Difference between Beer and Wine
Beer and wine are both alcoholic beverages that have become some of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world. They are commonly served in bars, pubs and restaurants, but they are also often drunk at home. Both beer and wine have their own dedicated drinkers.
Ingredients and Flavor
Beer is produced from the fermentation of cereal grains with yeast, usually malted barley, although rice, wheat and corn are also used sometimes. Hops are generally added for flavoring, in order to create the characteristic bitter taste. The hops are also a natural preservative, so they can help the beer to last longer. In some cases, additional herbs, fruit or other flavorings may be added to the beer. Beer can come in a number of different varieties, which are produced with slightly different ingredients or through different processes. Varieties include pale ale, stout, mild, wheat beer, lager and lambic.
Beer is usually brown in color, although it can range from light to dark. It is usually topped with a head of foam. Beer may be served as draught beer from a keg, or in a bottle or can. Steins, mugs, pint glasses and tankards are all used to drink beer. It may be served chilled, but it can also be drunk at room temperature.
Wine is made from fermented fruit juice, usually grape. The grapes are crushed and combined with yeast. Different varieties of grapes produce different types of wine. Wine is often named for the grape variety or the region where the grapes were grown. Wine is usually either red or white, depending on the color of the grapes, although rose wine is also available. Grape wines can have a variety of flavors, ranging from sweet to bitter. Wines can also be produced from other fruits, after which they are normally named, for example elderberry wine and apple wine.
Wine is typically served from a bottle sealed with a cork, although some wines such as port wine may be transferred into a decanter before serving. White wine is typically served chilled while red wine is usually drunk at room temperature. Wine is usually drunk from a wine glass, although glasses of slightly different shapes may be used for different types of wine, such as Champagne, port, dessert wine, red wine and white wine.
Alcohol Content
Beer typically has an alcohol content of between 4 and 6 percent by volume, although the volume of alcohol in beer can vary between 1 and 20 percent.
Red, white and sparking wines typically have an alcohol content of 10 to 14 percent. Dessert wines and aperitifs usually contain between 14 and 20 percent alcohol.
Both wine and beer are also available in non-alcoholic forms.
Consumption and Cultural Value
Beer is one of the most commonly drunk beverages in the world. Only water and tea are drunk more often. In many parts of the world, beer was traditionally drunk since it offered a safer alternative to water in the days when there were few safe sources of water. Beer plays an important role in the cultures of these countries. Beer is often drunk socially in pubs and at sporting events, as well as at beer festivals, which are particularly common in Germany.
Wine has also played an important cultural role, with its own traditions and festivals, particularly in the main wine producing countries such as France and Italy. Wine is also traditionally used during the Christian Eucharist.
Similarities and Differences
- Wine and beer are two popular alcoholic beverages that play an important role in many cultures.
- Beer is the third most commonly consumed beverage.
- Beer is made from fermented grains Wine is made from fermented fruit, particularly grapes.
- Beer is a brown, bitter liquid with a creamy head of foam.
- Wine is usually a red or white liquid, but it may be carbonated.
