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Sparta Pils
In the second half of the 19th century, in the Bavarian Alps, a new brewing method was developed as yeasts were discovered there that fermented in cold temperatures. Beers brewed in this way were called Lagers. This was in contrast to all beer yeasts known at the time that only worked in a warm environment. Beers brewed using the old method are called Ales. In combination with the use of light-colored malts and soft water, this new brewing process was perfected in the Czech town of Pilzen. And so it happened that this town gave its name to a new type of beer: the Pilsner beer or Lager.
In the 20th century, this type of beer captured the whole world. Today, more than 90 percent of the world's beer consumption is beer brewed according to the Pilsner method. There are several reasons for this.
- The brewing method is simple and inexpensive.
- The rise of Pilsner beers was coupled with and boosted by the use of a drinking glass instead of a stone pitcher. Thanks to the industrial revolution, glasses could for the first time be manufactured inexpensively and the new lager brewers encouraged the use of the glass. By now drinking from a glass, the beer drinker could for the first time see the beautiful golden color of his beer.
- Lagers first became popular in the German culture. During World War I, the German occupier closed down most Belgian breweries and forced the breweries that did remain open to brew lager. This obligation was repeated in World War II.
- German emigrants, who made up the largest group of migrants in the USA, brought this brewing technique with them to America. The worldwide spread of American culture stimulated the introduction of lager in the rest of the world.
Fortunately, since the 1980s, there has been a growing new interest in authentic regional beers. Belgium once again took the lead in this respect and drove consumption of lager back to less than 70 %. The British Isles are also succeeding in once again promoting their authentic beer styles and the USA has seen a microbrew revolution.
All of this does not take away that lager can be an excellent beer with its own character. A lager is low
in alcohol content, approximately 5 % volume, and is therefore a beer of which you can drink several in a row.
It is an excellent thirst quencher when served cold which is why lager is particularly popular in the summer.
Despite the rise of abbey beers and other heavy types of beer, lager is still the most drunk. Sparta Pils
is one of the best lagers because it is not pasteurized. Pasteurization is the process in which the beer is
briefly heated to 62° C in order to kill any bacteria and living yeast cells, whereby some of the taste is
also lost. The advantage of pasteurization, however, is that the shelf life is extended. The exclusive use
of strictly selected and inspected ingredients also contributes to the delicious flavor of Sparta Pils.
Technical file for Sparta Pils:
5 % alcohol by volume, 12 ° Plato, lager
shelf life: at least 1 year after bottling date
available in: small bottles 25 cl; kegs 30 l, 50 l.
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