subject: Is Beer, Lager, Alt Malt And Stout Good For You? [print this page] Is beer by any other name called lager, ale, malt, or stout? There are just two types of beer: lager and ale.
Lager is brewed from bottom yeast and at a colder temperature than ale about 50- 65 degrees Farenheit or 12 - 18 degrees Celsius. This allows the fermentation process to derive more flavor from the hops and malt. Lagers are usually paler, drier and less alcoholic than ales. This cooler brewing process either requires cool caves or refrigeration which means it's more difficult to make lager at home. Pils beer or Pilsener originated in Bohemia when brewers found that beer over wintered in caves or kept on ice improved. Lagers can be aged for several months resulting in a cleaner crisper taste.
Lager is invariably served cold to enhance the taste. Lager goes with a large variety of foods and, as you probably already know is served by itself as a beverage.
Lagers include Bock, Dunkel, Oktoberfest/Maerzen, Pilsner
Ale is brewed from top yeast and requires warmer temperatures, 65 to 70 degrees and a shorter brewing time. Ale includes a much wider range of beers than lagers from porters and stouts to pale ales and wheat beer. Generally ale is more complex and robust than lagers and have a higher alcohol content. Ales can range from the typical golden color to dark and black beers. Ales are usually aged no more than a few weeks. Most ales are served closer to room temperature. Because ales are more complex in flavor than lagers pairing with food is more of a challenge.
Ales include Bitter, Brown Ale, India Pale Al, Pale Ale, Porte, Stout, Wheat Beer.
The over consumption of alcohol can lead to serious mental and health problems. Responsible drinking is a must. But there are health benefits to drinking moderately. Drinking in moderation means no more than one to two 12 ounce bottles of beer per day. And no, you can't save up your allotment for a big weekend and still expect to reap the health benefits.
Studies have shown that women who drink a glass of beer a day have sharper and clearer minds in their senior years than women who don't drink at all.
Drinking a glass of beer with dinner can help you lose weight.
Men who drink up to two glasses of beer a day and women who drink one beer daily can cut their risk of strokes by 20% and heart and vascular disease by 30% to 40%.
Beer contains a similar amount of antioxidants or polyphenols as red wine. And more than four times as much than white wine.
Beer is fat free and cholesterol free. It has some nutritional value depending on the beer you drink, including vitamins B, B2, and B6.
Some doctors recommend that nursing mothers drink a glass of beer in the evening to increase milk production, replace body fluids and relax.
Alcohol has also been attributed to increasing the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) in the bloodstream, as well as helping to decrease blood clots. Beer has 5% to 7% alcohol content.
