Alcohol comes in many shapes and forms, and the variety is growing rapidly. Liquor and beer are the two categories that alcoholic beverages generally fall into. They are both extremely different, but maybe not as different as you’ve always believed.
Everything Beer
1. What It Is
Beer is an alcoholic, carbonated drink that is highly popular all around the world. It has been around for centuries and has since become somewhat of an art form. The basics of beer stay the same, but the amazing amount of varieties that have come about is absolutely mind boggling.
2. How It’s Made
The process that is used to make beer is referred to as brewing. It begins with mixing a starch source with hot mater. This is known as “mashing”. This mixture is then combined with malts in a mash tun. This process, known as the “mashing process” takes between 1 and 2 hours. During this time the starches are converted into sugars. The mixture is then drained through the malts (grains). The more times that a brew is drained, the weaker it becomes. The remaining liquid, known as “wort”, is then put into a copper vessel and boiled. This is when the hops are added in order to cut down the sweetness and add flavor. After the boiling process the yeast is added. After the yeast has been added the brew is left to ferment for weeks to months. The remaining product is beer.
3. Ingredients
There are some basic ingredients of beer, however in many beers additional ingredients are added to boost flavors and aromas. These ingredients are a starch source, hops, water, yeast, and a clarifying agents.
4. Alcohol Content
Beers can have a varying amount of alcohol. They typically range between 4 to 6 percent but can have as much as 12%. A good rule of thumb is that the darker the beer, the more alcohol it contains.
5. Fun Facts
Ancient Babylonians where the first to brew beer.
Storing beer sideways causes oxidation to occur.
The pilgrims stopped at Plymouth Rock because they ran out of beer.
Beer exposed to light will go bad much quicker.
George Washington had his very own brewhouse.
Hops used in beer are in the same family as the marijuana plant.
Beer wasn’t considered an alcoholic beverage in Russia until 2013.
Liquor Is Quicker
1. Basics
Liquor is an alcoholic beverage made from the distillation of alcoholic fermentation. There is a very wide variety of different types of liquors, all of which are highly different. Vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila are just a couple of the more popular type of liquor that are commonly conusmed.
2. How It’s Made
Liquor is made through a process known as distillation. This is when a process of extreme heating and then cooling repeatedly of a liquid. This allows for the separation of key components. This is done with alcohols such as beer, in order to create a more pure alcohol. It removes any impurities in the liquid. Flavorings are and organic materials are added in order to achieve certain types of alcohol.
3. Types And Alcohol Content
There are many different types of liquors that are available, and each have a unique taste and alcohol content. Here are some of the most popular.
Vodka: vodka is made from water and ethanol and the starch used is usually potatoes. It is the official drink of Russia as well as Poland. It contains 40% alcohol by volume.
Tequila: Tequila is a liquor made from the blue agave plant. It is most commonly made in the city of Tequila, Mexico. It has a alcohol content of 38%.
Rum:Rum is made from sugarcane and is a clear liquor. Majority of the world’s rum is made in the Caribbean. It has an alcohol content of 40 %.
4. Fun Facts
The margarita was invented in 1941.
Vodka comes from the Slavic word voda which means little water.
Poland was the first country to make vodka.
During prohibition whiskey could be prescribed by doctors and bought in pharmacies.
Some of the earliest thermometers contained brandy instead of mercury.
Difference Between Beer and Liquor
1. Process
Liquor is made by the distillation of already existing alcohol. This is modified by the types of starches and other ingredients used to make the alcohol. Beer, however, is made by the actual fermentation of alcohol rather than just the purification of it.
2. Variety
While there is a large variety of both beers and liquors, liquor takes the cake. The vast difference in smell, taste, and potency of liquor gives it a much wider variety of choices than beer.
3. Alcohol Content
The amount of alcohol in beer and liquor is also very different. In order for liquor to be considered a “distilled spirit” it has to contain at least 20 percent alcohol. Beer, however, can contain as little as 3 percent alcohol by volume.