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Real ale tradition

Posted by Barry on 2010-10-25 02:06:44

I think we know about top and bottom fermentation. The point is why did these so differeing traditions develop? With the little knowledge that I possess, I have come to the conclusion that the answer lies largely in the climatatic difference between Western Europe and Central Europe, given that the efficient fermentation of grain relies to a large extent on temperature. In Britain, the temperate climate is conducive to all-year round brewing using top fermentation, which seems to be by far the easiest and most cost-effective method. So, what do you do when it becomes to hot or cold to brew, as in Central European summers and winters? The answer seems to be that you brew in the spring and autumn and store the resulting product for drinking in the rest of the year. This is quite easy when you have access to nice cold caves, such as in Franken, etc., but a bit more problematic when you don't. In Eschawo, it is still a problem to brew in summer, as Gunter Zimmermann told me, because their process is only semi-industrialised. Up in Neuhaus, they have access to nice cold caves (try to get to see the Schafferhof caves, but watch your head!). Thus, the development of refrigeration allowed the development of industrial processes for mass production - i.e. bulk lagering. I assume that this was one of the causes of the contraction in German brewing. Having read the potted histories of the old Bamberg breweries on this website (most interesting, thank you), I find it hard to imagine that CO2 dispense was a major factor fifty or so years ago. The talk is of storing barrels in cellars during the summer and tapping a barrel each day - sounds much like the U at Mahrs. The beer engine, definitely a product of the industrial revolution, was invented in 1797, according to Michael Jackson. I remember quite a few pubs that served direct from the cask, even into the 1980s and 90s.

Real ale tradition by Nick B. on 2010-10-25 02:48:36

Real ale tradition by Barry on 2010-10-25 09:09:53

Real ale tradition by A Harvey on 2010-10-25 11:43:41

Real ale tradition by Barry on 2010-10-26 04:43:36

Real ale tradition by Mark Andersen on 2010-10-26 06:16:36

Real ale tradition by Nick B. on 2010-10-26 06:34:29

Real ale tradition by Barry on 2010-10-26 12:21:16

Real ale tradition by Mark Andersen on 2010-10-26 13:58:48

Real ale tradition by Uncle Jimbo on 2010-10-26 15:38:58

Real ale tradition by Nick B. on 2010-10-26 23:12:13

Real ale tradition by Barry on 2010-10-27 03:01:33

Real ale tradition by Uncle Jimbo on 2010-10-27 06:02:17

Real ale tradition by JosB on 2010-10-27 15:22:05

Real ale tradition by Mark Andersen on 2010-10-28 14:09:43

Real ale tradition by Barry on 2010-10-29 12:38:43