What tastes better – imported beer or domestic: I tell you how I checked alcohol and the results of my test

Everyone says that, they say, imports are always better in quality than goods on the domestic market. This applies to equipment, and clothes, and products, although I fundamentally disagree with such allegations.

As for beer, there is also a holiday on our Russian street. The domestic product has every right to exist. And I can argue my opinion in great detail!

Technology: similarities and differences

So, an important point: does the production technology of imported and Russian beer differ? The question is certainly interesting. If you do not dive into the topic especially deeply, then:

1. The equipment is the same.
2. The water is purified according to the general rules.
3. Technologies are strictly thought out and observed.
4. Sanitation is top notch.

It’s safe to say that even the process of home brewing and the process at the factory are, in general, very similar.

Sweet wort is made from grain crops, boiled with hops, fermented for several days, and then sent to ripen for some more time.

This is how beer is brewed at home, this is how a mini-brewery brews it, just like Ochakovo or Heineken brews it.

There remains a great and powerful human factor. That’s what he can bring under the monastery. In addition, no one canceled craft and so-called live beer. Here, as they say, they don’t argue about tastes, since the technology, and hence the final product, may differ slightly.

The technology for preparing a “live” drink includes bottling beer along with yeast (for example, manufacturers from Belgium often do this).

This means that maturation continues after bottling, which can take months. Only such a product can be called “live”.

Beer, which quickly disappears only because pathogenic microflora accidentally got into it, has nothing to do with “live”.

My experiments: everything is known in comparison

I love doing experiments. Since childhood. Let’s try to do it together today. The goal is to compare the same brand of beer produced in our country and abroad. Method – “blind” tasting. Here we go?

1. Take such a well-known brand as Krušovice. The Russian “Krushovice” is half the price of the Czech one, but is it tastier? I asked a friend to pour beer of the same brand, but from a different manufacturer, into two identical glasses – so that I would not see where it was. On each glass and on each jar, the corresponding number is affixed with a marker (spoiler: No. 1 – Czech Republic, No. 2 – Russian Federation, but I don’t know about it yet). I’m starting a blind tasting. No. 2 – more carbonated, soft. No. 1 – slightly more bitter in taste, but also soft and pleasant. In general, both drinks are quite worthy, as for my taste. I will say right away that I did not guess the number – I thought that the Czech was in the glass at number 2.
2. Let’s move on to the second part of the experiment. Now he took a dark, promoted brand Guinness (“Guinness”). The task is the same. To taste – both options are also drunk quite decently. But the “Shtirlitsa” (I mean the Russian “Guinness”) gave out foam. In Irish, it is thicker and denser – because of this, the taste does not open immediately, but gradually.

Domestic beer, in principle, is no worse than imported – if you taste the same brand

Which beer is sold more in Russia

According to data for 2019, multinational companies in the Russian market continue to reduce their influence. Compare: in 2007 – 92%, now – about 70%.

Last year, consumers more often chose foamy drinks from medium and small producers. In the regions, the popularity of craft has increased – this trend is observed all over the world.

And yet, according to statistics, in Russia they consume less beer per capita than in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland – and even in the States.

This amounts to just under 50 liters per year. Leading positions are held by SUN InBev and Baltika. Closes the top three – Heineken Brewery.

Test: Imported Beer Tastes

Undoubtedly, the taste and color – there is no comrade. Beer is the same story. But, judging by personal experience, not always expensive imported beer has a pleasant aroma and taste.

Example: Papaya Rye (“Papaya Paradise”, Barcelona, ​​Spain) – quite bright (and even sharp) smells of rye, hops, fruits. Or Viaemilia (“Viaemilia” Parma, Italy) – strongly for an amateur: malt, flowers, honey notes.

Specifically Icelandic Brio (“Brio”), Brooklyn Galaxy (“Galaxy”, IPA) – honey and flowers, tropical fruits.

The average Russian consumer of beer raises some doubts about very strong drinks, and stouts – you can’t count them all. As they say, “why spend more”, especially for a dubious specific taste?

TOP 10 – the best domestic

And yet, can our native (even if made on imported equipment) beer brands be a significant competitor to foreign goods? Based only on my own opinion and taste, I tried to make a rating in the budget price category.

So, the top ten domestic beer brands are for your attention!

1. The first place among the people belongs to Baltika C grade (47 rubles per can).

   The most “popular” beer – Baltika 3

2. Competes with him “Zhigulevskoe”, as the most famous – since the days of the USSR (price – from 81 rubles for 1,5 liters in a plastic “eggplant”).

   “Zhigulevskoe” now does not produce only the lazy

3. Then comes Baltika No. 7 (60 rubles per can).
4. “Baltika No. 9” (48 rubles per can).
5. “Baltika No. 6 porter” (the price is also very democratic: within fifty dollars for a can of 0,5 liters).
6. “Three Bears” (50 rubles), which, by the way, occupies 25% of Heineken software sales in the Russian Federation.
7. “Klinskoye Lager” (78 rubles).
8. “Ochakovskoye” (also a little more expensive – up to 75 rubles).
9. “Zhatetsky goose” (49 rubles).
10. “Shaggy bumblebee” (90-100 rubles per bottle).

Of the non-alcoholic drinks, the absolute leader is Baltika Nulevka for 68 rubles 0,45 in a glass.

In general, we also have something to be proud of, and beer, especially! And what do you think?