Although beer isn’t the first beverage that comes to mind when discussing healthy drinks, it is certainly not as harmful as most other alcoholic drinks. Cider and beer are indeed popular drinks in many countries. Both alcoholic beverages date back many centuries. However, beer is more popular than cider in most parts of the world.
Many people have several doubts in their minds about beer and cider. First, you will hear people wondering about the health benefits of these two drinks. Some wonder which of the two will get them drunk faster. If you have already tried both drinks, it is time to find answers to these questions and clarify specific points.
Which One Is Healthier?
When it comes to health benefits, cider scores above beer health benefits. According to recent research by the Mediterranean Neurological Institute, beer can help reduce the risk of heart ailments by almost 42%. However, the catch is that moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages is necessary.
On the other hand, cider has polyphenols. These are natural compounds capable of improving your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Polyphenols also can protect you against specific kinds of cancers. It will not be wrong to say that cider is a large storehouse of antioxidants. Unfortunately, due to the process of manufacturing beer, it loses naturally occurring polyphenols.
Which One Gets You Drunk The Fastest?
It is common sense that any beverage with a high alcoholic content will get you drunk faster. For example, if you compare beer with cider, both beverages have similar alcoholic content. However, some beer brands have around 40% alcohol. At the same time, some ciders may be alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Thus, it will be tough to determine which would get you drunk faster, beer or cider.
Which One Has More Calories Or Helps You Lose Weight?
Loss of excess body weight is associated with the intake of low-calorie foods. However, you may wonder which has a low-calorie content. Is it beer or cider? At an initial glance, you will notice that beer has a low-calorie content compared to cider. It has 43 kcal compared to cider’s 56 kcal per 100gm.
Carbohydrates are the primary source of calories in both cider and beer. The carb content in beer is 3.55gm compared to cider, with 5.92gm per 100gm. This data means that cider has almost 67% more carb content than beer. Thus, the calorie content in beer is lower. As a result, beer is less damaging than cider if you plan to lose excess body weight.
Which One Tastes Better?
Many people prefer beer, and many love cider. However, you may often wonder which of the two tastes better. Both beer and cider are indeed available in multiple strengths and flavors. However, the primary difference between the two beverages is the slightly sweeter cider flavor. There is nothing new about ciders containing a higher amount of sugar. As a result, it tends to taste sweeter than beer.
The fermentation process of ciders involves the use of fruit juice. On the other hand, the fermentation of beer consists of the use of malted barley. Sugar is added before and after fermentation to boost the sweetness. Due to the enhanced sweetness, ciders are also available in many options.
Which One Is More Popular?
If you talk about popularity, you will find more people aware of beer than cider. This fact is because there are more beer brands in the market, and apart from a couple of countries, this alcoholic beverage is available everywhere. However, if you talk about cider, there are few cider brands in the market. Furthermore, people associate the beverage with weight loss due to the combination drink apple cider vinegar. Thus, it is not wrong to say that beer is more popular compared to cider.
Significant Points of Differences between Beer and Cider
Although beer and cider may seem similar to many of you, there are several differences between the two beverages. Some of the key points of differences are mentioned below.
1. Process of Manufacture
The process of making beer involves brewing and fermenting hops and malted barley. These two ingredients play a significant role in giving the beer its original classic flavor. Different beer brands may have varying levels of alcohol. You will also find non-alcoholic beer.
On the other hand, manufacturing cider involves fermenting apple juice. This process converts the natural sugar in the juice to alcohol. However, if you do not like alcohol, you may opt for non-alcoholic cider.
2. Varieties and Flavors
There are two categories of beer – ale, and lager. The former category is heavier and darker compared to the latter. Ale beers are also served at warmer temperatures. On the other hand, lager beers are best when served cold. These types of beer also have less flavor.
However, ciders are available in a wide array of clarity and colors. Ciders may be absolutely clear or highly cloudy. Colors may range from pale yellow to rich shades of brown and orange. The clarity of ciders depends upon the filtering levels between the stages of pressing and fermentation.
3. Ingredients
If you talk about the ingredients used in manufacturing beer and cider, they depend on fermented sugar for their alcohol content. However, both beverages are manufactured from different components. Malted barley and hoops are the primary ingredients to make beer. On the other hand, apple juice is the primary ingredient in manufacturing cider. Although some beers contain different components, such as fruits, a proper cider will never contain malted barley.
Conclusion
You probably know everything there is to learn about beer and cider. Although both are popular in their worlds, beer has more buyers than cider. The alcoholic beverage is also popular in most parts of the world, compared to cider. Although beer is usually available in two primary categories – ale and lager, cider is available in various flavors and colors. Due to the inclusion of apple juice in cider, it also has a sweeter taste compared to beer.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
