Beer Myths: Fact or Fiction?

Beer Myths

1.     Beer in a bottle tastes different that draft.  FICTION

A beer recipe is the same regardless of whether it is intended for bottles or kegs, there is no difference.  Remember to always drink your beer from a glass. Nearly 80% of our ability to taste comes from our sense of smell.  Also keep in mind that bottle conditioned beers have a small amount of yeast which settles on the bottom of the bottle.  Get the full experience from your bottled beer, pour it aggressively in to a glass so the yeast blends back in and the aroma rises from a nice frothy head.

2.     Draft beer gives you headaches etc…  FICTION sort of

If a bar’s draft lines aren’t cleaned regularly it will alter the flavor of the beer and cause you, the beer drinker, ‘ issues’. Fortunately, in most beer centric bars this is not much of a problem as the lines are maintained regularly.  It is more likely the quantity of drafts you had rather than the quality. Try drinking a glass of water between beers to stay hydrated. You’ll feel better the next day.

3.     Beer that has been re-refrigerated will go bad. FICTION

It is fine to cool your beer more than once. The flavor will not be affected.  Beer is only sensitive to extreme temperature.  Treat your brew as if it is your pet or a small child.  Would you leave it in the car on a 100 degree day? Would leave it in a freezing garage most of the winter?  (Hopefully you answered ‘no’ to both of these)  

4.     All dark beers are heavy and strong.  FICTION

Don’t judge a beer by its shade.  Malt is what gives beer its color. There are no fermentable sugars in dark malt so color doesn’t add calories.  To judge if an unfamiliar beer will be heavy or strong, look at the ABV.  

5.   Color of the beer bottle glass doesn't matter. FICTION

Think of the bottle as sunscreen for your beer. Clear and green bottles allow light to pass through to the beer which can alter the flavor via a process called photochemistry.  When exposed, the hops in your beer undergo a chemical change causing “skunkiness” in the flavor. Brown glass filters out roughly 95% of light thus preventing this from happening.  Many beer makers who package their brew in clear or green bottles add a chemical reagent to stabilize the hops to prevent this reaction. Yuck.

6.     Beer Goggles make others look more attractive.  FACT

Not a myth. You have been warned. Proceed with caution.

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