Green beer (not a bottle): what it is, where and how it is made
Green beer is usually called a hopped product that has not fully undergone fermentation, i.e. not. е. immature. However, it has an alternative version, which was named after its characteristic emerald or light green hue. It is obtained with the help of various dyes - natural and artificial.
Real green beer can be tasted only in the Czech Republic, as it is not exported.
It is also produced in Ireland, Germany, Japan, Australia, China, and Russia. For its lightness and low strength, the drink is especially popular with young people and ladies.
Green beer in the Czech Republic
In the country of brewers, the unusual product is brewed on an industrial scale once a year - for Maundy Thursday, which is celebrated the last week before Easter. In Russia, this day is called "Holy Thursday" and is spent cleansing the body and soul, while Czechs celebrate it by drinking green beer.
The drink has been produced since 2006 under the Starobrno, Lobkowicz, and Purkmistr brands. On a special page zelenepivo.cz, dedicated to the holiday, you can find a list of places to try green beer in 2020.
Natural green beer is produced from selected Moravian barley and noble Zhatech hops without the addition of chemical dyes. In the process of brewing, a plant extract based on nettle, lemon balm, hemp or other herbs is introduced into the wort.
The result is an aromatic product with a rich flavor and mild bitterness that undergoes an 8-day period of bottom fermentation. And at the very end, herbal liqueur is added to it. Brewers keep the detailed recipe secret.
Domestic green beer
In Russia, green beer first appeared in 2006 under the Ochakovo Premium Emerald brand, which is brewed with citrus juice, plant extracts, or algae.
With its bright color, the drink with lime juice fully confirmed the name, but it did not last long on sale. Today it is not in the manufacturer's lineup.
Imitation green beer is also produced in Russia:
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Starodub Green
Starodub beer has been produced by Liubets since 1999. Only selected raw materials from around the world are used to make the drink: hops from Finland, Slovakia and Germany, high-quality yeast and hops.
The beer is not pasteurized, so it retains its bright taste and aroma.
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Green Beer Bamboo
It is brewed from selected malt, brewer's yeast, water and hops, adding bamboo and algae extracts to the drink.
The manufacturer recommends pairing it with Japanese cuisine, spicy and savory snacks.
Product strength - 4.5%.
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GREEN JASMIN
A craft version of green beer in the style of Brut-IPA is produced by the young Novosibirsk brewery GUSI under the brand name GREEN JASMINE.
The recipe includes jasmine petals, New Zealand hops Nelson Sauvin with fruity notes and Thai tea Clitoria tricolor, which gives the drink a light green hue.
The strength is 6.8%.
Green beer in other countries
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Ireland
Green color is a national symbol. Hence the popularity of the unusual drink. The brewery is timed to coincide with St. Patrick's Day, which takes place in mid-March.
To get a bright color, blue dye is added to an ordinary intoxicating drink. Mixing blue and yellow gives green. But the taste of this beer is no different from the usual one.
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Germany
Green beer is called "Berliner Weisse". You can try it, as well as an unusual crimson drink, in almost any pub.
To get an emerald hue, herbal syrup is added to beer, and berry syrup to red alcohol.
Also popular is the German version with lime from the Beck's Green Lemon brand, which is now owned by Interbrew. The brand also produces white, red and non-alcoholic versions.
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Japan
Green hops are produced by adding special seaweed to beer. The most famous brand "Shiretoko Draft" from the brewery "Hokkaido Abashiri Beer", produced since 2009.
In addition to the green drink, the company offered consumers blue and red versions. A light green hue is obtained by adding an algae additive to the product, and an unusual aroma is obtained with the help of hops and plants growing on the Siretoko Peninsula.
All colored beers are developed in collaboration with the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.
Drinks are characterized by a low degree (up to 5%). A green product is prepared in a similar way in Australia.
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China
Lettuce beer is made on the basis of Phyllostachys bamboo. It is grown in the Yangtze River Valley. The leaves are harvested in late fall, dried and extracted.
It turns out a green drink with a fresh aroma and a pronounced taste of bamboo shoots. It perfectly quenches thirst, goes well with oriental dishes and seafood.
It is believed that such alcohol helps to remove toxins from the body.
At home, you can make green beer by adding blue liquor to regular light beer, such as Blue Curasao (20-30 grams per 0.5 liters).
But it's better, of course, to go to the Czech Republic or Ireland for a tasting, and celebrate St. Patrick's Day or Green Thursday at the same time.
Update: 19.02.2020
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale