Beer: articles and news
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BEERS TO TAKE ON A PICNIC
With the start of the good weather, there are many more opportunities to get out into the countryside and enjoy the marvels of nature. The days are longer, the temperatures warmer and the plant life is blooming everywhere, just inviting us to pack a picnic hamper and enjoy a day out.Our lunchtime menus usually follow tradition and common sense: if we are going somewhere where we can light a fire for a barbecue, sardines, chops, sausages and belly pork are the usual ingredients to delight our palates. On the other hand, if we are not going to be able to cook our food outdoors, we will usually take a delicious potato omelette, breaded fillets, roast peppers and different salads to accompany those delicacies.So now let’s turn to the drinks. Apart from soft drinks, sangria and lightly carbonated wine, we could say that beer is the star drink at these outdoor meals. Its moderate alcohol content, pairing versatility and refreshing nature make it the go-to drink for picnics.The question remains then: Is there a best beer for these occasions? As always, the answer to that question depends on our own personal tastes. Nevertheless, there are some recommendations that could be useful when choosing beer for our picnics. Let’s take a quick look at them:Cans rather than bottles > before moving on to discuss the type of beer, we should first look at the container, where tin cans, in our opinion, are the best choice. There are several practical reasons for this: they take up less space and are lighter than glass bottles, they are easier to carry and keep cold. We do recommend serving the beer in a cup though, even if it is a plastic one, rather than drinking straight from the can. That will avoid the metallic taste that we get from the can itself when it comes into contact with our lips, rather than from the beer itself, which thanks to the coating inside cans does not actually come into contact with the metal.Lower alcohol content > because of our physical activity outdoors, the temperature and the moment itself, we are likely to drink more fluids on a picnic than on other occasions. Therefore, choosing lower alcohol content beer, and even alcohol-free beer could be a good idea. If you are going to drive afterwards, you should avoid drinking alcohol, both for your own safety and that of others.Fresher rather than stronger > golden lager, wheat beer or the popular Radler with lemon juice beers are particularly refreshing and are the ideal drink for picnics, rather than more malty, full-bodied beers. IPA style beer with moderate alcohol content with its herbal, fruity nuances of hops also makes an excellent choice.
Beer
TOO FEW PLANS FOR SO MUCH BEER
At Consum we know that nothing goes together better than a good plan and a good beer. And if you like beer, you never turn down an invitation when there’s beer going around. Our choice of brands and types of beer opens up a range of plans to go with each beer, in fact sometimes so many that we could be overwhelmed by the choice. Therefore, through this blog we wanted to make some recommendations for you to find the right one for each occasion.Classical plans with standard lager.A Friday at your single friend’s house, a Sunday snack before lunch or an evening of board games at home with the family. The beer that makes the perfect companion for those plans is almost certainly the classical lager you already have in the fridge. There’s nothing more something to play it safe.Some of our brands: Amstel, Heineken, Mahou, Estrella Damm, San Miguel…If you’re more into chilling, then 0.0 is for you.Because, who says that the couch, a movie and blanket don’t go well with a beer? 0.0 is a good choice to enjoy a beer without missing out on the plot, and without that sleepiness that stays with you all day. What's more, you can enjoy it on weekdays without that guilty feeling, an added bonus!Some of our 0.0 beers: Águila 0,0, Turia 0,0, Ambar Triple 0, Estrella Galicia 0,0…So is it going to be a barbecue day? A roasted malt then!If there is one event that can win everyone over, it has to be those that last all day. Starting early in the morning, lighting a fire for a barbecue or paella, stretching the hours to last well into the night... There is nothing better. And to rise to the occasion, there no better companion than a good roasted malt beer.Our choice: Amstel Oro, Adlerbrau, Turia…For those fancy days, a craft beer.There are days when you wake up and feel like going to see an exhibition, a cheese or other deli tasting session, or getting together with friends for some craftwork sessions. But you also feel like a beer that meets the occasion. For those days, we recommend a craft beer.Choose from a wide variety: La Socarrada, Tyris, Mala Vida, 18/70…And for those crazy days, an IPA.Because there are also moments when we just let ourselves go, do something new and that “what if...” that we’ve always wanted to do. Parachuting, a last minute trip, or who knows, writing to your crush on the spur of the moment. All of them deserve to be rounded off with a good toast. And for that, an IPA is perfect.Among ours, you’ll find: Cerdos Voladores, Hoppy Flower and Mahou IPA.If you’ve already made plans and are looking for the ideal beer, or if you still haven’t decided what to do but you want to have a good time, discover our beers:Amstel,Heineken, Mahou, Estrella Damm, San Miguel…
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PILSEN AND LAGER?
Brewing terminology is gradually carving itself a niche in our society, and almost everyone is now familiar with terms such as IPA, IBU, Ale, Stout, Malt, Hops, Pilsen and Lager.
BEER AND URIC ACID
Having a high level of uric acid is a considerable health risk, and therefore we need to monitor it and keep it under control, particularly if our genetic make-up means we are propense to suffering from this problem.When our body is not capable of eliminating excesses of uric acid, crystals can form which tend to build up in joints, causing severe, incapacitating pain in our knees, ankles and feet, a condition commonly known as gout.When talking about gout and beer we cannot fail to recall emperor Charles V (Ghent, 1500 - Yuste, 1558), who had gout for many years. Despite endless advice by his doctors, he failed to heed them and continued to enjoy lavish banquets where large amounts of game and beer were served, regardless of whether the latter was imported from his native Flanders or brewed at the different breweries that he commissioned during his reign in Spain.The truth of the matter is that, although our body is responsible for producing most of the uric acid we store, diet also contributes significantly to the total. Therefore, if our diet frequently includes red meat, fatty sausages, oily fish, shellfish, vegetables rich in purine and alcohol, we are much more likely to suffer the severe pain associated with this affliction.Despite generally associating alcohol with any illness, and the higher the intake, the higher the risk, in the case of uric acid we need to consider the characteristics of other ingredients contained in alcoholic beverages, which can also influence this problem.In the specific case of beer, in addition to the alcohol content, we also need to consider its main ingredient, namely hops, which are rich in purine, and when they are broken down in our bodies, they are going to form uric acid. Therefore, beer with a medium and high alcohol and hop content can be even worse for this ailment that other drinks with an even higher alcohol content.In short, if we have been diagnosed with hyperuricemia, we should be very careful with our diet, follow our doctor’s orders to the letter, and depending on those instructions, we should reduce our beer intake or eliminate it completely, however hard it may be to do.If our doctor allows us to drink moderate amounts of beer, only those with the lowest amount of alcohol are recommended, ruling out any with high hop content.The German Helles or Weissbier styles do not usually have more than 5% alcohol, and hops usually only play a secondary role in these brews. Some of the rarer beers brewed using gruit instead of hops could be a good choice to be able to carry on enjoying beer. Cheers!
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BEER AND DIABETES: ARE THEY COMPATIBLE?
Brewers are increasingly offering alternatives that allow people who were previously advised against drinking beer, to be able to enjoy it. Alcohol-free beers obviously cover a wide range of situations for those people, but other varieties, such as gluten-free beer and even beer made from plants other than hops, such as gruit, increase the possibilities for people with coeliac disease, and people who suffer from gout.Although unrelated to health, but more a case of personal choice, we can even find beer suitable for vegans, which is specifically stated by the certified stamp on the label. Some of the clarifying agents used in the brewing process are made from ingredients of animal origin, and although they are eventually separated out of the end product, vegans cannot drink these beers.On the subject of diabetes that we are dealing with today, diabetics were traditionally advised to avoid or at least limit their beer consumption. This is due to several reasons, one of which is that the alcohol contained in beer can affect several processes in our bodies, which in the long-term can directly or indirectly lead to complications in diabetes.People who take medication to treat their diabetes can run further risks, as the alcohol can interact with the treatment and reduce its effectiveness.Drinking alcohol though also entails an intake of calories meaning we can put on more weight, which is not recommended for the general population, and even less so for diabetics.Finally, we need to point out that some of the symptoms of drunkenness after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can be confused with the symptoms of hypoglycaemia, thereby leading to a possible mix-up and making immediate response treatment much more difficult.Therefore, due to the above reasons, and others, an obvious recommendation for diabetics would be to drink alcohol-free beer or low-alcohol beer, since they substantially reduce the intake of alcohol and calories per unit consumed. Drinking in moderation with meals, and following the guidelines for a healthy diet suitable for that ailment will further reduce possible risks.Therefore, there is no definite incompatibility applicable to all cases regarding the drinking of beer and diabetes, but everyone needs to take their own specific situation into account. Consulting your doctor and strictly following medical instructions when deciding whether or not to drink beer is absolutely fundamental for diabetics.Cheers!
Beer
ALCOHOL-FREE BEER: IS THERE A DOWNSIDE TO IT?
Alcohol-free beer has become more popular among beer drinkers in recent years, not only because of its lower percentage in alcohol, but also because of its organoleptic properties, making it much more pleasant on the palate.The appearance of roasted malt alcohol-free beer in the market has undoubtedly boosted their popularity due to its flavour, with the notes of roasted cereal malt, taking these beers much closer to the stronger lagers available today.In addition to the benefits of not containing alcohol and a better flavour of these beers, we also need to consider the lower calories in our diet, precisely because of the negligible alcohol content. Different studies even point out the positive aspects of its antioxidant properties, and the contribution of fibre in our diets.As always, there are people who are suspicious of, or cautious about these beverages. Is alcohol-free beer really that healthy? Can we drink as much alcohol-free beer as we want? Is there a downside to drinking alcohol-free beer?The quick answer to all those questions would be that drinking alcohol-free beer is good, or at least it is not bad for us, but there are caveats. As with all foods, we need to bear in mind our own personal situation, since something that is good for most people may not necessarily be good for us.For example, even the tiny amount of alcohol in alcohol-free beer can be detrimental for someone with a severe liver complaint such as cirrhosis, particularly if they drink a lot of it. Something else to bear in mind would be for diabetics who go over the top drinking alcohol-free beer. Despite it being low on the Glycemic Index (GI), a large amount of this beverage can lead to a build-up of sugars - something which diabetics need to take into account.Alcohol-free beer can also be contraindicated for people with gout. The hops in beer, the ingredient responsible for its bitterness and some of the flavour, contain purine, which enhances uric acid production and can make gout worse.In spite of those exceptions, that do need to be taken into account, we are able to claim that drinking alcohol-free beer is not contraindicated for most of the population as far as our health is concerned.As always, even in the case of alcohol-free beer, our advice is to enjoy beer in moderation in accordance with your personal circumstances and ensuring it is compatible with the guidelines for a healthy lifestyle. Cheers!
Beer
Beef cheeks in red wine sauce: the perfect Christmas recipe
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Beer
The best Christmas beers
Discover our choice of winter beers with unique flavours. Ideal for cold days and perfect for Christmas celebrations.
Beer
Packs of beer to give this St. Valentine’s
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Beer
Tequila Beer: The perfect drink for this Christmas
Discover the name of the popular tequila beer, how to make it and everything else about the famous cocktail known as “Submarine”. Learn how to enjoy it safely.
Beer
Sour beer: the acidic brewing style that wins over palates
Find out about sour beer, an acidic style craft beer. Discover its characteristics, varieties and how to best enjoy it.
Beer
Roasted malt beer with or without alcohol
Enjoy roasted malt beer, a full-bodied drink with a touch of caramel, ideal for lovers of beer with personality.
Beer
Viernes de ceverza, peli & sándwich
Te damos las claves para maridar estas cervezas con unos sándwiches y las películas o series que van con ellas. ¿Estás de acuerdo con nuestra selección. ¡Te contamos más!
Beer
Beer and cheese: an ideal pairing
Discover the perfect pairing of beer and cheese. Find out which beer to drink with different cheeses – discover the perfect combinations!
Beer
TOP 5 Valencian craft beers
Discover the best 5 Valencian craft beers. Immerse yourself in the unique flavours of the Region of Valencia with our recommendations for local beers.
Beer
Honey beer: a unique, natural flavour
Discover honey beer: a perfect blend of sweetness and maltiness. Enjoy the smooth taste and natural aroma. Ideal for special occasions.
