Questions and answers about beer

by Fabiano Toffoli, 32 Via dei Birrai master brewer

What is malt?
The dictionary defines it as the process whereby barley is germinated and then dried, but other cereals (such as wheat, oats, small and large spelt....) can be processed in the same way. Cereals are malted because the yeast cannot break down the starch.

What is double malt beer?
It means this beer is fairly alcoholic (more so than traditional ale with its 5% alcohol content). The name was established with the 1962 law and is only applied in Italy.

Is water important when making a good beer?
The characteristics of the leading brewing styles historically found in Great Britain, Germany and Belgium are partly due to the local spring water. Nowadays, thanks to the quality of malt available and the advanced technologies used, water quality is not as important when brewing certain kinds of beer. The main thing is for the water to be healthy. Good quality water enhances the potential of the product.

Are brown ales more alcoholic?
No, not necessarily. The colour is not an indication of body or a higher alcohol content.

Which beer goes well with pizza?
There are many different types of beer, just as there are many different types of pizzas. We could recommend a different beer for each pizza!

Are their any preservatives in your beer? Have any chemicals been added?
Our beer is 100% natural. It has no added preservatives and no organic acids are used during the brewing process. It does not contain any added metabisulphite.

Is head important?
With the exception of traditional British real ales, brewers and expert barmen take great care to create a thick head when pouring their beer! It adds to the aesthetic look of the drink and can reveal many things about its quality to the connoisseur!