Understanding Light Beer and Dark Beer

Author: kallen

Beer consumption is popular at social events, athletic events and at pubs. Of course, the variety of beer is widespread based upon individual preference. Generally speaking, beer can be categorized as light beer or dark beer. These two kinds of beers are always in demand throughout the year.

In comparing the light versus dark beer, the appearance of each kind is what differentiates the two. Light beer comes in different colors ranging from light amber colored to clear, white color. The appearance of dark beers will also vary from a dark, amber color look to a brown coffee colored appearance.

The next comparison is fluid density. Light beers are usually lower in calories and are easier to drink down since they are less filling as compared to dark beers. It’s more common to see people casually drink dark beer as opposed to downing the drink since it is a denser liquid. Examples of light beer include pilsners, wheat ales and beers. Examples of dark beers include stouts and porters.

In general, light beers have more hops flavor while dark beers are heavier on malts. Malts typically have flavors that are similar to coffee, chocolate and toffee which are not present in the lighter beers. Preference between light and dark beers can also be based on the seasons. For instance, light beer is commonly associated with drinking in the summer while consumption of dark beer is more prevalent during the winter periods. In summary, light and dark beer offer the consumer a difference in taste, which ultimately gives the consumer more variety when choosing their favorite drink.

Brewing Flavored Beer – A Change Once in a While

Author: lukeporterbeer

Everyone who loves beer has their own preferences as to the best brands and the best tastes. Some of the most popular beers in the world are unique-tasting brands which are recognisable to all and have a legion of fans who enjoy them. there are many people who feel however that the readily available brands lack a certain something. The range of different lagers which are popular with millions are considered bland by many, who term them as being almost like water.

When brewing your own beer, you could make a near replica of any one of the bottled or canned brands available in stores. You could, however, go for something a little different. There is such a wide range of different tastes that you can go for. There is practically no limit to what you can do with the right ingredients, in fact. However, it should be remembered that just because you can do something, it does not mean you should. You could, theoretically, make a beer that tastes of just about anything, but some of them will taste horrific. Brewing flavoured beer is as much about restraint as it is imagination.

For example, it is possible to brew beer to taste like chocolate. It is entirely possible to brew very good chocolate beer, but many people make the mistake of looking at the recipe, thinking “that would be great with a little bit more chocolate” and amending the recipe only to find themselves with a frankly sickly brew that tastes more like sour chocolate soup than anything else. You can buy chocolate malt to achieve a result that tastes enough like chocolate and enough like beer to suit all palates.

The importance of restraint in brewing flavored beer is crucial. As there is a lot of fun to be had trying out different flavours, you will be hard pressed to find something that you cannot make into a beer. You could, theoretically, make a beer that tastes like cheese, but it would be horrible. It is also worth remembering that adding a product to the brewing process does not mean that the beer will taste like that item. Sometimes it is worth adding a flavouring that tastes like the intended product rather than adding the product itself.

Whatever you do it is important to recognize that just because you like chocolate and you like beer, it doesn’t mean that you will like chocolate beer. By all means experiment with different flavourings, but try to get the right balance of difference and quality. A fruit-flavored beer is a good place to start, but do not make the mistake of thinking that because the fruit itself is an organic ingredient that it should be added unrefined.

Brewing flavored beers depends on getting the results whatever it takes. It’s not cheating to add extract of fruit to get a fruit flavor When it comes down to it, remember that there is a limit to what you should do, and work happily within that limit.

Does Beer Really Cause a Beer Belly?

Author: T.A. Mccuin

A party is not a party without a frosty cold beer. The unusually pleasurable effects of Beer adds to the life on every party. Beer companies know this by proof of their billions of dollars in revenue every year. However, few of us realize the consequences of beer drinking. There is link between drinking large quantities of beer and developing what is referred to as a beer belly, but it certainly isn’t the only cause of an expanding waistline in men and women.

Scientist have stated that beer drinking is not a direct cause of belly fat. However, beer drinking is an indirect reason for belly fat. Meaning, beer alone will not make you fat unless you drank cases of it regularly which is totally unhealthy. Beer contains no fat, but it’s packed with calories (between 100 -200 per 12oz can). Liquid calories, and Liquid calories make you gain weight faster. Alcohol is a source of empty calories, meaning it has almost no nourishing value.

If you’re trying to lose belly fat drinking more than 4 – 7 drinks of alcohol per day is not good for you. Why?

Beer drinking delays fat loss – Beer is a depressant. Depressants slow down the bodies metabolism resulting in your body burning less calories.

That nice head of foam – on that ice cold beer has a price. That foamy heady carbonation increases your hunger.

There’s estrogen in the beer. – Hops, a main ingredient in beer is one of the most powerfully estrogenic plants on Earth. Estrogen in men causes a direct lowering of testosterone levels.

Beer drinkers exercise less. It’s no surprise that inactivity can add to an expanding waistline.

Many times after a night of drinking you might find yourself visiting your favorite fast food restaurant gorging yourself with burritos, burgers, and fries. As mentioned earlier, drinking alcohol often goes hand-in-hand with eating large quantities of unhealthy foods. Beer drinkers tend to enjoy snacks, chips, and high fat content finger foods. To add to the issue, many bars offer free, unhealthy food to encourage to flow of drinking…beware!

One formula that grantees you will gain weight is if, your consumption of calories exceeds your burning of calories. You will always ends up with extra body fat. A diet rich in fat, carbohydrates, and high caloric processed foods will lead to weight gain in the belly. If you are consuming these foods while drinking, the carbohydrates will be turned into fat much faster because your body is processing the alcohol. Men tend to develop the rounded bulge or beer belly, where as the fat gain on women tends to be distributed between their thighs, butts, arms, and bellies. But a beer, all by itself, won’t significantly affect your weight one way or another.

In a perfect world I recommend that you don’t drink if you’re trying to lose that beer belly. But, this is the real world and people are going to indulge in alcohol. Here’s some tips to help keep your belly-fat-loss-plan on track when you know you’re going to let lose and toss back a couple.

Drink lots of water – Alcohol dehydrates you, (this is the main cause of the dreaded hangover) Drink water and plenty of it before during and after your night of libations.

Eat more Proteins and Less Carbohydrates – Cut back on bad fats and sugar based carbohydrates such as pastas, cakes, and white bread. Fat contains 9 calories per gram while in contrast proteins contain 4 calories per gram.

Develop a Workout plan- In order to reshape your body you must gain more muscle. Muscle burns more calories. Add strength and cardio training to increase your fat burning efforts. Having a few beers can make even the most energetic of us a bit lethargic balance it out with an up-tempo workout plan.

Abdominal Exercises – In order to get wash board abs you need to first trim your belly fat. Crunches alone will not give you six pack abs.

Listen up. The effects from having that extra belly fat around the midsection will surprise you. There are a number of illnesses that are caused or aggravated by beer belly fat. Aside from directly causing a number of health issues, having a beer belly can also increase your likelihood of developing long term health issues. Look, I’m not saying give up beer.. just the beer belly. Belly fat is unhealthy.

A beer belly is the result of the quality and quantity of food eaten during and after beer consumption. Beer bellies don’t happen over night, it’s a long and delicious road. In reality, the beer belly we get often times has less to do with beer and more to do with the high fat accompaniments. For most men and women their beer belly is more a result of lifestyle than a frosty cold one.

Beers with the highest calories per 12oz serving

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot: 330
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: 231
Sierra Nevada Stout: 225
Steel Reserve: 222
Olde English High Gravity 800: 220
Anchor Porter: 209
Samuel Adams Boston Lager: 180
Guinness Extra Stout: 176
Pete’s Wicked Ale: 174
Harpoon IPA: 170
Heineken: 166
Killian’s Irish red: 163
Long Tail: 163
Molson Ice: 160
Busch Natural Ice: 157
This list will never be exact due to brewers changes in recipes. Do not use it for exact dietary calculations but as a guide.