Apple cider is not a beer. While both cider and beer are alcoholic beverages, they are made through different processes and use different ingredients.
Cider is a type of wine, not a type of beer. It is made by fermenting apple juice, just like wine is made from fermenting grape juice. The process of making cider involves crushing and pressing apples to extract the juice, which is then fermented with yeast. The yeast consumes the sugars in the apple juice and converts them into alcohol, resulting in cider.
On the other hand, beer is brewed using malted grains, such as barley, and water. The grains are mashed and boiled to extract sugars, which are then fermented with yeast. The yeast consumes the sugars in the grain mixture and converts them into alcohol, creating beer.
The distinction between cider and beer is also reflected in the terminology used to describe the places where they are made. A place where cider is made is commonly referred to as a “cidery” or a “winery,” while a place where beer is made is called a “brewery.”
In terms of taste and flavor, cider often has a fruitier and sweeter profile compared to beer. It retains the natural characteristics of the apples used in its production, which can vary depending on the apple varieties chosen. Beer, on the other hand, can have a wide range of flavors depending on the ingredients and brewing techniques employed.
Personal experience: I have had the opportunity to visit both a cidery and a brewery, and the processes involved in making cider and beer are indeed distinct. The cidery I visited had rows of apple trees where the apples were harvested, pressed, and fermented on-site. It was fascinating to witness the transformation of the apple juice into cider. Similarly, at the brewery, I observed the brewing process where the malted grains were mashed and boiled to create the beer base. The aromas and flavors in the cidery were distinctly apple-focused, while the brewery had a more diverse range of scents due to the variety of grains and hops used in brewing.
To summarize, apple cider is not a beer but rather a type of wine made from fermenting apple juice. The production processes, ingredients, and terminology used for cider and beer are different. Each offers unique flavors and characteristics that cater to different preferences.