Looking for craft beer online? Discover the selection at Maltese — IPA, Lager, Stout, Sour, and much more. Shipping 24-48h.
Beer guide: history, types, and how to best enjoy it
Beer is one of the oldest and surprisingly diverse fermented beverages. Here we answer the most common questions to help you better understand what you drink and how to appreciate it.
History of beer
Traces of production date back thousands of years in Mesopotamia and Egypt. In the Middle Ages, European monasteries greatly contributed to its refinement; from the modern era, fermentation science and yeast selection have greatly expanded the available variety.
Types of beer
- Lager (bottom fermentation): clean and light — Pilsner, Helles, Märzen.
- Ale (top fermentation): fruitier and more complex — Pale Ale, IPA, Amber Ale.
- Stout and Porter: dark, with toasted, coffee, or chocolate notes.
- Weiss / Hefeweizen: wheat beers with banana and clove aromas.
- Saison and Sour: rustic or sour beers with distinctive aromatic profiles.
- Experimental craft beers: fruit, spices, wood, mixed fermentations.
How are beers classified?
Beers are classified along several axes: fermentation method (top vs bottom), color (light, amber, dark), alcohol content (ABV), bitterness (IBU), and body. For a formal guide, search for "BJCP styles PDF" for detailed documents.
Craft beer ingredients
- Water: the main component, its composition influences the final profile.
- Malt (barley, wheat): provides sugars and color.
- Hop: provides bitterness, aroma, and preservative properties.
- Yeast: responsible for fermentation and many characteristic aromas.
Want to learn more about the ingredients? Buy the Craft Beer Ingredients Course on Maltese →
How beer is made
- Malting → Mashing → Filtration → Boiling and hopping → Fermentation → Maturation → Bottling.
How to enjoy and store beer
- Temperature: lighter lagers colder; aromatic ales slightly warmer to emphasize aromas.
- Proper glass: concentrates aromas and controls foam.
- Storage: cool and consistent temperatures, ideally below 10°C.
To start with a balanced and easy-to-drink beer, try Pelèr Italian Pilsner by Birra Impavida: 5% ABV, lightly carbonated, perfect from aperitif to dinner.
Buy Pelèr Italian Pilsner on Maltese →
Quick pairings
- Light and low-carbonation beers: appetizers, salads, delicate fish.
- Ale and IPA: spicy or flavorful dishes.
- Stout and Porter: chocolate desserts or smoked meats.
Discover the selection of craft beers on Maltese → IPA, Lager, Stout, Sour and much more. Shipping in Italy 24-48h.
