Draught beer is beer served directly from a cask or keg instead of being bottled or canned. It comes in various styles and typically has its carbonation maintained through pressure from the serving system.
How it is made
Draught beer can be served from either a cask or a keg. Cask beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, with natural carbonation from the fermentation process. Keg beer is often filtered and/or pasteurized, with carbonation maintained by adding carbon dioxide or a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas to the keg. Some creamy beers like Guinness use a nitrogen blend to create a smooth texture and dense head.
History
The term 'draught' comes from the Old English word 'dragan,' meaning to carry or pull. In 1691, John Lofting patented a system that could draw 20 to 30 barrels of beer per hour. The early 20th century saw the introduction of pressurized containers for serving beer. In 1936, Watney's Red Barrel became the first pasteurized draught beer in the UK. By the 1970s, 'draught beer' primarily referred to beer served under pressure, leading to the founding of CAMRA in 1971 to protect traditional cask ale methods.
Types and styles
Draught beer includes both cask ale and keg beer. Cask ale is unpressurized and naturally conditioned, while keg beer is filtered, pasteurized, and artificially carbonated. Some styles use nitrogen blends for a creamier texture, such as dry stouts. The term 'real ale' was coined by CAMRA to describe traditional cask-conditioned beer. In some Asian countries, 'draft beer' refers to unpasteurized beer, whether served on tap or packaged.
How it is served
Cask beer should be stored and served at cellar temperature, around 12°C (54°F), and consumed within three days of opening. Keg beer is served colder, between 3 and 8°C (37 and 46°F), often with additional cooling just before serving. Some canned and bottled beers use widgets or special coatings to mimic the characteristics of draught beer, though these are technically not true draught beers as they don't come directly from a cask or keg.
Styles and varieties
- Bia hơi (Vietnam)