Well, let me tell ya somethin’ about these malt alcoholic beverages. Folks been makin’ and drinkin’ this stuff for ages, way back when. It ain’t nothin’ new, that’s for sure.
First off, what is this stuff anyway? It’s like, they take grains, yeah, like barley or wheat, and they let it get all wet and sprout a little. Then they dry it out and cook it up, kinda like makin’ bread, but not really. They call that “malting,” I think. Then they mash it all up, add some water, and let it sit. This makes it all bubbly and soupy, and that’s where the magic happens. That bubbly stuff, that’s what turns into alcohol.
Now, there’s all sorts of different kinds of this malt liquor. Some are strong, some are weak. Some taste kinda sweet, some are bitter as a gourd. It all depends on how they make it, ya know? Some folks like that whiskey stuff, that’s made with malt. It’s strong and burns your throat a bit, but it warms ya up real good on a cold night.
- Whiskey: This one’s real popular, been around forever. They make it from different grains, and it tastes different dependin’ on where it’s from and how it’s made. Some of it’s smooth, some of it’s rough. It’s all a matter of taste, I guess.
- Beer: Now this one, this is the everyday drink for many folks. It’s not as strong as whiskey, and it’s bubbly and refreshing. They make it with malt too, and hops, which gives it that little bitter taste. There’s light beer, dark beer, all sorts.
My old man, he used to make his own brew sometimes. It wasn’t fancy, but it did the job. He’d say, “It ain’t store-bought, but it’ll put hair on your chest!” He used to use all sorts of things, whatever grains he had on hand. He’d always say, the key is in the malt, getting it just right.
Some folks, they write whole books about this stuff. They talk about the “chemistry” and the “diastatic power” and all that fancy talk. I don’t know nothin’ about that. All I know is, if it tastes good and it warms ya up, it’s good enough for me.
There’s even books for beginners, for folks who want to make their own beer or something. They tell ya all about the hops, the yeast, and of course, the malt. It sounds complicated, but I reckon anyone can do it if they put their mind to it.
And speaking of books, there’s one fellow, John Mallett, he wrote a whole book just about malt! Can ya believe it? He says malt is real important, it gives the drink its color, flavor, and all that. He knows a whole lot more than me, that’s for sure. He goes way back, talkin’ ’bout the history of malt, from way back when. He even talks about “Maillard reactions” and such, I don’t even know what that is! But he makes it sound important.
So, whether you’re drinkin’ whiskey, beer, or somethin’ else made from malt, just remember, it’s been around a long time. Folks been enjoyin’ it for generations. Just don’t go overdoin’ it, ya hear? A little bit is fine, but too much will make ya silly. And remember, it all starts with that little grain, that malt. That’s where the magic comes from.
The best way to drink it? Well, that’s up to you. Some folks like it neat, some folks like it with ice, some folks like it mixed with somethin’ else. There ain’t no right or wrong way, just do what you like. But always drink responsibly, that’s what I say. And if you ever get a chance to try some homemade stuff, go for it. It might not be pretty, but it’ll have some character.
So there ya have it, a little bit about malt alcoholic beverages. It ain’t rocket science, it’s just good ol’ drinkin’ and that’s the long and short of it. And remember, always be careful and don’t go drinkin’ and drivin’, that’s just plain foolish.
Tags: malt, alcoholic beverages, whiskey, beer, brewing, malt liquor, drink, grain, history, John Mallett
