Winning Homebrew

Best Oktoberfest Beer
Best Mexican Beers
Why Do People Like Beer?

Posted: 19 Aug 2021 10:12 AM PDT

Although Munich's Oktoberfest is most commonly associated with its beer fest, it's actually a historical celebration that heralds a strategic marriage that strengthened Bavaria. These days, Germans and non-Germans alike celebrate that iconic day by drinking several pints of beer.

Although you might not be able to get to Germany for Oktoberfest, there are still plenty of ways that you can celebrate it at home. Make some German food, put on your favorite Oom-pah band, and grab one of these palate-pleasing beers.

Rich and Layered Sierra Nevada's "Oktoberfest"

Sierra Nevada is often credited as one of the top American breweries, and its reputation is well deserved. Sierra Nevada's "Oktoberfest" is a thing of beauty, a hoppy, floral, delicious riff on the style.

This beer style’s authentic flavor is thanks to a hearty dose of German hops. The resulting brew is a crisp, delicious seasonal lager full of bold hops and warm malty flavors.

Better still, at six percent alcohol, Oktoberfest is an exceptionally drinkable beer that will ring in any celebration accordingly. Sierra Nevada's got you covered with their Oktoberfest Haus Party if you don't have your own Oktoberfest to go to.

Aromatic and Hazy Jack's Abby's "Copper Legend Oktoberfest"

Jack's Abby's "Copper Legend Oktoberfest" is a hazy take on a classic German beer. Their version of Oktoberfest is slightly brighter and breadier than the traditional style, and its gorgeous golden amber color makes it look like a celebration in a glass.

One of the ways that Jack's Abby makes their Oktoberfest so authentic is the German noble hops infused into its brew. Some critics say that the carbonation in this beer simply isn't up to par, but we find it perfectly balanced.

This Oktoberfest is a perfectly suitable beer for people who swear that they don't like the style. One sip and they're sure to be saying "Ein Prosit"!

Herbal and Fresh Surly Brewing Company's "Oktoberfest"

When you think about Oktoberfest, you might not think about fresh, bright herbs, but that's precisely what you'll get with Surly Brewing Company's "Oktoberfest." They have taken a familiar style and made it all their own.

Surly Brewing Company knows better than to mess with the basics, incorporating traditional Vienna malt into their brew. After that, though, all bets are off.

This Oktoberfest contains a hearty dose of rye, which gives it a layered, interesting flavor that's almost tough to place. Additionally, the brewers use Sterling hops for an herbal flair that makes the blend all the more interesting.

The result is a deep, floral aroma and a slightly spicy and sweet taste. It might not be a traditional Oktoberfest, but it's certainly one to celebrate with this festive season.

Subtly Sweet Sam Adams' "Oktoberfest"

Go to just about any bar or restaurant during autumn, and you're bound to run across Boston beer company Sam Adams' "Oktoberfest." This beer is a best-seller for a reason; it's one of the best beers on the planet.

Sam Adams brews its signature Oktoberfest with high-quality German hops and just the right amount of malt for a balanced brew that's easily drinkable. Although this Oktoberfest tends to be a little sweeter, it's never overpowering.

Expect delicious vanilla and caramel notes laced with the hearty taste of classic malt and barley. Some people even think that this Oktoberfest has a salted toffee flavor on the back end.

One of the best aspects of this beer is that it isn't too heavy. As a result, you can make the smooth transition from Sam Adams' Summer Ale to Oktoberfest without even skipping a beat.

Spicy and Addictive Great Lakes Brewing's "Oktoberfest"

Great Lakes Brewing's "Oktoberfest" is a spicier version of the beer we're used to, and we love it. So if you want to get the closest thing possible to fall in a glass, you need to check out this beer.

It starts with a malty undertone. This malt is layered and full of deep autumn flavors and just a touch of bitterness, offset by the addition of Noble hops for a bright kick.

The body of Great Lakes Brewing's beer is dark copper, with a healthy foamy head. Expect aromatics right away, specifically the caramel and spice, then dig in.

This beer is just warm and inviting, with heavy tones of toast from the grain and just the right amount of bitterness. It's a superb take on Oktoberfest and one you should certainly try.

Low-Key Half Acre's "Lager Town"

Although this is one of the only beers on our list not to have "Oktoberfest" in the name, Half Acre's "Lager Town" is a fine example of the style anyway. It's an excellent example of how you don't have to show off when you know your product rocks!

One of the best things about this beer is that it's not just available around Oktoberfest. Since Oktoberfest beers are considered specialty items, we only get to enjoy them for a short time.

On the other hand, you can revel in the glorious taste of Lager Town whenever you'd like! As with traditional Oktoberfests, this one is a beautiful deep golden color with an intoxicating aroma that smells just like hops, yeast, and of course, caramel.

It's got just the right amount of spice and a beautiful toffee undertone that keeps it from getting too bitter. This brew certainly stands up to the best Oktoberfest official beer both in taste and style despite the name.

Bold Brooklyn Brewery's "Oktoberfest"

Brooklyn Brewery is known for embracing bold flavors, and their "Oktoberfest" is an excellent example of when to push the envelope and when staying with tradition is a better bet.

Brooklyn Brewery starts with German malt and hops, building their beer on a framework of German tradition. It's a deep, rich base that's delicious all on its own but not too heavy to pair with some of fall's favorite dishes.

Brooklyn Brewery's Oktoberfest combines all of the classic flavors of the style, but they do it with the expertise you wouldn't expect outside of Munich. As a result, this beer is a true treasure, from the copper ale to the faint notes of malt and toffee.

Malty, Marvelous Hi-Wire's "Zirkusfest"

As its zany name suggests, Hi-Wire's "Zirkusfest" is an imaginative and bold beer. It gives the nod to traditional German Oktoberfests while still going its own way.

One of the most exciting things about this beer is that it's not afraid to shy away from bitterness. While many Oktoberfests try to mask the bitterness in their beers, Zirkusfest embraces it and even doubles down.

They start with a traditional Oktoberfest, big on maltiness and rich toffee flavors. The finish is what's impressive, though; bitter hops that hit your palate on the back end of your swallow.

Zirkusfest plays with the duality of malt and hops expertly, creating a delicious surprise at the end.

Austrian-Style Schilling Beer Company's "Konstantin"

While most Oktoberfests go full-on German in their brewing methods, Schilling Beer Company's "Konstantin" takes a bit of a different tack, celebrating the Austrian way of brewing beer. The result is a fun new riff on an old classic.

The Austrian style is a little less sweet than its German counterpart. Expect less honey and toffee and a more traditional malty flavor.

This beer is good news for people who shy away from Oktoberfests because they're too cloying on the palate. Instead, reach for a Konstantin, and you'll get all of that bold and beautiful Oktoberfest flavor with only a touch of sugar.

Konstantin finishes a little hoppier than most Oktoberfests and tends to wind up on the drier side. Many people like this because they feel like its clean finish freshens up the palate for the next beer.

Even if you're not doing a beer tasting, Konstantin is a fabulous drink and one that breaks the mold ever so slightly while still paying homage to the style.

Mighty Brew Avery Brewing Company's "The Kaiser"

Avery Brewing Company's "The Kaiser" is a robust beer and a superb example of precisely what a Marzen should be. This balanced lager is boozy with caramel and floral notes, making it a great candidate to celebrate with.

As an Imperial Lager, it's a lot deeper than many beers on this list. Although The Kaiser can certainly stand alone, it pairs well with comfort food dishes and an Oktoberfest buffet.

Instead of using a single malt, The Kaiser features two; Munich and Vienna styles. This combination gives it a rich interplay and lets you taste minor notes in the different malts.

Similarly, Avery Brewing Company incorporates Bravo and Hellarau hops into the blend to add a spicy, floral finish that's just heavy enough to be noticeable. It's never overpowering, though, a massive credit to the master craft brewers at Avery Brewing Company.

This big, beautiful beer would fit into any Oktoberfest celebration, and it makes the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life. So grab one for yourself and celebrate in style with the best Oktoberfest beer.

The post Best Oktoberfest Beer appeared first on Winning Homebrew.

Best Mexican Beers

Posted: 19 Aug 2021 10:07 AM PDT

Most of us think of hot tropical beaches, margaritas, tacos, and mariachis when we think of Mexico, and that's not incorrect. Wherever you go in Mexico, you're bound to encounter hot temperatures and cold beverages.

Mexicans have a unique beer culture that is all about refreshing yourself and enjoying the good life. Who can disagree with that? We're here to explore the best Mexican beer brands for you to try and enjoy.

Due to an intensely hot year-round climate, most Mexican beers are lagers or Austrian-style pilsners as these are the lightest, most refreshing beers to enjoy on a hot day. Mexicans also love dousing everything they eat or drink with limes, chili powders, and salsas, all of which go better with a lighter beer with more subtle flavors that won't clash with citrus or spice.

If you want to drink a beer in the classic Mexican style, we recommend you try a Michelada. This is a beer of your choice poured over a glass with a mixture of lime juice, clamato salsa, salsa magi, chili powder or tajin, and ice. There's no beer drink more refreshing and bursting with flavor than the Michelada!

20 Best Mexican Beers

We've compiled a list of the best Mexican beers on the market today. Most of them are mass-produced and regularly exported worldwide. However, Mexico has a growing artisanal microbrewing movement with beers that stray far from the typical Mexican-style lager or pilsner.

No matter which beer you try, you’ll surely enjoy the refreshing taste of Mexico. So bust out the chips and guacamole and head out to the backyard, barbeque, or beach for this list. Salud!

Corona Extra

Corona might be a more famous beer outside of Mexico than within it. Corona instantly makes us think of a lazy beach afternoon, seated under shady palm trees, watching the turquoise Caribbean waters with an ice-cold beer in hand.

Maybe that's just masterful marketing, but it aptly represents Corona's deliciously refreshing lager. You'll get a lightly sweet corn flavor, medium body, and high carbonation. Corona tastes even better with a dash of fresh lime squeezed in.

Dos Equis

Dos Equis is another Mexican staple at U.S. grocery stores, bars, and liquor stores. It comes in lagers or their amber brew. The lager is the more widely drunk beer from Dos Equis. It is malty, velvety, carbonated goodness with a hint of bread and corn.

Like most Mexican beers, adding a slice of lime and salt really awakens the subtle flavors of the Dos Equis lager.

Victoria

Victoria is one of the most popular and ubiquitous beers in Mexico. It is an Austrian Pilsner style lager, amber in color with a sweet, malty, bready flavor that has a funky aftertaste.

Unlike Corona and Dos Equis, you'll get more depth of flavor with this lager with a bite of floral hops.

El Secreto 1881 Malta Dorada

This microbrewery out of Mexico City glorifies their amber lager by deeming it a malta dorada or "golden malt." It's a premium American style lager. Golden and clear in color, subtly sweet with light malt flavor and a medium body. It's a delicious lager and refreshing in its simplicity.

Indio

Less known in the states but a popular Mexican staple, Indio is a Vienna-style lager with dark caramel coloring and a harsh, bitter bite from the hops used to brew it. The aroma of caramel and malt is deceiving as it is not nearly as sweet as it smells. Still, it is light-bodied and goes down nice and smooth.

Pacifico

Brewed and bottled in the Pacific coastal town of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Pacifico is a deliciously refreshing pilsner-style beer. It is pale yellow with a balanced flavor encompassing sweet malt, herbal hop bitterness, and crisp dryness.

It's effortless to drink two or three of these at a time if they're ice-cold. It's hard to find a more refreshing beer than Pacifico.

Falling Piano Coahuila 99

Falling Piano is a microbrewery in Mexico City that offers new and distinct beers for Mexicans to try that fall outside of the standard lager or pilsner styles with which they are familiar.

Coahuila 99 is a deep red ale with a very sweet malty flavor and a toasty aftertaste. We applaud Falling Piano brewers for thinking outside of the box and showing the rest of the world that Mexicans can master any beer style.

Negra Modelo

Known as the "cream of beers" in Mexico, this luxurious dark beer is a cut above the rest. A deep caramel color, Negra Modelo has a very creamy body with a clean finish, a caramel nutty aroma, and a floral hoppiness that isn't too overpowering.

Tecate

Tecate is the classic cookout or house party beer. It's a cheap lager you can buy in bulk, and it fits the bill of a light-bodied refreshing lager that goes down as easily as water.

You'll get a grainy soda cracker aroma and taste with a mild dose of hops. It's crisp and inoffensive, and while it's not the most adventurous beer, most people will drink it with pleasure.

Sol

Sol is a longstanding Mexican lager, first brewed in 1899. Brewers named it for the sun to represent its bright color and taste. Sol is the tamest lager on our list with very little aroma or actual flavor to speak of, but nice medium body and carbonation.

Motor Cerveceria Condesa Porter

This one is for the coffee lovers out there. The porter by Chihuahua-based microbrewery Motor Cerveceria tastes like a delicious cold-brewed coffee as much as a drinkable beer.

This porter displays a complex array of aromas and flavors; a toasty maltiness gives way to a strong coffee flavor with notes of chocolate and almonds. Yum!

Leon

Leon is a dark lager with sweet, dark malt, and dark fruit tastes with a hint of bitterness from the hops to balance it all out. The Coca-Cola color might weird you out, but the flavor and drinkability more than make up for it.

Minerva-Morenos Homies

This Jalisco-based microbrewery packs some serious flavor into this West Coast IPA, marketing it as the perfect tropical vocational beer. They use two different hops with lemon drop and citrus to infuse an intense acidic citrus and white grape aroma.

Noche Buena

This seasonal winter Bock is a delightfully sweet craft beer that even smells like Christmas. An aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate, and caramel cedes to a caramel, malt, and butterscotch flavor with a sweet finish.

It's as winter as a Mexican beer can get!

Montejo

Montejo is a pilsner with a bit more to offer than your standard Mexican lager. It is a deep golden amber color with a sweet corn, malt, and apple aroma. The taste has a sweet corn flavor but with citrusy and bready notes. You can taste hops, but there is bitterness.

Montejo is light-bodied with a dry finish. It's a very drinkable classic beer that might become your go-to if you can find it at your local store.

Nucali Dystopia

Another West Coast IPA from Baja California, Nucali Dystopia is quite hoppy with a citrusy, fruity, and piney aroma and flavor. It's definitely for avid beer drinkers who aren't afraid of a little bitterness, but the dry, crisp finish is undeniably refreshing.

Estrella

Estrella is a cheap lager that's a great addition to a beach day cooler. Akin to Tecate or Corona, this light-bodied, super carbonated beer has a corn, cereal, and grassy smell. You'll get a bit more citrus in the flavor accompanied by the corn and yeasty lager taste. All-in-all a solid and affordable Mexican lager best served ice cold.

Modelo Especial

Modelo Especial is Negra Modelo's sister brew. It's a light beer that offers all the typical Mexican lager characteristics, including a light-yellow, almost clear seltzer water appearance and a corn and grassy smell and flavor.

This beer has no real malt or hops flavor to speak of. It is a reasonably neutral beer in that it isn't too flavorful, but it isn't offensive either. It is a refreshing, highly carbonated beer that is light-bodied and tastes great with Mexican food.

Carta Blanca

Carta Blanca is a surprisingly different Mexican lager that adds many unexpected German flavors to the mix. It is a deep amber color with a caramel malt and toasted pretzel smell. The sweet yeasty pretzel taste really shines through in the taste as well, along with a strong malt flavor and a bitter aftertaste.

Like malt liquor, this beer is sudsy, but it has a clean, light, and dry finish. This beer tastes great with a squeeze of citrus.

Bohemia

We've saved the best for last. Bohemia is our favorite Mexican beer. It is the perfect pilsner, with a well-balanced taste of lemony citrus, crisp floral hops, and a subtly sweet maltiness. It has a medium body, moderate carbonation and is one of the only beers that doesn't have to be ice-cold to enjoy.

It's our favorite beer to enjoy alongside a plate of authentic Mexican food. Provecho!

The post Best Mexican Beers appeared first on Winning Homebrew.

Why Do People Like Beer?

Posted: 19 Aug 2021 09:56 AM PDT

Beer can be a divisive drink. When people love it, they’re all in. But when they hate it, nothing in the world can convince them to take a sip. Yet, tea lovers might relish a cup of coffee, and wine connoisseurs will enjoy a refreshing cold beer.

If liking both is possible, why do some people hate it? Why do people like beer?

So, pull up a barstool and relax with a cold one while we explore how beer earned its popularity.

Bitter Rejection Response

Your taste buds have five types of taste receptors: sweet, sour, salty, savory, bitter. (No, we haven't forgotten umami, but the relative newness makes it an anomaly.) Back in the wilder days of human evolution, bitter flavors were a warning that something was poisonous. If bitter signaled toxicity, how did we come to appreciate beer?

The bitter rejection response isn't a perfect system. Your tongue will detect the same bitterness from a highly lethal plant as it would from a sip of normal beer.

As civilization developed, we adapted. For example, we’ve learned to appreciate the tastes surrounding bitter food, like the subtle sweetness of dark chocolate, the richness of a dark roast, and the heavy roasted dark beer flavor. People don’t like the bitterness; they appreciate the combination of tastes.

So, let's hop past the science behind taste and name the top reasons beer lovers like beer.

Flavor

Now it might seem strange that people genuinely like the flavor of beer, especially after reading about the bitter rejection response, but it's true.

There are two types of people who enjoy the taste of beer:

People who love it from the first taste.
People who learn to appreciate the taste over time.

Some people become beer lovers after drinking a single beer, but they are a rarity. While some drinkers want to limit their hops, others prefer hoppy beer styles. No two people are alike. Gene variations can change our taste receptors, giving some a liking for sweet foods and others a taste preference for more decadence.

The people who learn to love beer are usually less about the bitterness in beer and more about the other flavors. Whether you enjoy a light beer or a dark beer, the flavor profiles are unique.

If your first beer is dark, it might put you off the alcoholic beverage. On the other hand, if you prefer the malty flavor of darker beers but have only tried light beer, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. It can take a bit of trial and error before you discover your best match.

Wine enthusiasts can say the same. Much like red versus white, for beer, it’s light versus dark. There are a few crossovers here and there, but the two types are polar opposites for most. Then, there are further intricacies within the two types. Finding the beer you like sometimes requires a few flutes.

Food Pairings

Why are salted peanuts a popular bar snack? It's because salty and sweet tastes counteract bitter tastes, letting you experience more flavor in both the food and the beer.

BBQ wings with beer? Yam fries with beer? If your mouth is already watering, you know exactly how clever pairings make beer and bar food the ultimate duo. Studies have also discovered that beer helps stimulate digestion. As a result, your stomach can more easily break down tasty and greasy bar food.

There's no shortage of research that states drinking makes you eat more, but it also makes food taste so much better. In addition, the biological reactions tied to pairing certain types of alcohol and food consumption impact the reward response for eating more. Meaning, you’re not hungrier because of the beer; you’re just enjoying it more.

Social Drinking

Beer has a long history as a social drink. From overpriced stadium beer to backyard barbecues, it's the beverage of choice. But how did it happen?

Beer has been a part of social drinking and celebrating for centuries. While the most remembered beer-themed event might be Oktoberfest, imbibing has been a cherished tradition far longer than modern festivals or sporting events. Beer brewing can be traced back 10,000 years to a Göbekli Tepe site in southeastern Turkey, where beer and feasting went hand-in-hand.

The average alcohol percentage in beer is much lower than other beverages, including wine or spirits. Therefore, you can enjoy more of it without feeling adverse effects, making it more ideal for casual social gatherings.

Imagine a football fan holding a glass of chardonnay marked with face paint and wearing a foam finger. Beer is part of sports fan culture, whether fans are cheering from the stands or watching a screen.

Bars and pubs regularly host events, furthering the association of community and social activity. For example, your neighborhood coffee shop might host book clubs and rows of writers on laptops; pubs host festive gatherings.

Feeling Good

A recent study from researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago found that feelings play an enormous part in what we enjoy. It might seem obvious, but the research contrasts with the idea that DNA determines our tastes.

The university study found that fans of beer enjoy the way they feel when drinking beer. They drink beer for the buzz, not the taste.

Not every beer drinker will feel the same, as some people are energized by alcohol while others are relaxed. However, beer is generally associated with relaxing.

Researchers from the Public Health Wales National Health System Trust and King’s College London analyzed the Global Drug Survey data. They found a correlation between mood and alcohol preference. In addition, beer was the first choice for relaxing with friends and other positive situations.

Creativity Boost

In 2017, the University of Graz in Austria linked beer consumption and a boost in creativity. It’s not the first study to correlate imagination and alcohol. While there is no indication drinking a six-pack by yourself will let you paint the next Sistine Chapel, your ideas will flow more freely.

The takeaway from the research is that mild intoxication leads to divergent thinking, meaning you can look at something ordinary and think up an extraordinary use for it. However, don't schedule an elite mathematical marathon or sign up for logic puzzles after a few rounds of beer.

Now, if you've booked an escape room, that's another story. Sometimes creative thinking opens you up to new possibilities, making it easier to spot a few more clues. Also, research supports the idea that drinking beer improves your score for word games. But drink responsibly, as too much alcohol impairs productivity.

Craft Is Trending

The big beer brands, and many mid-sized brands, are owned by two companies: Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors. By 2012, the two gigantic corporations controlled 90% of the market.

You would expect that with such a tiny percentage leftover, it would stifle competition. Competition can inspire creativity, experimentation, reinvention. Without it, the beer market is stale.

Enter stage right: the craft beer industry.

Despite being in that limited 10%, breweries are booming. The number of breweries grew by 120% between 2008 and 2016. Microbreweries and independent craft beer are revitalizing the industry. While their share of the market remains small, the success of craft beer is growing every year. Surprisingly, in 2020 operational craft breweries reached an all-time high, with over 8,764 in the US.

Beer is loved worldwide. Endorsing more variety and the opportunity to support small businesses has allowed craft beer to trend.

Refreshing

Picture yourself in the afternoon of a hot summer day sitting on a patio with a chilled beer. Nice, right? There's a reason you see ads of beaches and beer. It's the top pick for refreshing summer beverages (aside from boring water).

You might remember we mentioned that beer has lower alcohol content in comparison to most alcoholic beverages. So while beer isn’t as hydrating as lemonade or fruit-infused water, it won’t dry you out like other alcohol.

So if it isn't hydrating, why does beer taste so refreshing? The answer: carbonation.

When you guzzle a beer, the resulting chemical reaction in your mouth transforms your beer's carbon dioxide bubbles into carbonic acid. The biting sensation of drinking fizzy beer comes from carbonic acid, and it's this tricky sensation that helps you feel refreshed.

Colder temperatures produce more bite in your beer. So, chilled, fizzy beer is scientifically proven to quench your thirst better than a flat, room temperature beer. While it likely comes as no surprise, you’ll enjoy a cold beer more than a warm one.

Conclusion

So, why do people like beer? The reasons people like beer might not be the same from person to person, but imbibers can all agree there’s a lot to like. For some, it’s more about the friendly company than personal preference, while others are picky about their brews.

Why do you like beer? Is it one of the reasons above? Or are you baffled why anyone could consume bitter hops?

Whether you're planning a nanobrewery or popping a bottle cap off for the big game, enjoying in peace or with a crowd, there's a lot to enjoy.

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Thursday, August 19, 2021