When tourists arrive in Great Britain they want to visit a traditional British pub. Their phrase book will tell them to go to the bar and ask for a 'pint of beer, please'. Here is a problem. British beer is not the same as beer in Europe. If you drink Bier, Pils, Cerveza, Pivo or Piva, then our beer will suprise you.
Until recently, it was too cold and wet in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to grow grapes for wine. So the traditional alcoholic drinks were made from fruit and cereal. Cider was made in the south of England from the local apples. In the other parts of the United Kingdom they made 'ale'. Most people call it, 'beer'.
After the second world war, the small ale makers, called 'brewers', became linked into large businesses. The method of making the beer changed but the drink was still different from European beer. British people began to use a German word for the European beers. They called it 'lager', because this is the German word for the way beer is made in Germany.
So, now you know two things about drinkng beer in my country. If you want to drink something which is similar to your beer in your country, you should remember to use the word 'lager'. The second word to remember is 'ale'.
There is a third thing to know and this is very important. You may hear people talk about 'real ale'.
After 1960, the small brewers started to disappear anjjd big companies invented different ways to make our beer and the taste changed. After 1970 it was possible for ordinary people to buy the equipment and ingredients to make beer at home. (You were not allowed to sell your beer.) This was a new 'hobby' and became very popular. Friends would visit each-other to taste their latest experiment. After a few years, some people were so good at this hobby, that they bought a license (goverment permission) to make and sell their ale. Many people converted their garage and they made small quantities. They were called 'micro-breweries' and some still exist. Many have become successful and have now grown into bigger buildings.
Each micro-brewery has its own name and produces a number of ales. Each ale will have its own flavour and colour. It will have its own alcohol content, between 3% and 13%. The brewer may change the recipe each month and produce a different flavour and so he will give this new ale a different name. And because each brewery is a small business, if you travel to a different town you may not find the same ales.
So, in the United Kingdom we have thousands of real-ales made by small breweries. Each brew tastes and looks different and each ale will have an interestimg name. But if you find one which you like, you must enjoy it because it may not be behind the bar next year, or next month!
After the second world war, the small ale makers, called 'brewers', became linked into large businesses. The method of making the beer changed but the drink was still different from European beer. British people began to use a German word for the European beers. They called it 'lager', because this is the German word for the way beer is made in Germany.
So, now you know two things about drinkng beer in my country. If you want to drink something which is similar to your beer in your country, you should remember to use the word 'lager'. The second word to remember is 'ale'.
There is a third thing to know and this is very important. You may hear people talk about 'real ale'.
After 1960, the small brewers started to disappear anjjd big companies invented different ways to make our beer and the taste changed. After 1970 it was possible for ordinary people to buy the equipment and ingredients to make beer at home. (You were not allowed to sell your beer.) This was a new 'hobby' and became very popular. Friends would visit each-other to taste their latest experiment. After a few years, some people were so good at this hobby, that they bought a license (goverment permission) to make and sell their ale. Many people converted their garage and they made small quantities. They were called 'micro-breweries' and some still exist. Many have become successful and have now grown into bigger buildings.
Each micro-brewery has its own name and produces a number of ales. Each ale will have its own flavour and colour. It will have its own alcohol content, between 3% and 13%. The brewer may change the recipe each month and produce a different flavour and so he will give this new ale a different name. And because each brewery is a small business, if you travel to a different town you may not find the same ales.
So, in the United Kingdom we have thousands of real-ales made by small breweries. Each brew tastes and looks different and each ale will have an interestimg name. But if you find one which you like, you must enjoy it because it may not be behind the bar next year, or next month!
