A Word About Beer

Beer Illiterate:

has never touched a beer, or tried it once and hated it.

Casual Drinker:

drinks beer casually or occasionally; some drink a little, some a lot.

Beer Connoisseur:

has expanded his range of intake to include several styles and categories. Having developed a marked taste for beer, beer has gone beyond just a beverage, but is a hobby as well.

Beer, of course, is not for everyone. Most of the people who do drink beer, drink the American lager style: the most common brands are Budweiser, Miller, Michelob, and Coors. Some people's concept of beer is centered around this single style. However, this style is but one of many existing styles.

"Bitter" indeed, is how many beers can be. This "hoppiness" (beer jargon for bitter), must be seen as a "good" bitter, not a "bad" one. Taste for beer, in general, can be described as an "acquired" taste. That is, only by drinking it regularly can one discover the "good" bitterness. The American lager has such a bitterness indeed. However, there are other existing beer styles that would appeal much more to the non-drinker.

It's impossible to deny the fact that most beer that is bought, is bought for its alcohol content. Its casual nature rests in how diluted it is - beer is 5% alcohol, compared to 15% for wine and 40% for liquor. This makes it a suitable casual beverage - such as a Coke or Pepsi - something you drink while watching football on TV, or playing frisbee in the backyard, etc. There happens to be a new type of beer out - "non-alcoholic beer". I think that non-alcoholic wine is out, and yes, it's inevitable - non-alcoholic liquor. =^)

Types of beer:

Booze beer

you can find such low-quality beer sold as 6-packs for less than $2.00 (the average cost being $4.25 - hence their low quality). And at any convenience store you'll find certain beers sold in quart-sized bottles - such as "Schlitz Malt Liquor" or "Colt 45". I myself do not recommend these "malt liquors" - some give you a hangover before you even finish the bottle! =^)

American lager

as described above, this style is probably the most popular. Most of these are made by huge American brewing companies, such as the ones stated above.

Microbreweries

microbreweries are small, independent breweries, located althroughout the United States. They are not related to any of the giant American companies, but were established with the intent of creating a variety of beers, at a high-quality level. Some, in the form of brewpubs, run local establishments where you can walk in and try the beer that they themselves make.

Imports

imports, of course, are beers that have been brought from foreign countries to be sold in our own country.

• Imports found in convenience or grocery stores are usually the most common, most available ones. They are no more than moderate in alcohol content, and are fairly priced. Such imports are often similar in character to what a beer from a microbrewery would be.
• Imports that can only be found in liquor stores are usually among the very best. Though usually more expensive, they are set apart by their elaborate, notable, and distinct character. Beers of such a quality are not to be gulped - but sipped. And are not to be drunk straight out of the bottle - but out of the appropriate beer glass - with just about an 1-inch head of foam on top.

An Important Note: