Malt Beverages: Livelier Liquor Than The Muse

Malt Beverages : Livelier Liquor Than The Muse

For good reason, Malty Beverages are becoming more popular by the day. They offer a variety of health benefits. Alongside providing nutrients like antioxidants, B vitamins, and fiber, they hydrate the body as well. Moreover, malty beverages embrace an innate sweetness that is typically enjoyable.

Almost any cereal or seed can be malted, but barley takes the lead. It makes up for the vast majority of beverages that are malted.

To begin with, barley cereal grain, which is largely utilized by the industry, is germinated by soaking it in water. After a time further germination process is halted by drying it up with hot air. The malted grain during this time is able to develop various types of sugars. And the subsequent fermentation process makes it a point to convert this sugar into alcohol. It is why breweries look for sugar-rich barley. This is an essential step that goes into the making of beer. 

Malty Milkshake

Malt sugars are easy to digest. And this cereal grain as such is a healthy addition to the diet. Therefore, doctors during the last few centuries had been trying to figure out ways to get more malt into the human diet.

Doctor William Horlick in the 1870s came up with a process of drying wheat and malt extracts. He did that to simplify adding it with milk for nutritional purposes to invalid and malnourished children.

Milk at the time was not always safe and could not be relied upon to stay healthy. So, Horlick went a step further with this principle to add dried milk to the extracts. Malt powder henceforth only needed to be mixed with water to create a malt beverage. And malts thereby became popular as a health food. It then emerged as a pleasure food by becoming an attractive addition to soda fountains across the United States.

Add Beer to Diet

Beer today is one of the most popular malted beverages across the globe. And malted barley is the primary ingredient for most beers. It is not just milkshakes or malt liquor when you think of ‘malt’ anymore, the largest market share of malted beverages nowadays is actually beer. The process of making beer involves malted barley at its simplest.

The process of beer-making starts when malted barley is cracked to make available the enclosed sugars. It is then boiled and soaked in water to release sugars into the liquid which is now called ‘wort.’ Yeast is added at this point and the fermentation process begins. And the metabolizing process of the sugars in the wort converts them into alcohol.

Finally, hops are added for additional flavor and bitterness to the brew.

Beer is typically considered to be a malt beverage. However, there are some beer varieties that are free of malt. And those are usually known as gluten-free beers.

Refreshingly Rich Malt Liquor

This is a favorite drink of the urban working class. You will always find an exciting variety of malt liquors whenever you walk into a wine store. Malt Liquor beverages look and taste a lot like beer. But they come in a bigger bottle, and with a much higher volume of alcohol content.

Note that beer can be both top and bottom-fermented, while malt liquors are only bottom-fermented. Bottom fermentation only happens with lagers and malt liquors. The yeast in these beverages works from the bottom of the wort at a lower temperature than others. And the fermentation process also takes more time. But eventually, it results in a crisper-tasting malt beverage alongside a less pronounced flavor profile.

Malt liquors further add corn and sugars. It happens to increase the alcohol content in the beverage. This makes the drink more palatable and drinkable. However, malt liquors have less bitterness when compared to most beers.

Never Too Thirsty For Malt Scotch

Malt scotch, whiskey, or bourbon should not be confused with malt liquor. Although they essentially follow the same process as beer does. Except that the liquid is distilled at the very end while making Scotch.

Distillation here means that the liquid is boiled to a point where the alcohol transforms into vapor and only the water remains. The vapor is then separated and transferred back into liquid alcohol within a water-cooled condenser. Scotch always uses malted barley, but is rarely referred to as ‘malt scotch’ or ‘malted whiskey.’

Moreover, Scotch whisky is made in Scotland. Whisky as such is the generic term for distilled malted barley liquor. And Bourbon specifically is whiskey made in the Kentucky area of the United States.

Cheers! The adventure of malted beverages, in fact, is a long and interesting one. It is preferably worth discussing over a mug of beer, or a glass of whiskey at the end of a day.

Top Malt Beverage Brands In The World

It is pertinent to understand what drinks to supply for your guests while planning a party. Normally, you get a free consultation to help you make up your mind on the cocktail menu when you hire a bartender.

Whatever may be the circumstances, it is important to be aware of the most popular alcohol brands worldwide. As you know, everyone across the globe loves whiskey and vodka. And both these malt beverages account for 9 out of the top 15 most-sold alcohol brands around the world.

Here is a short list of the top-selling malt liquor brands based on the revenues they earn.

  • Absolut Vodka: With stripped-down branding and successful marketing since 1979, Absolut has long been a mainstay in the American liquor market. The brand’s logo, however, is considered unconventional. Its divergence from conventional Russo-inspired designs of the bottle dominates and makes it stand out in the market.
  • Aperol: This Italian bitter aperitivo is up and coming. Created in 1919, it portrays an unmistakable bright orange hue that cannot be overlooked. This spirit is the star of many Aperol Spritz around the world, as well as countless stories associated with it.
  • Bacardi Rum: Although the label of this brand designates it as Puerto Rican, Bacardi Rum was actually born in Cuba. It was once considered as the best-selling rum in the world. But today this position has been taken over by Tanduay.
  • Baileys Irish Cream: You probably think of Baileys whenever you think of Irish Cream. It however is the first and the best-selling cream liqueur in the world. And the Baileys eventually sold over 2 billion bottles of Irish Cream in 2021.
  • Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky: Founded by George Ballantine in the early 19th century, this Scotch whisky company steadily grew in popularity in the U.K., Scotland, and also within the United States. Ballantine’s Finest has been one of its most popular varieties for over a century in the whisky category. It burst onto the scene in 1910 and has remained popular ever since.
  • Blender’s Pride Whisky: This is one of the most popular blended whiskies in India launched by Seagram in 1995. With touches of fruit, peat, and wood, it features a heavy aroma. This brand of Scotch whisky happened to join Pernod Ricard’s portfolio way back in 2001.
  • Captain Morgan Rum: Welsh-born Sir Henry Morgan, enlisted by the Queen to guard Spanish interests in the Caribbean Sea, brought the spiced Captain Morgan Rum down to earth. Led a group of pirates, this ruthless and successful sailor happened to use his riches to buy land in Jamaica. And the rum, as per his wish tastes of brown sugar, dried fruit, vanilla, and warm spices along with hints of oak.
  • Crown Royal Whisky: This is a Canadian whisky aged in a variety of casks. The Crown Royal rules around the whisky world in comparison to production in the United States. It offers traditional whiskies alongside flavored varieties including apple and maple, peach, and vanilla. This brand embodies a variety of flavor profiles that result from different types of wood casks used during production.
  • 8 PM Whisky: This is yet another popular Indian brand. It is the flagship whisky from the Radico Khaitan distillery. 8 PM was featured in the LIMCA Book of Records for selling one million bottles in 2001. Ever since its launch, 8 PM became the first liquor brand to do so in this malt beverage category.
  • Emperador Brandy: This liquor brand is Filipino in origin and leads the brandy market worldwide. Released in 1990, Emperador was the first brandy label from the Philippines that has steadily grown in popularity ever since.
  • Gordon’s Gin: Dating back its legacy to its creation in 1769, this malt beverage gin brand is reported to be selling a bottle of the spirit every six seconds. Gordon’s Gin has expanded from its classic original to innovate and come out with creations like a ‘Gin & Lime’ popsicle.
  • Ginebra San Miguel Gin: Produced by a family-owned distillery in Manila, Philippines, this brand makes only one of two gins featured on our list, Ginebra entered the malt beverage scene in 1834 and has successfully made a name for itself over the last two centuries. Ginebra San Miguel Gin is an ideal example.
  • Hennessy: This is one of few household names in the Cognac category of malt beverages. And is a staple in hip-hop culture. Hennessy, as a brand, dates all the way back to 1765. The standard offering of Hennessy retails around the $43 mark. However, it depends upon where it is purchased. This is one of the pricier entries on the list this year.
  • Hlibny Dar Vodka: Produced by Bayadera Group of Ukraine, Hlibny Dar Vodka tops the sales chart of the category in its home country. This company boasts a widely distributed portfolio of spirits. And also happens to be the largest alcohol holding company in Eastern Europe. Bayadera today is exporting its products to 45 countries.
  • Iichiko Shochu: Derived from a dialect spoken in the Ōita Prefecture of Japan, the Iichiko word simply translates to ‘It is a great feeling.’ Featuring 25 percent ABV, Itchiko Shochu is a twin-row barley-based malt beverage and koji-fermented spirit. It is quite often also utilized to impart an umami flavor to cocktails.
  • Imperial Blue Whisky: Acquired it in 2002, this Indian whisky brand is the largest by volume in Pernod Ricard’s portfolio. Imperial Blues Whisky is below the $10 price point. It features a smooth flavor and is a favorite go-to whisky choice for drinkers across the globe.
  • Jack Daniel’s Whiskey: This famed whiskey brand is not only a popular spirit but also a destination as well. Jack Daniel’s Whiskey attracts over 300,000 visitors to its Tennessee distillery every year. And recently in 2022, the brand has also begun to diversify its portfolio by debuting into canned whiskey cocktails.
  • Jägermeister: Most commonly consumed as a shot, this German digestif is best served chilled. Jäger is slowly but surely rebranding itself as a craft liqueur by forging new partnerships. And Jägermeister represents a foil to its hard-partying reputation.
  • Jameson Irish Whiskey: This Irish Whiskey is one of the best-selling malt beverage brands in the world. Founded by a Scottish legal clerk, the Jameson Distillery is the only one in operation today. It is located in the Cork region of Ireland. Find out if you can lay your hands on one.
  • Johnnie Walker Whisky: This is a proudly blended whisky brand in a sea of single malts. Johnnie Walker reportedly is one of the top-selling Scotch whisky brands in the world. Nonetheless, this blend was initially created in an effort to produce a more consistent Scotch variety.
  • Jinro Soju: A clear and neutral spirit distilled from rice, Jinro Soju is one of the top-selling spirit brands in the world. With just one makgeolli and nine soju offerings, it is consumed both straight and in cocktails. Jinro is the quintessential soju made in Korea. Jinro makes its signature in a green bottle along with an emblem of the spirit.
  • Khortytsa Vodka: In 2019, This Ukrainian vodka brand sold upwards of 176 million bottles in the local market alongside exporting it to more than 87 countries in 2019. The global reach of Khortytsa Vodka has placed the spirit among the top four best-selling vodka brands across the world.
  • McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration Rum: Owned by Diageo, McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration is the best-selling rum in India. More than 52 million cases of McDowell’s products are sold each year across the seven continents in 20 countries. McDowell’s, by volume, is the largest-selling spirits brand in the entire world. The No.1 Celebration is a type of dark rum that is aged in oak casks.
  • McDowell’s No.1 Whisky: It takes the cake in the whisky category. Diageo giant McDowell with its signature No.1 whisky variety lands at the number three spot in terms of popularity. And this icing is for the second year running. With a hint of oak, spice, and malt, the aroma in this whisky is honeyed by butterscotch and sweet grain spice.
  • Officer’s Choice Whisky: This is yet another Indian whisky composed of Scotch malt and Indian grain. Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD) as a parent debuted Officer’s Choice in 1988. And this whisky has seen its progressive growth in popularity through the decades. This malt beverage comes in an attractively designed and well-shaped bottle.
  • Royal Challenge: Indians consume more whisky than people from any other country in the world. And Royal Challenge beyond doubt is among the best-selling brands in the country. This whisky is Manufactured by United Spirits, yet another Diageo Group company, Royal Challenge is crafted with a passionate blend of imported Scotch and select Indian malts.
  • Royal Stag Whisky: This whisky is a member of the global beverage giant Pernod Ricard’s, It blends locally sourced grain spirits and imported Scotch malts. The Royal Stag whiskey is produced in Nepal. Although it is distributed globally but finds its largest consumer base in India.
  • Smirnoff Vodka: This is the most popular vodka brand in the world. And has long been recognized for its smooth taste and texture. Both flavored and unflavored varieties of Smirnoff are caught on across the globe. The flavored offerings Smirnoff and its Ice malt liquor soda have gelled well as a household name in both the vodka and ready-to-drink platforms.
  • Tanduay Rum: This Filipino rum brand is a hallmark of a rich and exotic rum heritage. And it has held onto the title of the world’s most popular rum for five consecutive years now. The taste of this malt beverage has been described by many as an excellent blend of tropical flavors and aged oak. Tanduay Rum is named after the location of its first distillery situated in Isla de Tanduay.
  • Tito’s Handmade Vodka: This is the original ‘craft’ vodka product from America. It is produced in Austin, Texas. Bert Tito Beveridge founded this brand in 1997. This Handmade Vodka is a corn-based malt beverage that still uses the old-fashioned pot stills for distillation. It is one of the youngest brands on this roundup. And to top it all, Tito is making an impressive list debut at the 15th spot this year.

Malt Benefits And Side Effects

There are many questions that come to your mind like what are malt benefits and side effects? Then Is malt vegan and gluten-free? Is it acidic or alkaline?

Here are the pros and cons of malt that you want to know…

Learn all about malt benefits and side effects. Including potential risks and malt benefits for your health. Only after learning if malts are good or bad, you will be able to make the best choices. 

Malt Benefits and Side Effects

Numerous benefits of malt include the following:

  • Improves digestive health.
  • Mental health improvement.
  • Helps generate a better mood.
  • Improves bone health.
  • Boosts immunity.
  • Improves gut health.
  • Improves heart health.
  • Nutrient absorption.
  • Regulates cholesterol levels.
  • Reduces belly and waist circumference fat, and BMI (Body Mass Index).

Side effects of malt may include:

  • Pesticide consumption if it is not organic.
  • Increased blood sugar levels when excessively consumed.
  • Gain weight if consumed excessively.
  • Chronic disease development – if consumed excessively.
  • Allergic reaction for those having an allergy to wheat.
  • Gluten reaction for those with celiac disease.

Malt Beverages vs. Beer

Both beer and malt liquor can be consumed straight. And you can notice the difference in their flavor profiles. Then, there are many other differences between the two. Nevertheless, some people also think malt liquor to be inferior to beer.

The main difference between the two is the alcohol content and the way these beverages are made. Moreover, beer can either be top-fermented or bottom-fermented. But malt liquor is always bottom-fermented.

Malt beverages generally have a higher alcoholic content when compared to beer. Malt alcohol often contains added sugar, corn, and/or other substances. The alcohol content in beer is usually less than five percent. Drinks that exceed this limit are called ale, lager, or malt liquor. Most often malt liquor has an alcohol content of over 12 percent.

Malt beverages typically lack the bitter taste that comes with beer. It is so because malt liquors are usually sweetened. And they also have a more spicy taste than beer. Beers are normally milder, and have a smoother flavor profile in comparison to malt liquor.

Some people also consider malt liquor to be an inferior type of beer, just because it is sold in larger bottle sizes. Beer is sold in 12-ounce bottle sizes while malt beverages are sold in 40-ounce bottle sizes. Malt liquor is also cheaper than beer. Moreover, you can get drunk more quickly with malt liquor than with beer.