Beer not only quenches thirst but also has the effects of reducing fever and preventing heatstroke, making it a long-standing favorite among summer beverages. Especially now, with a wide variety of beer types and diverse flavors, it caters to the different tastes of various consumers. In recent years, draft beer has won over consumers with its light and refreshing style. They feel that draft beer is purer, fresher, and more nutritious than pasteurized beer.
The main difference between draft and pasteurized beer lies in the sterilization process. According to the national standard, draft beer is defined as beer that is not subjected to pasteurization or high-temperature sterilization, but instead uses physical methods for sterilization to achieve a certain degree of biological stability. Pasteurized beer is sterilized by heating to extend its shelf life, but this process causes it to lose its fresh flavor. In contrast, draft beer meets shelf-life requirements through micro-filtration for sterilization, preserving its flavor and nutritional content.
In terms of nutritional value, draft beer is more nutritious than pasteurized beer. Furthermore, its appearance, aroma, and taste are superior. Draft beer has a lighter color, better clarity and transparency, and a brighter, more beautiful appearance. It retains the activity of enzymes, which is beneficial for breaking down large molecules. It also contains richer amino acids and soluble proteins, making it more nutritious. Additionally, beer contains various antioxidants, and some beers, due to brewing requirements, may have a small amount of vitamin C added. Based on these rich nutritional components, the benefits of drinking beer are also evident.
Draft beer can be further divided into pure draft beer and regular draft beer. Pure draft beer can have a shelf life of up to 180 days. While regular draft beer is also not sterilized at high temperatures, it uses diatomaceous earth filtration, which can only remove yeast and not other bacteria. Therefore, its shelf life is generally only 3-5 days. The draft beer commonly consumed, such as zha beer, is a type of regular draft beer that tastes refreshing when fresh. However, once it develops a soapy-water-like or sour smell, it has spoiled and should not be consumed.