13.8%

This limited-edition stout is no joke. It has a pronounced black hue with a slight caramel foam, strong aromas of bourbon, vanilla and figs, followed by notes of chocolate and molasses.

No. 5 Heady Topper

The Alchemist, Waterbury, Vermont

Alcohol: 8%

This Vermont Double IPA is incredibly hard to come by - unless you live 50 kilometers from the brewery, but it is loved by beer enthusiasts the world over. This award-winning elusive beer sells out as soon as it hits the market.

No. 4 Rochefort Trappistes 10

Brasserie Rochefort, Rochefort, Belgium

Alcohol: 11.3%

The traditional Belgian Rochefort “blue lid” quadruple is one of the few true Trappist varieties. This malty strong beer, when cold, gives off notes of plum and apricot, and when heated, it reveals the true character of the beer. It is suitable for sipping slowly, like a good scotch or wine. Last October, the beer was the winner of the Belgian Beer Journal's blind tasting of quadruples.

No. 3 Pliny the Younger

Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, California

Alcohol: 10.25%

Named after the nephew and adopted son of the aforementioned Pliny the Elder. Pliny the Younger documented the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, during which his uncle died.This is a true triple IPA (it has three times more hops than usual) and is very difficult, time consuming, and expensive to make. Differs in moderate bitterness and beautiful copper color. Only available on taps and only released for two weeks in early February.

No. 2 Westvleteren 12 (XII)

Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus, Westvleteren, Belgium

Alcohol: 10.2%

This beer is definitely one of the best of the best, and some experts believe that it deserves the first place. This is a real Trappist beer brewed by monks in the Abbey of Saint Sixtus. A dark chestnut brown beer with dark fruit and brown sugar aromas. It is a complex and spicy quadruple with lively carbonation. Ranked # 1 in the Abbey / Quadruple category by RateBeer and 100 points from Craft Beer & Brewing magazine.

# 1 Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, Decora, Iowa

Alcohol: 12%

This barrel-aged imperial coffee stout is extremely difficult to find commercially. It has a powerful maple scent with notes of chocolate and hazelnut. In 2015, Esquire magazine included him in the list of “10 Great Beers You Are Not Likely to Eat,” and was ranked # 1 in the global top 250 on Beer Advocate.

Russians drink up to a million liters of different types of beer every year. Due to the large number of brands, it is difficult to choose the best beer in terms of quality and taste. But due to the criteria that determine the quality, it is possible to make a rating of the best beer drink in Russia.

Natural beer is considered the best. You can make a rating based on the results of test purchases and the purchasing preferences of Russians.
Natural beer has the following characteristics:
• foam;
• color indicator;
• aroma;
• taste quality.

Natural beer foam should be white and remain on the sides of the glass. High-quality light beer should be free of foreign matter. It is characterized by a certain transparency and shine. In dark beers, there is a dullness, no gloss. This beer has a brownish tint.

The aroma of real beer should be hops and fresh. Taking into account the palatability, light beer has a bitter hop flavor, and dark beer has a sweet one. But each customer has their own requirements for beer.

The TOP-10 most delicious beer drinks in Russia include:

10. "Goat"

This classic beer is easy to drink and has a pleasant taste with a delicate bitterness that easily blends with caramel malt notes. The beer has a delicate aroma and a golden hue.

This bottom-fermented beer has been produced since 1874 in the Czech Republic. At the moment, it is issued under license in Russia and other European countries. The product is available in 0.5 and 0.7 liter glass bottles, as well as 0.5 liter aluminum cans.

Types of beer:
• Svetly;
• Medium;
• Premium;
• Cerny.

9. "Afanasy Domashnee"

This is a filtered and lively beer that is not pasteurized. It is dark brown in color with a creamy foam and subtle aroma. Afanasy Domashnee is sold in bulk or in bottles.

This is a variation of Live Beer. Filtered beer can be stored for up to 17 days. Rice aroma, white foam, light taste, dryish sourness - plus "Afanasy Domashny".

8. "Baltika №6"

This Russian beer is dark brown in color with a red tint. The foam has a creamy brownish structure with a strong damp odor. In the taste you can feel the notes of coffee, caramel, prunes, burnt sugar.

Since 2008, Baltika No. 6 Porter and Baltika No. 8 Pshenichnoye have been combined into one series - Baltika Selected. This new look of beer has an original combination. It is brewed with high quality ingredients. Due to its good taste, it can be drunk in large quantities, slowly.

Dark beer is brewed according to old English recipes from solid varieties of hops and according to a special recipe. Unlike Baltika 6, Baltika 8 has a thick dense foam, soft fruity aroma and light sweetness. Since March 2009, Baltika №4 Original has also been included in the Baltika Selected series.

7. "Ochakovo"

This is a light filtered beer that undergoes a pasteurization process. Subtle hoppy aroma, pleasant yellow color are the main characteristics of the drink. Beer "Ochakovo" is considered a well-known brand that has been produced for over 20 years. The drink is produced according to classical technology, using natural raw materials.

The Ochakovo brand appeared back in 1993. It was poured into 0.5 l and 0.33 l glass bottles. This beer was available to many residents of the Russian Federation, while it was of high quality.

Since 1994, the manufacturer began to fill beer in plastic containers that are easy to use. The brand is considered one of the most popular drinks in Moscow.
Beer is often bought before football matches.

Long shelf life is ensured by adherence to technological production regimes, long exposure, sterile and multi-stage filtration technology. Each beer is brewed separately using specific recipes.

6. "Special" Zhigulevskoe

This is a Belarusian beer with a low density and unpleasant hop bitterness with a light color. This is a popular beer brand that is in great demand among Soviet times.

Low density and pleasant hoppy bitterness comes to taste of many beer lovers. Compound:
• water;
• light barley malt;
• malting barley;
• sugar;
• granulated hops;
• hop products.

The volume fraction of alcohol is 4.0% of the turnover. The density is 11%. The energy value of the product is 42 kcal. Beer is produced in the following containers:
• in glass bottles with a capacity of 0.5 liters with a shelf life of 120 days;
• in PET - bottles with a capacity of 1.5 liters with a shelf life of up to 90 days.

5. "Yuzberg"

On the 5th position of the rating is beer "Yuzberg" - it is a light drink with a persistent foam, a weak malt aroma and a mild grain flavor. The beer of this brand is characterized by a powerful banana aroma and bready taste with yeast sourness and thick persistent foam.

The fermentation process is carried out due to a mixed culture of riding yeast and lactic acid bacteria living in symbiosis. The resulting thick flavor is in great demand among beer lovers.

There are some hops, cloves and banana in the aftertaste. Wheat top beer contains natural yeast sediments. A cloudy and viscous alcoholic drink with an amber hue contains up to 2 million / ml of yeast and 4.9% alcohol.

During the brewing process, 3 varieties of malt and 2 varieties of hops are used:
• Weizenmalz brewing wheat malt;
• malt malting barley Pilsner Malz;
• malt barley malt Karamel Malz.
Perle and Traditional hops are also used.

4. Baltika №3

The 4th position is occupied by beer "Baltika №3". This beer has a transparent golden hue with a persistent foam and rich malt taste, has bitterness and hop aroma.

3. "Russian Imperial Stout"

It is a specific type of dark beer that has a rich grain and roasted malt flavor with a dried fruit flavor. The color of the drink is similar to charcoal, and the foam has a brown tint. It is dense.

2. "Shaggy Bumblebee"

On the 2nd position of the rating is the author's beer "Shaggy Bumblebee". This brand is characterized by a sweetish floral aroma, with notes of caramel and herbs. The taste is soft and pleasant, which allows you to drink it in large quantities. Fruit and iris are felt in the aftertaste. The color is brown with a reddish tint.

1. "Athanasius" Porter

The first position is occupied by the manufacturer "Afanasy" Porter. Pasteurized, densely saturated and filtered beer has a dark hue and aroma of combustible hops. The finish is classic.

Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks. It is made from malt, which is created by sprouting barley seeds. The composition of high-quality beer explains the presence of a large amount of vitamins and microelements in it. Whatever skeptics and opponents of this drink may say, it is useful. But, of course, we are talking about a quality product that is made only from good and correct raw materials.Today it is very difficult to understand a large number of varieties and brands of beer. But there are certain quality standards and time-tested products from the best manufacturers.

A bit of history

Where did this amazing drink - beer come from? Its varieties are very numerous today. Since ancient times, it has been mentioned in folklore along with honey. It was perceived as a simple drink and was not associated with alcohol. At first, the term "beer" meant any alcoholic beverage created artificially. Then ol appeared. It is a drink similar to beer, but thicker and stronger. It was prepared on the basis of barley, hops, wormwood, potions and herbs. It is believed that beer owes its existence to baking. The drink was not immediately recognized. Once upon a time people used more wine. But during the times of Russia's isolation due to the Tatar-Mongol yoke, the church was forced to use beer (strong) in religious rituals. Gradually, this drink became popular. The church received permission to brew and began to expand its production. Initially, beer was made by fermenting rye malt and warm water. It was produced in large quantities. They brewed beer on big holidays, and the whole community took part in this. The benefits of the drink were considered affordable raw materials and tax exemption. But the laboriousness of the process did not add to its popularity.

Few facts

The composition of beer contains many useful substances that are retained during the brewing process. It is especially rich in vitamin B. This drink contains carbon dioxide, which helps accelerate blood flow and kidney function. Beer contains about 30 trace elements and minerals. They are found in malt, the starting material. But, of course, there are also harmful substances in the foamy drink that are contraindicated in large quantities, especially for pregnant women and children. And in general, in everything you need to know the measure in order to give yourself pleasure, benefit, and not harm.

Classification

The names of the beer, which can be seen on store shelves or in bars, do not mean anything to many. We are used to buying a drink that tastes familiar, without thinking about the composition or quality. But today it is customary to subdivide beer, the varieties of which are very numerous, into several categories. This drink is distinguished depending on the preparation technology and the raw materials used. The main categories in the classification are dark, light and wheat beer. Of course, this is not a complete list.

Dark beer

Dark beer is a low alcohol drink. It is made by alcoholic fermentation. Hops, barley malt and water are used as raw materials. The rich color of the drink is due to the high degree of malt roasting and its amount. For the preparation of such beer, take caramel dark malt. It is worth noting that when roasted, it loses the enzymes that are needed to sugar the wort. Therefore, dark beers are always produced using raw materials used for the production of light drinks. A distinctive feature of this species is the characteristic malt flavor and hop bitterness, but in moderation. The division of the drink into categories by color is not accepted in all countries. This classification is used in Russia and some European countries.

Dark beer: what varieties are there

Stout beers are classified as top-fermented beers. The color is given by dark hops, which are used for production. Beer stout has a roasted malt aroma and high viscosity. In turn, it is subdivided into bitter and sweet varieties. Ale is another type of dark beer. It has a golden brown hue. It is produced only in Britain and Belgium. Porter is a strong, medium-gravity beer. Initially, it was alcohol of three types: old ale, strong and weak beer. He was not a fully ripe drink. Now it is a bottom-fermented variety with a dark color and a sweetish taste. And finally, the March beer, which is made from heavily roasted malt. This drink matures the longest, contains more alcohol and has a viscous structure. This beer is strong.

Light beer

This type is characterized by a foamy structure, excellent aroma and softness of taste, although all these indicators depend on the variety. The beer contains malt wort and brewer's yeast, which contribute to the fermentation process. The drink has a pronounced hop bitterness. Light varieties of malt are used for cooking, and the color depends on the degree of its roasting. Dark malt is also added, but the percentage is minimal.

Light beer brewing process

The quality of beer largely depends on the technology of its preparation. This process begins with the germination of cereal plants, usually barley is taken. Then the sprouts are cleaned and dried. After that, the malt is crushed and mixed with water. As a result, the starch is broken down and the desired sugar level is reached. Now they begin to extract the wort. For this, the resulting mixture is filtered. Then hops are added to the wort and the drink is boiled. In the process, the hops release some oils and resins, which make the beer aromatic and tasty. After that, the hop and barley residues are separated, or the wort is clarified. Then it is pumped into a fermentation tank, as a result of which the wort is saturated with oxygen necessary for the fermentation process, and brewer's yeast is added. After a few weeks or even months (depending on the variety), ripening occurs. It turns out unfiltered beer. Such a drink is stored for a very short time and is called alive. As a result of filtration, yeast residues are removed, and the shelf life is increased. But many people prefer light, unfiltered beer. Further pasteurization is carried out in order to reduce the activity of microorganisms and extend the shelf life. However, as many believe, the taste of the beer is reduced from this. Pasteurization is used for filling drinks in cans and bottles.

Wheat beer

This is a beer brewed using wheat malt. In some countries, wheat is used for this, which has not sprouted. This drink is considered ideal for drinking in the summer, in the heat. Beer names contain the phrase Weiss beer. It quenches thirst well, has a delicious aroma, abundant foam and citrus notes. Wheat beer comes in three varieties. Germanic - called weisen or weissbier. The Belgian drink is witbir. The third type is sour wheat beer. Here you can distinguish the German Weiss or Gose and the Belgian lambic. Each variety has its own unique taste and aroma, which depend on the cooking technology.

Classification by processing method

Unpasteurized beer is isolated here, which is stored from 8 to 30 days, depending on whether it is a light drink or a dark one. If stabilizers are added, the shelf life rises to three months. The use of preservatives increases this figure to one year. Pasteurized beer goes through additional processing stages. The uncoated drink is cold sterilized.

Camp varieties

This is a special kind of beer that is flavored with fruit. The product is distinguished by a preparation technology similar to the production of wine. The best beers are light drinks, although there are some darker ones. A small amount of hops is used in production, so the product has a light and soft taste. Many types of beer Pilsner, Bocks, Doppelbocks are classified as lagers. Pilsner was the first clear drink made in the Czech Republic. Lager beers gradually conquered the market, displacing many wheat varieties.

Porter

Porter is a beer made from three types of ale: matured, young and light. This is what authoritative brewery documentation says. Mixing drinks with different degrees of maturity allowed us to create a product with a pleasant and moderate taste. In the beginning, this beer was very strong. The technology of its preparation was not very thorough. The popularity of the drink began to decline, and it was replaced by ale and lager varieties. But with the development of home breweries, the revival of porter took place, and today it occupies a worthy place in the total mass of production.The best varieties of this drink include Anchor Porter, Catamount Porter, Fuller's London Porter, Wachusett's Black Shack Porter, Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter and some others.

Live beer of the "Schmikbirwerk" brewery

Finding quality beer is not so easy. The manufacturer must adhere to the technology and use only the best ingredients. However, the small brewery Shmikbirverk, located in the Vladimir region, produces only the best beverages. All ingredients are sourced from Germany and the water is taken from a local artesian well. This is a live beer that is not bottled, so you can only buy it on the bottle. Live yeast bacteria continue their vital activity even in glasses. This is the highlight of the drink. Unfiltered beer has a brighter and more original taste due to the yeast sediment. Although yeast is not used in beer production. This product has a short shelf life, so you cannot find a live drink on the shelves (in bottles). But it retains all its properties when frozen. Live beer has a good, dense head that lasts to the bottom of the glass. Its color is light, but cloudy. The taste has a pronounced floral bouquet, with a slight acidity and sweet, caramel shades. This beer does not belong to spirits. We can say that this is a drink for true connoisseurs.

Bock, or bok-bir

It is a strong drink of Bavarian origin. Low fermentation dark beer, which matures additionally for several months in special refrigerators. There are varieties here: Maibock, Bock, Double Bock, Eisbock and Helles Bock. Under the influence of low temperature, part of the water is frozen and the strength of the drink increases. Dornbusch Bock is produced according to all the traditions of Munich monasteries. Harpoon Maibock is a bock beer classic. This variety has a rich chestnut color, excellent taste with malt and hop notes.

Beer gueuze

This is a special beer that is not inferior to champagne in appearance and taste. The best Belgian brewers use champagne technology. This is a combination of young and old lambic (spontaneously fermented beer), which creates an extraordinary taste during the re-fermentation process. The drink is poured into special bottles with a concave bottom. Thanks to the special sealing method, the product resembles a bottle of sparkling wine. Then the beer is aged for about 2 years. The result is a highly carbonated, sparkling and slightly cloudy drink. It has a slightly tart aroma and a slightly sour taste with fruity undertones. The most popular gueuze varieties are Jacobins Gueuze, Cantillon Gueuze, Boon Gueuze, Cuvee Rene and Oude Gueuze. Refrigerate them before use. The drink is poured into champagne glasses or other similar utensils.

Smoked beer

These varieties are rarely prepared. Green malt is dried over an open fire using beech wood. From this, the taste of smoked meat appears. This beer is usually dark in color and resembles the Oktoberfestbier variety. Sometimes peat-dried malt is used. But this makes the beer taste different. The best brands of smoked beer are Rogue's Smoke Ale, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen & Ur-Bock, Jinx. These manufacturers keep all the traditions of production and use only the best raw materials.

Numerous brands and varieties of beer are a chance to discover the bright notes of a foamy drink, choosing for yourself the type that will fully satisfy all preferences and taste preferences.

Once upon a time, undiluted beer and posters like "Demand Foam Sludge" were invariable symbols of the brewing of our country. Times have changed, and now the symbols of domestic brewing have become the diuretic breath of the Ochakovsky brewery and two pillars on which pseudo-intoxicated (because beer is powder) happiness and cirrhosis of the liver of the whole country are held: Okhota Strong and Baltika 9. There are also beer drinks like the unfading Blazer, but this is, so to speak, "for the elite." If September did not burn, then it is difficult to understand the subtle pleasant notes in one and a half liters of hellish disgrace. But at the same time there is more or less good draft beer.It is, of course, more expensive, and this does not guarantee that it will be pleasant and not sour in taste, but faith in its naturalness and taste dies last.

Smart people prefer not to delve into such trifles. Smart people have long understood: there is no need to look for pearls in Deshman beer. Better to save, drink less often, but good, high-quality export beer. Not craft beer, where a bad taste does not draw out the naturalness of production (although there are a lot of good things among craft beer), namely the varieties tested by time, tasters all over the world and millions of drunkards. It is these varieties that make beer liquid gold and take the art of beer drinking to a completely different level, making the drink no less exquisite than wine. And sometimes just as expensive. Of course, there are many more such varieties, but any great business starts small. So we decided to list only six and briefly tell where and why they were born.

Well, what a story without a good soundtrack. Fortunately, we live in the same country with Yuri Loza, who has songs for all occasions. But his best song (not about "Little Raft") he dedicated, of course, to this nectar of the gods. It's just that when you write at 6 in the morning, from a wild hangover, barely turning your cast-iron head after consuming an excess of the draft unfiltered and alcoholized compote named after Igor Nikolaev (raspberry wine), then you understand that life has turned its back intoxicated.

1. Hefeweizen

In the Middle Ages, Hefeweizen was one of the most famous wheat beers in what is now Germany. "Hefeweizen", which translates as "wheat yeast," is cloudy, like your future, unfiltered drink, to which gourmets and tasters attribute a distinct fruity, clove-banana flavor and spicy aroma.

A good, orthodox and lovingly brewed Hefeweizen should have a refreshing smooth taste, making it an ideal barbecue candidate. And let the excessive carbonation of wheat ambrosia not confuse you, these are not evil bubbles of warm cola shaken up on a hot summer day, but tender, small and numerous beer gaziki.

We recommend: Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan Hefe Weissbier, Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu Hefe-Weisse, Paulaner Brauerei Hefe-Weissbier Naturtrüb

2. India pale Ale

A favorite of numerous craft breweries, India pale Ale was born in the hottest breweries of the southern, British colonies. English brewers began adding extra hops to the brew to extend the life of the ale in hot climates. In theory, he was supposed to extend the shelf life of the drink, especially during long travels. Tired of the peroxidized shmurdyak and tasteless kvass passed off as beer, English colonists and civilians pounced on the new variety like hungry pigs on human meat (if you remember, of course, Kirpich's story about how to get rid of a corpse).

Since then, brewers have had a new variety, Bohemia has a favorite flavor that stands out from the rest, and the ale itself has its name - Indian Pale Ale.

We recommend: The Alchemist Heady Topper, Russian River Brewing Company Pliny the Younger, Lawson's Finest Liquids Double Sunshine IPA.

3. Imperial stout

Another favorite among connoisseurs, degenerates, aristocrats and people with good taste. Imperial Stout is a dark beer with roots found in 18th century London. Another well-known name for beer is Russian Imperial Stout. No, it was not brewed in Russia, the main supplier of beer at that time was Britain. It's all about the way of transportation. Even then, a clear gradation of varieties appeared: porter for the poor, stout for the rich, and light beer was not in great demand. But the fact is that under the conditions of difficult and long transportation across the Baltic, beer literally became a victim of violence: constant pumping and storage conditions turned ragweed into an unthinkable, tasteful vomit burda. Fearful of losing a heavy drinking client (although at that time we were far from the most drinking nation), the cunning British simply increased its density.The beer has become stronger, but thanks to the special grain grain, burnt malt and special hops, it has not lost its rich taste. Black as a bastard, almost opaque color is another distinctive feature of beer. And like any good beer, the bitterness of 8-12 rpm does not feel like the "Fat Man Strong". This is probably why the noble beer lover Catherine II loved him so much.

We recommend: 3 Floyds Brewing Co. Bourbon Barrel Aged Vanilla Bean Dark Lord, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Parabola, Dark Horse Brewing Co. Bourbon Barrel Aged Plead the 5th.

4. Pilsner

We stumbled to the famous and widely available Czech beer in the broad masses of the planet. Oddly enough, this beer was born in the Czech city of Pilsen (then still Bohemia) in 1842. This variety was the fruit of the protest of local residents who protested against the terrible quality of "liquid gold". For a Czech, beer is the meaning of life and the only reason for joy. Nothing else can stretch his gloomy face into a smile. But at that time (apparently, the fault was the Austrian rule, which included Bohemia) the beer was so bad that citizens threw out into the streets in protest. To solve this problem, the local brewery hired the Bavarian brewer Josef Groll to create beer of high standards. He, without further ado, took as a basis the method of bottom fermentation, so popular in his homeland, and gave Czech hysterics a clean, golden beer with a smooth, refreshing taste. But, in truth, in the same Czech Republic there are varieties that are much tastier, more interesting and, oddly enough, older. In any case, Pilsner Urquell is inferior, in the opinion of many, to the same Krusovice.

We recommend: Pilsner Urquell, Samuel Adams Noble Pils, Lagunitas Brewing Co. Pils.

5. Bock

Stronger than a typical lager, Bock is an old strong drink that dates back to 14th century Germany and has a rich flavor. It began to be brewed in the city of Einbeck, and in those days, as soon as the backwater received the status of a city, it automatically received the right from the monarch to brew its own beer. These are the economic features of the Middle Ages. Beer was transported everywhere, even to southern Italy, and in order to survive the uneven and short journey, it was made stronger.

German monks typically brew this beer for special occasions and holidays, including Christmas and Easter. At one time, the same monks increased its density and strength. The fact is that Boke has an obscenely high content of nutrients, so the beer is very satisfying and high in calories. In those ancient times, when beer replaced hard-to-find clean drinking water, beer was not banned during Lent.

Therefore, the Italian monks called to serve in Bavaria found a loophole in their ascetic lenten menu and went around all so well groomed, but with a magnificent belly, like a cursed pig.

By the way, the most classic way to use Bock is to take a bite with a hefty German sausage bockwurst. He took a bite, took a sip, became addicted.

We recommend: Anchor Brewing Co. Anchor Bock Beer, New Glarus Brewing Back 40 Bock, St. Nikolaus Bock Bier.

6. Oktoberfest

One of the most recognizable seasonal beers in the world "Oktoberfest" is brewed for the festival of the same name, no matter how strange it may seem. Every self-respecting Bavarian brewery brews such a charm, including the sleek, intoxicating mastodon Paulainer, as well as several foreign breweries (especially against the background of visiting breweries, a couple of American ones stand out, founded, of course, by German immigrants and brewing according to the very old German technologies). It is also known as “Merzen” (in German “Mart”), because beer is brewed in the spring, and then it is stored in dark cellars and luxurious barrels until autumn. And this has been going on since the 16th century. Bavarians value their traditions. Since then, nothing has changed: neither the dark color of the beer, nor the rich hop flavor, nor the ease of drinking.

We recommend: Paulaner Brewery Oktoberfest Märzen, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest-Märzen, Great Lakes Brewing Company Oktoberfest.