Filtering beer

[fabledbrewer]

Most beer that you find in the stores these days is filtered, but most people who buy filtered beer don't really stop to think what this means. Filtered beer is simply beer that has had the yeast and large particulate matter removed from it, resulting in a clearer, prettier, "brighter" beer. In the olden days, before Pilsener-style lagers became

Comments

[stepharoony]

*huggles*

But we love you for taking care of it.

You'll have to show me the difference one day ;)

[fabledbrewer]

With pleasure, my dear.

[alberonn]

From now on I agree to drink only unfiltered beer...when I drink beer at all. ;)

[fabledbrewer]

Which is never, right? :-)

Still, since you don't drink beer, at least you can not drink the filtered beer. Logically, that's almost the same thing.

[alberonn]

I can't help but notice your wonderful filtered-beer icon. ;)

[fabledbrewer]

Yeah, but my Stephers made this for me, so I use it with pride.

[plklives]

I prefer unfiltered beer, but then I also prefer heirloom varieties of tomatoes and apples to the "perfect"-looking ones that are mass-produced, I prefer naturally-leavened bread to the majority of what's sold in stores, etc. It could be I'm just a snob in general.

But anyway, there's a great article from the economic sociology perspective on how small, high quality products do (or don't) survive in a market dominated by lower quality goods that appeal to broad audices. I think it's specifically about the microbrew movement, and how some breweries manage to make it by carving out a specialty niche. And that's not a niche market the larger companies can ever touch, since by their nature, they can't provide that quality of goods.

[fabledbrewer]

This is why you rock. You *understand* things.

Yeah, the history of the microbrew movement is largely a history of catering to niche markets. I know of a number of microbreweries (unfortunately not mine) that proudly claim that their beers are unfiltered. Between you and me, however, I know that they would filter if they had the equipment and they would go for that larger audience.

[plklives]

hehe, thanks.

What really makes the whole thing frustrating, I'm sure, is that the little companies aren't the ones in a position to educate the public. (And I know - educating the public sounds elitist and snobbish, but it goes on all the damn time) Budweiser and Coors are the ones who can afford to teach the public to like stuff that's "cold-filtered" and has some crap "born-on" date. And that gets people thinking that young, crystal-clear beer is best, and that if there's some dregs down in the bottom of the bottle, that that's a problem.

K and I are getting a variety of beers for our upcoming wedding. A couple from Sudwerk, some Anchor Steam, some Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It should be a good variety of local stuff.

[otterprincess]

I prefer unfiltered as well. ;) Just taste better. Mmmmm. Unless it's a really chunky funky beer. That apricot stuff I got a few months ago had a chunk of pit and pulp in it. Not a nice sensation.

A long time ago when I was a kid I read a horror book about a guy who was drinking cheap canned beer. He drank it straight from the can and a grey slimy monster got inside of him and then all hell broke loose. I've never cared to drink anything from a can, but when I think back on that story it makes me shudder. It REALLY creeped me out and I prefer to see my beer and what may be lurking inside it. *L*

I'm very thirsty. I wish I had something good here to drink besides Ice Tea. ;)

[fabledbrewer]

You are always welcome to pop over and visit me. I'm currently drinking the IPA. I find the hoppiness refreshing on these summery evenings.

[blackbirdshaq]

So, basically you're lazy?

*runs from the cute beerboy*