Differences Between Beer and Cider
When it comes to alcohol, cider and beer may be the crowd favourite around the world. Although beer has been reigning supreme since its inception in Britain thousands of years ago, cider is slowly regaining popularity in the market. Often ordered as alternatives for the other, cider and beer do have their similarities. Both provide the same kind of refreshing fizziness that people so crave on a hot day. However, there are more differences between the two drinks than one might realise. To differentiate between the two, let’s start with observing the basics.
Differences in ingredients between cider and beer
What these two drinks are made of determines the rest of the differences between the two.
While both drinks are fermented, cider’s base is fruits. The most common fruit used to produce cider is apples, but pears are sometimes utilised too. It’s possible to create a drink by fermenting other fruits; however, any fermented fruit drink that isn’t made of apples or pears are called “fruit wines.”
On the other hand, beer is made of grains, or malted barley in particular. It also contains a key ingredient which gives it that classic flavour beer is known for: hops.
Differences in taste between cider and beer
Because they are made of different ingredients, cider and beer also taste different.
Cider varies between sweet and dry, depending on the types of apples used in the drink. Cider producers may also opt to include artificial sweeteners. In its essence though, cider is the fruitier of the two drinks thanks to its fruit base.
Meanwhile, what beer lacks in sweetness, it makes up for in carbonation and hops. There is a wide variety of beers ranging from malty to crisp, but one thing is for sure—the hops linger in the afertaste no matter how light or how bitter.
Differences in alcohol and sugar content between cider and beer
Debates circulate around, with some people claiming that cider is a healthier alcohol than beer. There are many factors that come into play when thinking of the health benefits of alcohol. Two of which are sugar and alcohol content.
Because it’s made of apples, cider contains a high level of sugar whether sweet or dry. However, ABV content differs slightly between the two types. Dry cider may contain less sugar, but it consists of more alcohol.
Beer, on the other hand, may not contain sugar, but it does contain carbohydrates. This makes beer unsafe to drink for people with celiac disease, as it contains gluten. Some brewers will also opt to add sugar after fermentation to counter some of the bitterness in the beer. Compared to cider, beer’s alcohol content is roughly the same.
Differences in health benefits between cider and beer
There isn’t really an answer as to which alcohol is better to be consuming. However, each does come with their own health benefits.
Cider is packed full of antioxidants and polyphenols, which can protect consumers from heart disease and even some forms of cancer. It’s also gluten free, unlike beer, which makes it safe for celiacs to consume.
Compared to cider, beer’s polyphenol level pales in comparison. This is due to the fact that brewers remove them because they create cloudy beers. However, beer does contain flavonoids, which are also beneficial to heart health.
