Do you know your lagers from your ales? There are literally hundreds of different beers around the world and the SAB stable houses fine examples of the five main styles:

Lager

A lager is fermented with a yeast that works at cool temperatures and then subjected to cold maturation.

They also take longer to ferment than ales, resulting in a cleaner, dryer (or less sweet) and more rounded beer.

The lager has a less complex flavour, less fruit aroma and often a characteristic grassy nose. It is more difficult to produce a good lager than most other styles as any off-flavours would be more easily discernable than in a more complex beer.

Pilsners

Back in the late 19th century all beers were dark or cloudy, but then a new brewery in Pilsen (now Czech Republic) produced the first beer that was gold and clear - this lighter lager was called a Pilsner.

Porters and Stouts

Porters and stouts are very dark (almost black), with a toasted or roasted taste. Some of the malt used is roasted during the kilning process to impart the dark colour and characteristic flavour.

Stouts are usually flavourful, with plenty of hop character.

Ales

The term ale refers only to the method of fermentation which occurs at a comparatively warm temperature and has nothing to do with the raw materials used.

The maturation period is relatively short and the resultant ale has a fairly complex flavour and a fruity aroma and palate.

Ice Beer

Ice beer is brewed in a process more complex than conventional brewing methods, designed to refine and deliver an exceptionally smooth tasting beer.

It’s all about the ingredients SAB uses only water, yeast, hops, malted barley and maize.

BUT IS IT NUTRITIOUS?

You’re kidding, right?! Beer is rich in B group vitamins, in particular B2, B6, B9 and B12, which provide protection against cardiovascular disease.

It’s also a source of soluble fibre and the highest source of dietary silicon. No, not that kind! A 500ml glass of beer contains an average of 10% of the RDA of soluble fibre, along with additional benefits of slowing down the digestion and absorption of food and reducing cholesterol levels.

It’s rich in magnesium and may help to protect drinkers against the formation of gall stones and kidney stones.

And bonus, all these minerals and vitamins are ‘bio-available’, which means that the goodness all enters the bloodstream.

Enjoy responsibly. Not for sale to persons under 18.

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