You may have heard this mantra repeated by fellow beer lovers in some way, shape, or form: Beer is Food.
When you really think about it, it is. The domestication of plants led to humans shifting from the hunter-gather lifestyle to a less nomadic way of life; reason being, there was a more abundant and stable supply of food. This trend occurred alongside the domestication of animals, evolving into what would be considered an agrarian lifestyle.
Now, what does all that have to do with beer? Everything!
Beer comes from our beloved grains, primarily barley, the cultivation of which dates back to roughly 8500 BCE. After fermentation was used to create alcoholic beverages, and the malting process became more refined, various kilning levels could achieve a wider range of flavors out of the barley – from bready to caramel to chocolate to roasted coffee notes. That’s one of several reasons why beer pairs so well with most any kind of food you can imagine.
So, sticking with the mantra, remember: Beer is Food! When you shop for food at the market, you’re looking for freshness, right? That’s why we’re proud to have “living beer” in our lineup. Living beer is naturally carbonated, with yeast still in the bottle, which helps preserve the freshness of the beer as it matures. Thus, the beer is kept “alive,” since yeast is a living organism. This traditional method of bottling contributes to the complex character of the yeast and creates the bountiful carbonation, both staples of Belgian brewing.
See the video below for more information on living beer from Global Beer founder Johnny Fincioen.
