There is type of beer very particular, which stands out from the rest for its dark and opaque color: the dark beer A distant cousin of the blonde beer, it is recognized for its strong flavor reminiscent of chocolate and coffee. Beyond the popular Guinness, there are all styles and colors, and each one gains recognition in the beer field.
In essence, what makes dark beer dark? The answer is in the grain. Most beers start from the same grain: barley, although there are also others made with wheat, oats, rye and rice. Each of these grains gives the beer its own character.
However, what really makes the difference in the color and body of a beer is how the malt has been roasted. The more manipulated the malt is, the darker the drink will be.
The roasting of the malt not only contributes to the color, but also to the body and flavors. For example, one dark beer industrial in nature tends to be more complex, with a deeper aroma and flavor that resembles coffee, caramel and chocolate. While the artisanal variants will offer an even wider range of flavors, from vanilla coffee to even seasonal flavors like pumpkin, ginger, chai, and hot peppers.
Unlike lighter beers such as blond, which offer smooth and refreshing flavors dominated by hops.
Some of the characteristics that make up the profile of dark beer are: a graduation alcoholic which oscillates between the 4th and 6th gradesan aroma of roasted malt and caramel, a intense black color with a thick and durable foam and a taste in the mouth that tends to be sweet. Specialists on the subject assure that when serving, it is best to tilt the glass to 45ºC and once 75% of the drink has been filled in the glass, position it vertically until the glass is full. It is recommended to take, due to its consistency and texture, at a temperature between 8 and 10 ºC.
Insofar as their combination, like beer provides both richness and sweetness, there is various food pairings that work perfectly. Pork or smoked meat dishes, either the pieces alone or with a thick sauce, contrast the light sweetness of the beer with the salty points of the meat. Also when mixed with a blue cheese, such as Roquefort or Gouda, the caramel notes of the beer balance perfectly for a flavor and umami effect in the mouth.
Finally, regarding the most outstanding black beer brands of the moment. Although there is one wide variety of optionswe are going to propose a selection of some of the three best of National Production to prove yes or yes.
Chula Negra: From the firm Cervezas Villa de Madrid, in the town of Rivas-Vaciamadrid, its black beer proposal from Stout typeIt is not pasteurized or filtered. Indeed, it has a lower alcohol content and in the case of the Chula Negra it is approximately 4%. Its color is ruby and dark, while its aroma is reminiscent of coffee, pastries, chocolate and vanilla. On the palate it is fresh and slightly bitter to enjoy mid-afternoon or to be shared with some macadamia nuts or toasted almonds.
Galana Negra Nº 9 Black Ale: Produced by the firm Cervecera Galana in the region of Valencia, it is a Ale type, long fermentation with resistant yeasts. Brewed with pure spring water, the result is an opaque beer with a brown color, fine bubbles and an aroma reminiscent of Colombian coffee, with hints of roasted caramel.
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- Rosita Negra: Located in Tarragona, Rosita is a craft brewery founded in 2007. Because of its homemade character, it prides itself on not using any additives or preservatives, nor filtered or pasteurized. The result is a beer with a caramel tone to brownish. On the palate it is sweet with a subtle bitter finish, with a taste of dried fruit being ideal to enjoy with a chocolate brownie for example.
Other interesting brands of local production are: Odiel Artesana Negra de Trigo (Huelva) and Mica Imperial Stout (Burgos).
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