Beer from A to Z: the encyclopaedia for an in-depth knowledge of beer types

There are many types of beer on the market. The Factory is a clear example: locally brewed beers that change over time, adapt to you and the city… Not to mention our extensive beer list with the entire range of Cruzcampo beers and even imported beers. All these beer styles can be overwhelming, especially if we are not clear about some basic concepts of #beer_culture. But don’t be afraid, we present you with a Beer Encyclopedia with very important concepts and clear and simple explanations. Ready to get into hops, ferments and malts? Come on!

• What are beer hops?
• Why are hops used in brewing?
• What types of hops are used in brewing?
• What is malt?
• What is brewer’s yeast?
• How do you use brewer’s yeast?
• What is an IPA beer?
• What is an APA beer?
• What is a Lager beer?
• What is dry hopping?
• What is a Session beer?
• How do you make butterbeer?
• The origin of blue labeled beer
• What are the differences between non-alcoholic beer and 0,0 beer?
• What type of beer is Low Alcohol?

What are beer hops?

Hops are a climbing plant, also known as Humulus lupulus, which grows only once a year and can reach 9 meters in height. The funny thing is that this plant, like many others, produces two types of flowers: male and female. To make beer we only use the female flowers of the hops which are green and conical in shape. Amazing, isn’t it?

Why Are Hops Used in Brewing?

The hop flower is used in the production of beer because it has alpha acids that are responsible for bringing bitterness to the beer. In addition, it contains essential oils that are responsible for the aromas and flavors ranging from herbaceous to fruity. Hops have bacteriostatic effects, it does not let other organisms grow that could ruin our beer. Thanks to this property, it began to be used in brewing during the Middle Ages.

Today, at La Fábrica Cruzcampo, we know that hops are used for many other reasons. The natural bitterness of beer hops allows us to balance the sweetness of the malts. It also helps us to make the beer’s head or foam more stable and, why not say it, it also helps stimulate the appetite. Drinking a beer without a tapa is a crime at La Fábrica!.

What Types of Hops Are Used in Brewing?

There are many ways of classifying the types of hops used in brewing. We mainly find a classification by origin and another by function. According to their origin, the main types of hops are Noble (Germany and Czech Republic), American (USA) and English (yes, from England). Depending on their function, we find bitter hops, aromatic hops and mixed hops. So, we could say that the hops are to the beer what the garlic to the gazpacho, it is used in small quantity but it gives that special point.

What is malt?

Malt is a germinated cereal grain that is dried by the process we call “malting”. The cereal is germinated by moistening it with water and then this natural process of germinating is stopped by means of hot air.

Thanks to malt or malted cereals we can develop alpha and beta enzymes inside. This way the natural starch of the cereal is converted into different types of sugars such as monosaccharide glucose, disaccharide maltose, trisaccharide maltotriose and maldotextrin. But the most important thing about the process is that some of the enzymes that are produced in the malting help to break down proteins into forms that the yeasts can process later. No joke with the malt! Even the smallest detail influences the brewing process.

What is brewer’s yeast?

Brewer’s yeast is a single-celled microorganism classified as a fungus. It is responsible for the fermentation of sugar into alcohol. The two main yeasts in beer production are Saccharomyces cerevisiae, used in ale and with fermentation at the top, and Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, used in lager and with fermentation at the bottom.

How do you use brewer’s yeast?

Yeast is used in the production of all beer styles because of its ability to transform sugars in cereals into alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2) through the metabolic process known as fermentation. In addition to generating alcohol, yeast is responsible for obtaining the character and taste of your favourite beer.

What Is An IPA Beer?

Indian Pale Ale or IPA is a type of beer belonging to the Pale Ale family in which hops are the protagonist. Despite its name, this beer is British and, in addition to its characteristic hoppy flavour, it hides a history that makes it very special.

Its origins date back to the early eighteenth century during the English colonization of the East Indies. With the arrival of British citizens to the new Asian colonies, so did their customs and, of course, their beer. Or she tried it initially, because due to the lack of means and infrastructure, the beer had to be imported from London to India, being forced to make a 300-day boat trip to reach its destination. But that’s not all! Because none of the popular English beers of the time were able to survive the crossing. Due to the high temperatures and the blows that the barrels received during the journey, to the disappointment of the English, they all arrived sour and moldy. Motivated by their desire to defeat the sea, the British brewmasters got down to work and began to devise new ways to increase the conservation time of their works, since then there were no modern refrigeration and pasteurization techniques that we know today. And it was George Hodgson who found the key to achieving this feat by increasing the alcohol content and the amount of hops in the Pale Ale, creating a new variety of beer capable of being preserved for longer and finishing the trip in perfect condition: the IPA, which began to be sent to India in 1790. And that’s how one of the most consumed beers was born today, beating the odds to reach its destination.

What Is An APA Beer?

American Pale Ale or APA is a type of beer belonging to the Pale Ale family and American cradle. It is a light variety of beer, modern and rich in hops, but at a lower level than IPA.

He was born in the United States around 1980, although it is not known exactly who invented the first APA. The most widespread theory attributes its creation to the Anchor Brewing Company with its 6% Ale called Anchor Liberty Ale. This brewery variety, predecessor to the APA, began to be made as a tribute to the Midnight Ride, a historical event that occurred in April 1775 when Paul Revere, a goldsmith from the English colony of North America, alerted the American colonial militia to the approach of the British forces and the outbreak of the American War of Independence. Behind this first APA was Fritz Maytag, owner of Anchor, who after returning from a visit to London touring breweries set out to develop the American version of English robust Pale Ale. For this he dispensed with the sugar in the malt and increased the hop content, but not of any hops but of the Cascade variety developed at the University of Oregon to compete with the German noble hops. This American hops brought a new and powerful citrus flavor to this type of beer that distinguished it from other beers of the time, making it a resounding success and becoming one of the fixed references of the brewery as early as 1983.​ Although this was not the case, because other American companies added to the popularity of this new beer and even overtook its creators in its marketing in large quantities, as is the case of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, which was the first beer company capable of introducing large batches of APA to the American market in 1980.

What is a Lager beer?

Lager is a type of soft beer with a slight malty flavor, hops notes, a subtle final bitterness and a golden hue.

Its name comes from the German lagern which means to store and is due to the long process of thermal conditioning at low temperatures that this beer follows during its preparation and that dates back to the 19th century, when Bavarian brewers used their basements, caves and cellars as a resting place for their homemade beers during their maturation process. But why does the Lager need low temperatures to be able to ferment? Responsible for this requirement is the yeast Saccharomyces pastorianus, the protagonist of alcoholic fermentation in this family of beers. This yeast is characterized by fermenting at the bottom of the tank, allowing a simpler filtration of the beer, and by needing to be at very low temperatures to activate, forcing the beers to be stored at low temperatures until their fermentation is finished. Of course, the effort and the wait are worth it since the result is a clean and refreshing beer with a balanced taste. And not just any beer, but the most popular beer family in the world.

In addition, within the Lager family there are four main varieties also widespread around the world: the pale Lager, with low alcohol content and low calorie content, the Pilsen, with more hop and malt flavour, the amber Lager, with a characteristic toasted malt flavour, and the dark Lager and bock, a dark almost black beer, with a strong and sweet flavour.

What is dry hopping?

Dry hopping is the process by which hops are added, usually a second time, to a beer to enhance its hop aroma. Generally, the dry hopping technique is used for types of beer such as Pale Ale or IPA, but today it is used for many other types. Its main benefit is that, as the hops are not boiled, the oils are not extracted and therefore do not add bitterness. Thanks to dry hopping only aroma and taste are added.

Studies show that almost 75% of the taste comes from our sense of smell, which is why this extra aroma is so important in the brewing of all types of beer.

What is an Session beer?

Session beers aren’t really a type of beer. When we talk about Session we refer to a characteristic, an adjective that describes beers that have a low alcohol content (usually between 4 and 5%) and are very refreshing.

They are also beers that do not tend to be “very” anything. They are not very bitter, nor very hoppy or malty. But that doesn’t mean they don’t taste good! Rather they are beers that hit the perfect balance. All this indefiniteness means that, as we say in Spain, each master (brewer) has his book and will give you their own definition of what a Session beer is. Because, as we have already said, it is not a clear style of beer like IPA.

But what almost everyone will agree on is that with the Sessions you will be able to take a few and remain lucid… Which we cannot say about their sisters with higher alcohol concentration.

How do you make butterbeer?

Butterbeer is neither fantasy nor magic. This drink, which became world famous with the Harry Potter saga, is as real as any other type of beer in La Fábrica’s menu. But how do you do it? Charms? Are there any elfs at La Fabrica?

Much simpler. The origin of this beer, according to scholars, goes far back in time. There are data from 1594 available. This type of medieval beer had in its recipe 3 pints of beer, 5 egg yolks that were cooked in a tin pot. Add ¼ kg of sugar and a teaspoon of ground nutmeg, another of ground clove and a pinch of ground ginger. Just before it broke to boil, it was removed from the heat and sweet butter was added.

It is a beer that we undoubtedly do not recommend for minors because there is no magic that eliminates alcohol from this brew. As much as it boils! But you can find non-alcoholic recipes that replace beer with a carbonated drink with hints of vanilla.

The origin of blue labeled beer

Non-alcoholic beer is gaining popularity among new generations looking for healthier options to enjoy the refreshing taste of beer. Originally, the blue label was used as a badge, because it conveyed calm, and it has remained so to this day.

On a global scale, non-alcoholic beer had its origin in the American dry law, when the creation of the “near bear”, with a minimum alcohol content, offered an alternative to beer fans without breaking the law.

On a national scale, non-alcoholic beer did not see the light in Spain until the 1970s and had a welcome scale among the skeptical population, who did not consider it an authentic beer. Fortunately, its consumption was increasing and today we can say that 14% of the beer consumed in our country is non-alcoholic.

According to other theories, the origin of non-alcoholic beer dates back to the Egyptians, who evaporated alcohol from beer for ritual purposes.

As you can see, non-alcoholic beer has been part of human history for centuries and has been adapting and evolving over time as a refreshing and accessible alternative.

What are the differences between non-alcoholic beer and 0,0 beer?

Tt is important to emphasize that these two types of beer are made with the same raw materials as conventional beer.

In Spain, beer is considered non-alcoholic when its content is less than 1%, so it is not completely devoid of alcohol. Likewise, although 0.0 beer is considered to have zero alcohol content, it actually has a maximum amount of 0.04%. Should it exceed this percentage, it would be considered a non-alcoholic beer.

Apart from the amount of alcohol, the main difference lies in the fact that during the fermentation process of 0,0 beer the alcohol is extracted, but other aromatic components are enhanced, in order to achieve the maximum similarity in terms of taste with respect to non-alcoholic beer.

In addition, 0,0 beer has more water than a non-alcoholic beer. This ingredient is the one that is mixed with yeast, barley starch, hops and malt.

Another difference is in the calories of each type of beer. While non-alcoholic beer has about 25 calories per 100 ml, 0,0 beer provides between 12 and 23 calories per 100 ml to our body. Now that you know the main differences between the two beers with the lowest alcohol content, which one do you stick with?

What type of beer is Low Alcohol?

The term “Low Alcohol” refers to a type of beer that has a lower alcohol content than traditional beers. These have gained popularity in recent decades, driven by a growing interest in lighter, healthier options. The development of this type of low-alcohol beer has benefited from advances in fermentation technology, which allows reducing the alcohol content without compromising the taste.

A perfect example of this trend is Cruzcampo Tremenda, a beer that has recently been added to the Cruzcampo catalogue as an option for those looking for an intense flavour with a light touch. This beer, with a bright blonde colour and a creamy white foam, invites you to enjoy a refreshing experience that surprises you with its balance between body and freshness. It maintains a fruity aroma that combines notes of peach and banana, along with light spicy hints. In addition, this type of beer is brewed using an exclusive yeast, which, combined with a unique malt mashing and filtering process, results in a brilliant, high-quality final product with a lot of character and body, ensuring this beer does not go unnoticed.

It’s perfect for those moments when you crave lots of fun and playfulness but want to keep it alcohol-free. The Cruzcampo Tremenda is ideal for improvising a quick snack without getting too complicated, having a few beers to relax when you have plans the next day or enjoying moments that linger without compromising the next day. This beer pairs perfectly with cold snacks, salads, fish and white meats, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. In summary, if you’re looking for a beer that combines an intense flavour with its low alcoholic content so you can enjoy your evening without worrying about tomorrow morning, the Cruzcampo Tremenda is your best ally. It’s tremendous!

Tags: La Fábrica del Soho, tipos de cerv, tipos de cerveza