Canadians love their beer. In 2014, they consumed over 22 million hectoliters of beer, 84% of which was Canadian. It’s also worth a mention that 56% of beer-drinking Canadians prefer lagers and 34% prefer ales. Here are some other facts that distinguish the brewing industry in Canada.
High-Quality Barley Is Canadian Breweries’ Competitive Edge.
Barley is an important ingredient in beer-making. Fortunately for Canadian brewers, barley is one of Canada’s most important grain crops.
Since 1948, the “Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute” has supported the development and evaluation of new malting barley varieties. The country has, as a result, maintained a leadership role in barley research and production over the years.
Breweries in other countries appreciate Canadian barley’s level of quality and availability. Consequently, Canada-based breweries have been able to obtain licensing agreements with leading U.S. and offshore breweries to manufacture the foreign companies’ brands in the country.
Canada Is a Country of a Few Brewing Giants and Hundreds of Microbrewers.
In 2014, 520 licensed breweries were operating in the country. Interestingly, over half of these breweries operate in Ontario and Québec.
Two of all the breweries, Labatt Breweries of Canada and Molson Breweries, target the whole country. Then there are six regional breweries located in different territories and hundreds of microbreweries targeting local markets.
The Canadian Brewery Industry Is Highly Innovative.
The Canadian brewing industry is vibrant and advanced. Significant developments from Canada have included new yeast strains that are more alcohol-tolerant and others that produce low-calorie beer. New products have included seasonal beers, low-carbohydrate beers, and low-alcohol beer.
Canadian companies also pioneered the brilliant brewing techniques of continuous malting and continuous brewing. There also have been trials on new package formats and efforts to enhance the preservation properties of plastic to match those of glass bottles. Other notable contributions are the innovations around temperature-sensitive thermochromatic ink and high-tech insulator to help monitor beer temperatures.
The Canadian Brewing Industry Is a Pioneer Advocate for Responsible Consumption of Alcohol.
Canadian breweries were among the first brewers to address the issue of responsible drinking. The companies initiated and continued to fund programs that fight misuse.
The Canadian Beer Industry Holds an Impressive Environmental Record.
Canadian brewers have over the years utilized environmental-friendly policies in their brewing plant operations and control of packaging. Amazingly, an average 99% of Canadian beer bottles are returned. Other breweries such as Steam Whistle Brewing Company have very elaborate green initiatives.
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The earliest alcoholic drink in history is a 9,000 years old Neolithic grog brewed in China’s Yellow River Valley. However, barley beer seems to have been born in the Middle East. The Sumerians in Mesopotamia were the earliest brewers. The evidence that support this assumption includes a 4,000-year-old hymn to the Sumerian beer goddess and a 3100-3000 BC beer recipe on a clay tablet.
Beer brewing also flourished in ancient Egypt. According to Smithsonian magazine, Egyptian pyramid builders were partly paid with beer. Interestingly, according to The Atlantic, the beer in Ancient Egypt was brewed by women.
Monks and nuns also played a great role in the evolution of beer. The practice of monastic brewing appears to have started in medieval times. Some monks began brewing and selling beer to live according to The Rule of Saint Benedict. The rule requires monks and nuns to live by their sweat and not accept charity.
Still, during the Medieval Times, water was usually contaminated. The beer was safer to drink than water. Monks were encouraged to brew and drink beer rather than drink germs-carrying water.
We can also trace the development of modern breweries to monks. Archeologists found the oldest drawings of a modern brewery in the Swiss monastery of Saint Gall. The drawings date back to AD 820. They show three breweries each producing beer for different groups of people. There was a brewery for monks, monastery guests, and pilgrims and the poor.
In 1200 AD, beer brewing monks discovered that adding hops can give beer its distinctive bitter edge. Hops are today referred to as “the spice of beer”.
In 1685, France’s La Trappe monastery set the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. Beers that are brewed per the order are called Trappist beers.
In the 17th Century, The Paulaner monks of Bavaria started producing a Lent beer called Doppelbock. The “liquid bread” was excellent for fasting monks.
Monks and artisans continued experimenting with beer, and this led to modern beer flavors. The first beer bottle in history was sold in 1850. Today, beer is wildly popular. There are thousands of breweries across the world and numerous beer flavors and brands.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Ever peeked through a brewery’s window expecting to see guys tasting and enjoying freshly brewed beer? Many who steal a glance see many shiny tanks, hoses, and gizmos that leave them wondering what goes on in a brewery. So how is a typical day in a brewery?
An ordinary day in a brewery depends on the kind of alcoholic beverage being brewed, a brewery’s capacity and tricks of the trade. Nevertheless, the brewing process is similar for most breweries. Here are seven steps that make up the brewing process:
1. Milling
Beer making starts with the milling of brewing grains. The different types of malted barley are measured depending on the recipe. They are mixed and crushed into a coarse grist, neither too coarse nor too fine.
2. Mashing
Mashing looks like porridge making. It involves the mixing of milled grain with water and methodically heating this mixture. Mashing allows the breaking down of starch in the grains and eventual conversion into sugars. These malt sugars feed the yeast when it’s fermentation time.
3. Lautering
Lautering is a process of separating the mash (the thick porridge) into a clear sugary liquid called wort and spent grain. The separation is done using either a lauter tun or a mash filter. Usually, the sweet wort is run off first. The remaining substance is recirculated before sparging. During sparging, the extract that remains with the residual grains is rinsed off with hot water.
4. Boiling
The sweet wort is boiled evenly and intensely to ensure its sterility. The boil may last between 50 and 120 minutes. During the boil, brewers add bittering and aromatic hops that give beer its bitterness, flavor and aroma.
At the end of the boil, brewers set the wort into a whirlpool. Whirlpooling helps to collect accumulated dense solids mainly hop matter and coagulated proteins. Soon after filtration, the wort is cooled to prevent oxidation.
5. Fermentation
The chilled wort is pumped into tanks for fermentation. Brewer’s yeast turns the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The kind of yeasts used and the fermentation temperature will determine whether the final product is an ale or a lager beer.
6. Filtration and Conditioning
We now have the beer! After fermentation, the beer is chilled and allowed to settle. Filtration and period of settlement depend on beer style. Filtering is meant to stabilize the beer’s flavor, but not all beers go through filtering.
7. Packaging
From the conditioning tanks, the finished beer goes into bottles, cans, and kegs. The beer is now ready to leave the brewery. Secondary fermentation may continue to offer natural carbonation. You can now enjoy a pint in a pub near you!
To learn more about how your favorite beer is brewed, please visit Edmonton’s International Beerfest. Many brewers and beer enthusiasts will be in attendance. You will learn about new beer technologies and taste new beer flavors. The Edmonton’s International Beerfest- beer and total entertainment.
Photo Credit: FreeImages.com/ fliku
Beer is one of the world most loved beverage. It is an alcoholic beverage produced by saccharification of starch and fermentation of the resulting sugars. The sacchrification enzymes and starch are derived from malted materials that include malted wheat and barley. Other ingredients used to brew beer include water, starch source, flavoring agents, yeast for fermentation, and sometimes a clarifying agent.
There are different flavors agents used by the breweries to come with a unique flavor for their clients. For a brewery to come up with a new flavor they are influenced some factors. The factors include:
Need of originality
There are very many beer brewing companies that produce beer that has a similar flavor. A beer brewing company may try to break the monotony and create their own unique flavor. This helps a company to create its own customer base. This is because most beer customers like trying out new flavored beers.
The needs of the clients
A beer company may create a new flavor for beer to cater for their customer needs. Most customers like the adventure of trying new flavors of beers rather than the common flavors.
To develop new variety of beers
We all know that there are different types of beers all over the world. If a beer brewing company wants to make another variety of beer, the company must come up with a new flavor.
A beer brewing company may come up with a new flavor through a number of ways. For a company to come up with a new flavor it takes one common flavor and manipulate it by adding a new ingredient. For example, a company can pick malt flavor and add coconut flavor to come with a new relishing flavor. Other beer flavors include crisp, hop, roast, smoke, fruit & spice, and tart & funky flavors.
If you would like to know more about your beer, new flavors, and new technologies that are being used to make beer please visit Edmonton’s International Beerfest.
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There are some things we just know. Russia is famous for Vodka; it’s their “thing.” France is likewise famous for its wine, and more specifically for its champagne, but what about beer? If you had to list the top five beer making nations on the planet, what would such a list look like? Below, you’ll find our picks. Our selection was made not just on the sheer amount produced, although clearly that plays a role, but also on the nation’s brewing history.
5.Canada
Canada makes the cut for both its long tradition of brewing, plus some star studded brands. Labatt, Sleeman, Moosehead and Molson are all staples of the beer drinking world, which secures Canada a spot on the list. More than that though, there is the depth of commitment to microbrewing that you see in Canada today. That really makes them a remarkable entrant, because not all nations do that as thoroughly and completely as Canada has.
4.The United States
No list would be complete without the United States. In the US, beer makes up 85% of all the alcohol consumed. Additionally, the US is home to more than 1400 breweries that run the full gamut from micro to mega, and it’s such a vast nation that distinctive regional flavors have not only cropped up, but have flourished and thrived.
3.Belgium
Belgium’s entry in the top five is secured by the existence of Stella Artois alone, when of the most widely distributed beers in the world. With fifteen different brands being distributed, Belgium takes top honors where macro-breweries are concerned, and that alone secures them a high place on the list. But it’s the small artisanal breweries and the Belgians’ wholehearted dedication to drinking beer that make this tiny country a standout in the beer world.
2.Germany
The home of Oktoberfest, Germany is well known the world over for their masterful brews. Germany and beer are nearly synonymous. It’s a huge part of German culture. “Lift you stein and drink you beer” might be the national slogan of Germany. The German contribution to the world of beer is undoubtedly the lager style.
1.England
There are many reasons why England gets top billing. England has a long, proud brewing tradition, and produces some of the finest beers ever made. The English famously love to drink, but what is often not realized is that along with the unfortunate culture of binge drinking, goes a dedication to the finer points of the enjoyment of gourmet real ales.
Germany may one day knock England from its throne, but it would take quite a lot. Also consider that Scotland (part of Great Britain) by itself comes in at number six, just missing the list, and that Canada is part of the Commonwealth, receiving much of its beer tradition from the mother country. England’s position of dominance is all but assured.
To decide for yourself which country makes the best beer, come and sample a mind blowing range of offerings at the 2015 Edmonton International Beer Festival.
Everybody has their go-to favorites when it comes to beer, but if you’re in the mood for a little something different, then here are ten brews made with unusual ingredients that will have everyone around you raising a curious eyebrow when you place your order.
Oyster Stout
Brought to you by 21st Amendment Brewery, this beer is crafted with, you guessed it, oyster shells. Specifically, Hog Island Sweetwater oyster shells. According to the brewery, it gives their stout a “silky, salty finish.” If you love all things oyster, you won’t want to miss this one.
Green Chile
For beer with a bite, try some Green Chile Pale Ale, by the Santa Fe Brewing Company. Drink up, and pass the nachos.
Cannabis
Germany is leading the charge here. In 1996 the country changed its drug laws to allow the use of “EU-Hemp” in their product, provided that the commercial goal does not lead to the mis-use as a narcotic. Thus was the beer known as Cannabia born.
Mustard Seeds
A Belgian beer that’s best served a little on the warm side for maximum mustard seed impact. The warm taste of mustard goes beautifully with the hops – this beer is great with crusty bread and strong Canadian cheddar at lunchtime.
Vanilla Bean
Old Dominion’s Oak Barrel Stout is infused with a pound of vanilla beans in each barrel to give it its rich taste and sweetness. Vanilla is the most popular flavor in the work (yes, more popular than chocolate). This beer has a one of a kind, very subtle flavor you won’t want to miss.
Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout
Don’t think we’re repeating ourselves here, this brew, brought to you by the Wynkoop Brewing company is actually brewed with bull testicles. Yes, you read that correctly. Bull testicles. So, anyone for a beer?
Bacon Maple Ale
Brewed with bacon and maple syrup, this strange concoction is brought to you by Rogue Ales, and is delicious, because as everyone knows, everything is better with bacon. Might work as a breakfast time hair of the dog; or perhaps not!
Pizza Beer
Mamma Mia Brewing Company may be onto something. Pizza and beer go together anyway, so why not combine them into one thing. Have your beer and pizza too! Best of all, since it’s brewed with basil, oregano, tomato, garlic and actual pizza crust, it really does taste a lot like pizza! I suspect this is not much of a grown up taste.
Sitka Spruce Tips
For a taste of the great outdoors, give this Winter Ale by the Alaska Brewing Company a try. The company hand picks Sitka spruce tips to give their product a rich, unforgettable flavor. I can’t help thinking that this was inspired by resin in the Greek retsina wine.
Coffee Beer
Wild Heaven is an Imperial Brown that is dense and malty, with a terrific balancing coffee flavor. A great blending of two classic tastes that will have you reaching for seconds, thirds, fourths and more.
Intrigued? You’ll find some of the most fascinating beer flavors in the world at the 2015 Edmonton International Beer Festival; not to be missed.
