Sure, there are millions of things to learn about beer. From growing your own hops for a custom home brew, to low-carb selections on the market today, the information surrounding this popular and indulgent beverage is vast. Aside, you might think you have a good grasp on your beer facts, but there are a few beer questions you haven’t thought to ask before! Continue reading to review some uncommon frequently asked questions about beer that might actually surprise you.
Interesting Beer FAQS You Want to Know
Will Beer Curdle Milk?
Have you ever heard that you can curdle milk by pouring beer into it? Well, here’s what you need to know about that: it’s true. And it’s all due to the acidity in beer causing the milk proteins (known as caseins) to clump together. Just like adding lemon juice to milk, the acidic content in beer will make milk curdle.
Why Does Beer Have Head But Soda Doesn’t?
Whether you order a draft beer, pour a bottle into a glass, or draw from a keg, you want your beer to have a little head. But why does beer form head and other carbonated drinks, like soda, do not? Well, the answer has to do with the proteins in barley malt and hops, which are ingredients used to make beer. One protein of this source in particular is known as Lipid Transfer Protein 1 (LTP1), which repels water. It will form a bubble of C02 to act as its life preserver, taking it to the top of the glass. Beer foam formation is a process known as nucleation, which is basically a fancy word to describe a bunch of proteins reacting to each other.
Why Does Beer Go Bad?
No one likes skunky beer. We know that if we leave beer in the hot sun for a long time that it will get skunky. But what actually makes beer go bad? And does it have an expiration date? Well, hops are used to brew beer, and they contain bitter, light-sensitive compounds known as isohumulones. These compounds both breakdown and combine with the sulfur compounds in beer, causing the tell-tale skunky taste and smell of bad beer. As for an expiration date, beer does in fact expire. At room temperature, it has a 6 to 9 month shelf-life. In the fridge, you can keep beer for up to 2 years. However, once past its prime, it is not necessarily unsafe to drink, but rather, unpleasant.
Does Flat Beer Have Less Alcohol Content?
If you let your beer sit out too long, the carbonation will eventually dissipate, and you will be left with a flat, non-carbonized brew. But a flat beer does not mean a weak beer. The alcohol content remains the exact same no matter how long you let it sit flat. Additionally, beer continues to age after bottling, just like wine, but not in the good way. Once beer goes bad, it might taste and smell funny, and lack carbonation, but the alcohol content is the same.
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