1. Microbreweries
Microbreweries, represent 7% of beer sales in Quebec. To earn this title, they must produce at least 50,000 hectolitres of beer each year, made only from natural ingredients, without chemicals or preservatives.
2. Cool, Not Cold
Beer cools to 4 °C in the fridge. The recommended serving temperatures are: pale lager and pilsner 7 to 10 °C, red or brown lager, pale ale 10 to 13 °C, brown ale and stout 13 to 16 °C.
3. Smells Like Skunk!
According to beerologist Mario D'Eer, every pale beer in a green or translucent bottle contains hops and develops a skunk taste. The reason? Light degrades the bitter compounds in hops, which then react with traces of sulphur present in beer to produce a new and really smelly molecule.
4. Pour Like A Pro
Tilt the glass and pour two-thirds of the bottle without foam forming. Shake the remaining third of the bottle to create some foam, and finish pouring
5. Bring The Pub Home
Besides being tasty, foam acts as natural insulation to keep beer cool longer. The glass must be clean to obtain a proper head, free of food or soap residue. You can also pass it under cold water before serving.
6. A Simple Recipe
All it takes to make beer is four ingredients: cereal (malted barley is the most commonly used), hops (a climbing plant in the cannabis family with a bitter taste), water and yeast. The rest depends on the brewer's skill.
7. Kitchen Party
You can use it in a marinade, sauce or cheese fondue, even if you don't enjoy the taste. In pancake batter or to fry (something like fish 'n chips), beer gives the food a light and crispy texture, with the pleasant taste of yeast.
8. Beer Bell?
At around 140 calories a can, beer is not fattening. But a night filled with several pints and munchies, such as chicken wings, chips or salted peanuts, quickly boosts the number of calories. Figure on 100 calories for a light beer and 50 to 60 calories for non-alcoholic beer.
9. Beer Cocktail
Try the Monaco, a slightly sweet and refreshing cocktail that is extraordinary. Put some ice cubes in a glass, add 15 ml (1 tbsp.) of grenadine, 45 ml (3 tbsp.) of lemonade and top with 150 ml (2/3 cup) of blonde beer.
10. Brew Fests
Beer lovers across Canada enjoy beer tasting festivals, such as Mondial de la bière in Montreal, Toronto's Festival of Beer and the Calgary International Beerfest.
