Draft beer – “brought” draft beer

In short, draft beer is draft beer from a barrel or keg, not a bottle or can. The beer tap, as we are used to seeing it in bars, was patented in 1785, before that beer was always poured directly from the barrel and carried to the visitor. He was called that – “brought.” The Old English word dragan (to carry, to drag) underwent a series of modifications, turning sequentially into drag, draw and, finally, draft. By the time beer pumps finally came into use, the term had established itself and is now firmly associated with draft beer. The word draft in the classical transcription is pronounced like “drot”, but in North America the pronunciation of “draft” is accepted, so it stuck in the Russian language.

History

The first mention of a device similar to a beer tap is found in an English periodical in 1691. In 1785, a modern variation of the tap appeared, at the beginning of the 1936th century, draft beer began to be stored in high-pressure containers, and in XNUMX artificial carbonization (carbonation saturation) appeared in England, which is still used today. The method consists in the fact that when the beer is fed into the keg, carbon dioxide is additionally pumped in so that it creates pressure and pushes the beer through the hose to the tap.

In 1971, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) began in the UK, aiming to revive the original traditions of brewing. Adherents of CAMRA believe that pressure changes the taste of the drink. Therefore, in their opinion, a real draft beer can only be from a barrel, kegs are not suitable.

Crane system device

It is clear that draft beer is served almost exclusively in bars, pubs and restaurants – you have to be a truly fanatical beer drinker to install a tap system in your home.

The keg is placed under the bar and connected to the faucet with a hose. Beer is fed into the faucet under pressure, saturated with carbon dioxide along the way. The system is reliably hidden from sunlight, so the taste, aroma and other characteristics of the drink are preserved better than in a bottle.

However, it is very important that the bar keeps the system perfectly clean, otherwise mold can grow in it. Not only will the drink be hopelessly spoiled, it will also become unsafe for health.

Another subtle point is carbonization. Breweries usually provide their draft with recommendations for carbon saturation at serving, but the bar is not required to follow them (sometimes the bar does not have the necessary specifications), and the slightest change in this parameter also leads to a change in the flavor profile.

Difference between keg and draft beer

By the classic definition, draft beer can be either draft beer or keg beer. Still, each storage method has its own characteristics.

Keg beer is most often filtered and / or pasteurized. The barrels have a tap and a plug, and the keg has a hole to which the hose is attached. An increased pressure is artificially created in the keg; beer is stored in the barrel under natural conditions.

The first kegs appeared in the 1960s and gradually began to replace traditional barrels – such containers are much more convenient, ergonomic and practical. In England, barrel beer is still relevant only thanks to CAMRA.

Features of storing draft beer

Draft beer is stored in a cellar at + 12 ° C. After opening the barrel, the beer should be drunk within a maximum of 3 days. Keg beer is additionally cooled before serving to a temperature of + 3-8 ° C, stored in the basement, but opened, placed under the bar.

Can bottled beer be drafted?

Canned draft is beer in cans with a widget – a nitrogen capsule. The most famous representative is Guinness.

However, this contradicts the very idea of ​​a draft – draft beer from a barrel or keg. But in advertising, the term is often used to describe ordinary commercial samples in glass or tin containers – a marketing ploy designed to give the impression that the product has a traditional taste and is no different from “live” beer.

Benefits of draft beer

1. In a keg or barrel, beer is reliably protected from the influence of sunlight and oxygen, it remains fresh and tasty longer.
2. Draft beer is good for the environment: metal kegs, unlike glass bottles and cans, are not scattered around the bushes.
3. Draft is drunk from beer glasses, therefore, the taste of a can is not mixed with the bouquet of the drink, and the taster can better make out the unique aroma of the variety.
4. Draft beer is often also craft beer, while stores usually sell regular lager.

When is the best time to drink bottled or canned beer?

By default, draft is preferred over bottled counterparts. However, in some cases the opposite is true.

For example:

1. Draft beer seems stale or spoiled. Perhaps the faucet system needs to be repaired – or it has not been washed properly for a long time.
2. We are talking about an unpopular and sparsely populated bar – most likely, an open keg stagnates for more than three days, the beer becomes stale.
3. The client likes beer of a particular variety/brand, which is presented only in containers.