If you are not a regular beer drinker, you may not realize that there is a huge difference in flavors between the various types of brews. For instance, many people prefer to drink lager over ale, while others enjoy porters or stouts. So, what is the flavor difference between porters, ales and lagers?

• Lager – Lager drinkers love the taste of their beers, which can range in taste from sweet to bitter, and from pale to black in color. The most popular lagers are pale to medium in color and have a lot of carbonation. The hop flavor is medium to high. You will find many different types of lagers out there, with the most popular being pilsner or pilsner.
• Ale – Ale is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks on the planet, originally made mainly from malted barley until the 15^th century when hops were introduced by the Netherlands, and people started brewing what became known as beer. These days, ale is different from lager because of the way it ferments. Rather than fermenting on the bottom of a vat, it does its work at the top, which is a quicker process. This process also creates more esters and turns less sugar into alcohol, which is why it has a sweeter taste than lager or porter. You will find many different varieties of ale, including India pale ale, mild ale, bitter ale and brown ale, just to name a few.
• Porter – This is a type of ale that is very different in flavor from all the rest. Its aroma is malty, and it has both the bitterness of hops and the bittersweet taste of chocolate that makes it fun and interesting. This is a strong, dark brew, and it is traditionally created with soft water, where others are brewed with hard water.

When it comes right down to it, the beer you enjoy will depend on a number of factors, including taste. Try some of the different types, including lager, ale and porter, and see which ones become your favorites and join the list of drinks that you will be serving at your next get-together.

Interested in knowing more about the history and evolution of craft beers? My latest book The American Book of Craft Breweries reveals all – get your copy today!

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When you watch commercials for various types of beer, you hear all kinds of different terms, such as ale (also known as pale ale) and India pale ale. What is the difference between these two drinks? They are both golden in color, they both have bubbles, and they both have a nice, smooth taste. You might be surprised to learn that there are many differences between IPAs and regular ales.

• Ale – Way back in the olden days, there weren’t the many different varieties of beer that we have today. In fact, there were only three types of beer. In England, lighter malts were referred to as pale as opposed to beverages made with darker malts. Pale ales have a range of gold shades, and are often more bitter due to the hops used. In fact, ale is sometimes referred to as bitter. You can taste the malt, which is somewhat sweet, and be able to enjoy a strong aroma. There is a huge difference between American-style pale ale and English-style pale ale, because the American version is more citrusy than its brother from across the pond. Some fruits used to brew American ale are lemons and even peaches.
• India Pale Ale – It’s funny how some things come about. If it hadn’t been for England’s military and trading presence in India in the 18^th century, we may never have developed this wonderful drink. Beer that was exported ended up sour and flat by the time it reached India, so it was necessary to find better ways to preserve the drink. The result was an increase in hops and alcohol content, and India pale ale (or IPA) came into being. IPAs have a stronger aroma, and are less fruity than other ales, and the pine and citrus flavors in the hops really shine through. IPAs also have more carbonation than other pale ales.

Now you know the main differences between IPAs and regular pale ales. You will find many home-brewers making both types of drinks, and they are very popular craft beers that microbreweries produce regularly. The next time you are searching for a cold, refreshing drink, try one of the popular ales or IPAs.

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With more than 100 breweries, Pennsylvania is well-known for having some of the finest-tasting beers in the United States. The only problem with having so many breweries in one area is that it makes it tough to be able to choose a favorite, because so many of them are great. So, what makes a brew great anyway? Is it the aroma? Is it the taste? Is it the color? Or is it the combination of these and many other factors that make a great beer?

It’s All a Matter of Taste

A drink that is great to one person may not be so great to another person, and vice versa. Everyone has different tastes, and we all tend to like different beers for different reasons. While there are dozens of different varieties, the two that seem to be the most popular in the US are lager and ale, and you will find many varieties of both. Here is a quick breakdown of each:

• Lager – The yeast sinks to the bottom in a process known as bottom fermenting. The yeast used to make lager needs cooler temperatures during fermentation. Lager is usually light in color and has a drier taste than ales, and it is the most popular type of beer in the US.
• Ale – The yeast gathers at the surface before settling on the bottom. Fermentation must happen in warm temperatures in order for the yeast to work. Ale has a higher alcohol content and a richer taste than lager.

Pennsylvania Breweries

The list of breweries in Pennsylvania is so long that space prohibits them from all being listed here. Some of these breweries were founded more than 100 years ago and are still in operation, while others are more recently formed but still popular. Some of the most popular breweries and microbreweries in the state are:

• Breweries – Pittsburgh Brewing Company (founded in 1861), Vecenie Distributing Company (founded in 1933), Yeungling (founded in 1829, this is the oldest brewery in the US).
• Microbreweries – Troegs Brewing Company (founded in 1997), Sly Fox Brewery (founded in 1995), Victory Brewing Company (founded in 1996).

There is a lot more to crafting a fine beer than you may think, and more and more people are becoming interested in the process. You will find dozens of microbreweries in Pennsylvania, and more are popping up all the time.

Want to know more about American craft breweries? My latest book The American Book of Craft Breweries reveals all – get your copy today!

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Lately more and more people are going out on the town to enjoy themselves. They are visiting pubs all around the country and to enjoy partaking of new ales that are on the market. Domestic brands of beer are taking on a whole new twist as the pubs themselves have gotten a facelift.

Within the last five years, many pubs are starting something new in the way of offering their patrons something different. They now have beergardens where you do not have to settle for what you would call an ordinary brew.

• Gardens – Beergardens originally started in Germany. They are large outdoor spaces that replicate a home patio. You can sit outside with your friends and enjoy ales from all over the world. They are in almost every city in the United States. Many people gather to them in the weekends and enjoy live music while they drink.
• Selection - Many pubs have opened up recently offering a large selection of brews to choose from. They usually are selected from a unique menu where you can pick anything from mild IPAs to fruity lagers. Popular brews that have just come onto the market include Lambic, which is an ale that is fermented with fruits. It is much heavier than your typical ale and comes in varieties such as cherry, raspberry and pear.
• Domestics Brands - There are domestic brands of brew that have taken on a whole new appeal. For instance Michelob has manufactured several brews that are fruity. They are infused with fruits such as cherry and even chocolate, even though it is not considered a fruit by any means.
• Microbrews - These are some of the most sought after brews of all time. Microbrews are sweeping the nation as they are distinct enough to appeal to the senses of the individual. Some of the more popular types of these brews are Dogfish Head, Flying Dog, Flat Tire and Troegs. There are literally hundreds more of these craft beers on the market, far too many to list.

The items listed above are new trends in brews and pubs. More people are trying these as they are an alternative to the ordinary brews that they are used to drinking. If you haven’t had the opportunity to go out and try a new pub or ale, you may want to consider doing so for the experience.

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So you want to start homebrewing? You may have never thought of doing this before, but the popularity of brew drinking has been on the rise lately. There are some things that you must know before getting into this project. You are not going to have a craft beer produced overnight, but you will with the proper ingredients.

First off, you are going to need a place to do the brewing. It is highly recommended that you find a large open space where you can move around and have room for all of your necessities. The room must also be properly ventilated. A garage will work for this project as it offers space and lots of room.

Here are some other things that you’re going to need in order to produce home brew:

• Cooker - You’re going to need something that allows you to boil the yeast. You can use an outdoor cooker as it will boil the ingredients or take it into the kitchen and use the stove. Don’t worry, you won’t need that large of a pot because you are doing this on a smaller scale.
• Yeast - What’s a brew without yeast? The yeast is generally boiled as that is what ferments the sugar base. You need all of this in order to get a taste in your ale because without it you would be drinking nothing more than warm water with yeast and some sugar. That wouldn’t be good for anybody.
• Strainer and Thermometer - You will definitely need these two items. You need to pour the wort through the strainer. The small holes will capture the wort so it does not fall into the sink. The thermometer is obviously for checking the temperature of your mix. You need this in order to get the brew to a certain degree.
• Containers – You will need this for the brewing process because they hold the beer in them. They come in glass as well as plastic and are available in seven gallon increments. These are the most vital instruments because how else are you going to hold the liquid?

These are just some of the items you will need in order to start homebrewing. You can get them online or at any specialty in your area. You should have fun with this project and think of creative ways to make your ales.

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The love for an ice cold brew is as American as apple pie. It’s what most people long for in the summertime and while enjoying an evening game at the ballpark, but what about brews other than domestics? There is a whole other world of beer out there. They are a fairly new concept called microbrews.

Microbrews are generated by individuals who produce them either at home or in a very small brewery at a minimum cost. They are usually bottled and come with some unique labeling. For instance, a brand called Magic Hat makes a lager with the Cheshire cat on it from the children’s story Alice in Wonderland. Lately, these brews have become popular. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

• Brooklyn Brewery – This is a small brewery located in none other than Brooklyn. Their lager is one of the top sellers in the city and outside of it. They make a seasonal brew called the Post Road Pumpkin that can only be found from October to November.
• Troegs – This is a brewery located in the hills of Pennsylvania. They have been in business for more than ten years now and are still going strong. Some of their more popular offerings are Golden Monkey, Mad Elf and the Troegenator. They are all very good tasting and high in alcohol content.
• Dogfish Head – This brewery can be found near the shores of Rehoboth, Delaware. They make some of the best tasting brews around. This is a very small company that has branched out in the last couple of years. Their brews range feature ingredients including pumpkin spice and raisons. These are just some of the few outrageous things that go into such goodness.
• Stone Brewing Co. – Brewed in the North Country of San Diego, this company is best known for its Arrogant Bastard Ale. That is their most popular seller and has been for some time. This beer has won many awards and is recognized for its unique bottling.

The next time you are looking for something different, pick up a six pack of assorted microbrews. There are so many delicious varieties to choose from as each one is individually crafted to fit your taste.

Want to know more about craft beers? My latest book The American Book of Craft Breweries reveals all – get your copy today!

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It’s always great to root for the underdog in sports and movies, but have you ever thought of which underdog breweries are out there? This may not have crossed your mind because there are so many brews on the market today. If you haven’t found one you really love, you always have the option to try more.

So to answer your question, there are plenty of American breweries that fall under the underdog category. Here is a list of some of the more popular ones. If you like them, you should give them a try and help support these companies.

• Flying Dog – This is a very small brewery currently located in Frederick, Maryland. It was started in 1990 by a Coloradan man who had a small dream. It is not a craft beer that many look for, but the taste definitely should. It is a lager that comes with a heavy wheat taste. It is one of those brews that can only be called one thing – different.
• Magic Hat – Magic Hat was created and crafted in Vermont. They have a large selection of different beers, but the Number 9 brew is one that should win an award for the best brew ever. It has fruity tones to it and comes labeled with cool designs on the bottle.
• Troegs – Treog’s brewery is located in the sweet valley of Hershey, Pennsylvania. They brew many different brands; the most popular are Golden Monkey and Mad Elf. But if you’re looking for either one, you may have to take a trip to Pennsylvania in order to get it. Also, Mad Elf can only be found around the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Dogfish Head – This is a brewery located in Rehoboth, Delaware and is nothing short of amazing. There are many varieties of Dogfish Head as they also have a small restaurant in their brewery. The most underrated craft beer that they make is called Punkin Ale. Every October to November you can find this delicious ale. The taste alone will make you hungry for pumpkin pie.

These are some of the most popular and most underrated breweries in the United States. They need more consumers in order to make them a successful as they deserve to be. Look them up online and see where you can purchase some of their wonderful brews. You’ll really be happy that you did.

Want to know more about American craft breweries? My latest book The American Book of Craft Breweries reveals all – get your copy today!

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Going to the beach can be a very exciting time. With all that it has to offer, what’s not to like about it? You have the water, sun, boardwalk and everything that you possibly need accept one thing – brew. Brews can be fun when they are brought along. They just fit right into the whole feel of things.

You more than likely already have a favorite brand that you take with you in your cooler, but let’s take a look at some of the more popular ones. You may end up changing your brand after you read this.

• Corona – Nothing defines the beach more than Corona. It’s south-of-the-border beer that is light in flavor but does not cut corners on its appeal. This Mexican ale is one of the most popular brews around.

• Red Stripe – This is a Jamaican lager that comes ready to drink in a pub bottle. It has a very smooth taste and has a brown tint to it. You can find it anywhere beer is sold. Besides Corona, this is an underdog brew that people drink most, especially in the summer time. It is unlike your typical domestics as it offers something completely different.

• Pabst Blue Ribbon – An American-made beer made popular by cult films, this brew has been on the market for several decades. It has a light body to it and a carbonated appeal. Consumers love it not only for its taste, but for the price. You can actually buy case of it for around $20.

• Miller Lite – Miller has been a household name ever since the 1950s. It is best served cold and has a very light taste to it. If you’re going to be in the hot sun all day, it’s best to choose this brew as you can have a few and still be able to be active.

These are some very popular beach brews. They will make your time spent there more complete. There are literally hundreds of brews to choose from, but these ones are the top sellers. So the next time you’re planning a trip to the shore, be sure and bring along your favorite drink.

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If anywhere in the world that can be stereotyped for its brews, that would be Germany. They are well known for their gigantic Oktoberfest and large varieties of brews. If you are planning a trip to Europe anytime soon, you may want to put Germany on your list of stops.

Germany offers so much to do in the way of drinking. There are many brews from over there in the United States today. Of course most of you had heard of St. Pauly Girl as it is one of the best sellers on the market for imports.

Here is a list of pubs in Germany that offer crawls to its patrons:

• Jimmyz – Located in Wurxburg, it is a friendly Irish style pub that offers patrons what they love most, beer. Many consumers have visited this pub over the years and swear by it. But be careful when doing your next pub crawl. The brews are strong, and the pub itself gets really crowded with locals.
• Zum Tanzenden Einhorn – This is a pub located in Hamburg, Germany. It is a friendly tavern that is right next to the train station so it is really convenient for travelers and safe. They do offer a smoking are for those who want one with their brew. They also have a large selection of brews that you cannot get anywhere else.
• Broschek – This is located in Berlin and is what is known as a café bar. The selections are limited, and it is a very relaxing place for those who don’t want to be caught up in the loud bar scene. They make their own brews there, which make them craft beers. That’s a new concept for such a traditional city.
• Der hängenden Garten von Ehrenfeld – This bar located in Cologne is a great place for a personal getaway. Its atmosphere is friendly, and it is out of the way of the heavy hustle and bustle of large city life. They have D.J.s on the weekends, and the patrons are always up for a good conversation. This should be the last stop on your crawl as it is likely to last all night.

These are some of the places to stop on your pub crawl. Always be sure and take precautions when going into areas you may have never been before and abide by all rules there.

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If you ever had the opportunity to visit Spain you probably took notice of all the fine wines they had to offer. But, did you notice all of the brews that were offered as well? Spain is becoming famous for all of the different brews that are produced there.

Their brews are each individualized for consumers. They are not your run of the mill traditional ales that are offered all over the United States. There are large selections of these all over Spain. Here is a list of some of the most popular ones:

• Damm - This is all locally owned and operated. It serves as sort of a craft brewery as it was purchased from Heineken and moved to Barcelona. It is still going strong today and sells more per volume than any other variety.
• Cerveza Clasica - This is a pilsner brewed in Spain known as a very strong pale ale. This beer stands above the others for its strong content and bitter taste. It goes very well with Spanish fare and takes over the spicy taste of those type of foods.
• Cerveza Negra – This is a darker style ale that is filled with lighter malts. It has been known to be modeled after the German lagers that have dominated bars and restaurants in Spain. People do enjoy this lager for its subtle taste and warm appeal.
• Cerveza Extra - This is yet another strong lager that can only be found in the confines of Spain. The taste is a combination of an Oktoberfest beer and pale brew. With the combination of the two it gives off a strong taste and full appearance.

The alcohol content in any of these is very low as Spain has different standards for their brews. There are not that many breweries in the country because their focus is more on wines. Although they do make lots of brews, the ones that are offered only come out of several breweries.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit this European location be sure and try one of their brews for yourself. They are a bit different than what you may be used to but worth the trial.  You will be surely glad that you did.

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