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Draught beer

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**History of Draught Beer:**
Beer served directly from barrels until the invention of the beer engine in 1785.
– Evolution of the term “draught” from Old English.
– Establishment of the term “draught” for serving or drinking beer.
– Variation in spelling as “draught” in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and “draft” in North America.
– Pronunciation variations based on regional accents.
– Key historical milestones like the introduction of artificial carbonation and the founding of CAMRA.

**Types of Draught Beer:**
– Keg beer: Pressurized after fermentation with carbon dioxide or gas mixtures.
– Shift from cask ale to keg beer in the UK for easier handling.
– CAMRA’s advocacy for traditional cask beer and support for microbreweries.
– Use of nitrogen in creamy beers for a smooth palate and foamy appearance.
– Differences in storage and serving temperatures between cask and keg beer.

**Canned and Bottled Draught Beer:**
– Marketing use of “draft/draught” for canned/bottled beers to imply cask/keg-like taste.
– Examples like Miller Genuine Draft and Guinness stout in Draught-flow cans.
– Utilization of nitrogen widgets or cellulose fibers in bottles for smooth beer.
– Implications of draft beer in East Asia for unpasteurized canned/bottled beer.
– Focus on fresher taste and shorter shelf-life compared to conventional beers.

**Benefits and Storage of Draught Beer:**
– Benefits include fresher taste, optimal carbonation levels, cost-effectiveness, and reduced packaging waste.
– Proper storage temperatures for cask and keg beer.
– Importance of clean lines, specialized keg storage systems, and monitoring CO2 levels for freshness.

**Serving and Quality Control of Draught Beer:**
– Importance of correct glassware, proper pouring techniques, and maintaining carbonation.
– Guidelines for serving promptly, educating staff, and enhancing the drinking experience.
– Quality control measures such as taste tests, monitoring keg levels, addressing feedback, staff training, and implementing quality assurance protocols.

Draught beer (Wikipedia)

Draught beer, also spelt draft, is beer served from a cask or keg rather than from a bottle or can. Draught beer served from a pressurised keg is also known as keg beer.

Draught beer fonts at the Delirium Café in Brussels

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