Navigating the vast ocean of beers may seem like a titanic task, especially when it comes to understanding those names attached to each style: Porter, IPA, Pale Ale, and other terms that seem out of an ancestral language Cherokee. But, is all this just a matter of classification or is there something deeper in the art of describing a beer?

Who are the maps of the brewing treasure?

For some, those who live in the trench of elaboration, sale or criticism, styles are nothing more than tools that help decipher very complex secrets: what ingredients use, how to balance flavors and what is the trajectory that leads to a porter of the hand of a beer teacher. They are those who, with microanalysis and passion, seek to understand each nuance to explain it to their community and ensure that knowledge is not lost along the way.

On the other hand, there are those who simply want to enjoy without a hand man. For them, beer is more a sensory experience than an ingredient equation. They just want to know if beer will like them, without asking whether proudly titled as IPA or Golden Ale. It is a simple communication issue: if Juan likes Guinness, a dark porter may be fascinated; If Maria enjoys fruit beers, one with hops aromas may be the next challenge in her cup.

Why does the label matter in a changing world?

But not everything is so simple. Those who enjoy studying the styles face a land of constant transformations. Are the styles something fixed, such as a sacred text, or a river that always looks for its own path? Reality indicates that they are rather a reflection of evolution, a mirror of the moment and the place where they are created.

50 years ago, an IPA was very different from an IPA today, and within 10 years, we will probably have an even more radically different version. The beer community, with its experiments and trends, challenges any attempt to set strict rules. It is a liquid dance where categories expand, deform and take new forms.

To what extent are the styles useful or just a way of labeling our liquor?

The problem arises when the labels become more than simple references and begin to condition the perception of the public. Some organizations, such as the BJCP, propose wide categorical paths, with more than 80 different styles, but in their process, they often lose creativity for the sake of precision.

Standardizing too much, we end up depriving the beer of his artistic soul. What happens when an innovative beer does not fit in existing boxes? The common reaction is that it simply does not enter the category, and then, it is outside the radar even if it is a jewel.

The styles, tools or chains that limit creativity?

For many, the style label is an attempt to offer a useful information curtain, a kind of signing of the brewery about what they wanted to achieve. But, in some cases, that same firm can become an infinite prison, which limits the ability to explore new horizons.

My opinion, that if I am allowed, is that styles should be like maps in a game: guides, not rigid rules. The essence of beer is its ability to surprise us, to play with ingredients and techniques, to mix with culture and innovation without fear of challenging categories.

What remains in this liquid scene and in perpetual change?

The current challenge is not to define a definitive style, but to understand and accept the fluidity of this art. The real enjoyment can reside in the freedom to prove new things, without being obliged to fit into labels, and to listen to the brewer’s voice, which tells us what it seeks with its creation.

Meanwhile, perhaps the best way to appreciate beer is with an open mind and a palate willing to explore those sinuous paths that are born from passion and human creativity.

An explosion of flavor in each bite: the homemade pretzel revolution

Did you ever think that simple Pretzels could become a gourmet experience? This recipe combines the German tradition with a modern touch, using beer to give it a unique flavor profile. The best part: preparing these snacks is so simple and fast that it will seem that you are playing in the kitchen, more than cooking.

The secret behind magic: useful ingredients and advice

The true secret of irresistible pretzels is in its mass and in that peculiar touch of cooking. You only need basic ingredients, but with a small variation in proportions and techniques, you achieve a result of a professional chef. ALE beer brings not only flavor, but also a light texture and an aroma that seduces in each bite.

For those who enjoy customizing their recipes, this is perfect, since you can experiment with different beer styles, adding a turn on each occasion. In addition, the preparation itself can be done with simple utensils, such as a hand blender that, if you still do not have one, can be your next investment in the kitchen.

From mixture to the table: steps for glorious snacks

Prepare the dough

Gently heat the beer until it is warm, approximately 40 ° C, and pour into a bowl. Add yeast and honey, mix calmly and let stand for a few minutes. You will see how bubbling and that chemical magic is activated that makes the dough grow with joy.

Incorporates the sifted flour and salt, work with a blender or by hand, adding more flour in small quantities until reaching a soft texture, which does not stick but has a body. It forms a ball, extend it in the form of a cylinder and cut into portions to create those classic pretzel figures.

The bubbling and golden touch

While the oven is prepared, boil water and add the bicarbonate caution, be careful with the effervescence that can splash. Pubject each pretzel in that bubbling water for a few seconds, which will give them that characteristic texture and color, after which they are placed on the tray ready to bake.

A final touch with beaten egg and thick salt crown the preparation before the final roast in a hot oven, giving a golden, crunchy result and with that irresistible appearance.

What about the sauce? The perfect dressing to raise the experience

A deleted Cheddar cheese is the classic accompaniment, but you can innovate with spices or even a spicy touch. Preparing it is as simple as melting butter, adding flour to thicken and, little by little, integrate milk and cheese, achieving a creamy and delicious sauce.

Beyond history: pretzels and their cultural legacy

Although today we relate them to German and North American cuisine, these ties have old roots. Pretzels have an origin that dates back to spring rituals in Central Europe, where their form symbolized the ram’s horns in honor of former Celtic celebrations. Their crooked appearance and salty flavor made them a symbol of celebration and tradition.

This little sandwich, which combines history, technique and flavor, invites those who enjoy in the kitchen to explore and recreate a dish full of history and flavor in their own houses, always with the fun of experimenting and creating.

Can you imagine the next meetings where these pretzels are the protagonists? The mixture of tradition and creativity will surely leave everyone wanting more, transforming a simple recipe into a delicious memory.