Corn Beer: Where To Buy This Seasonal Treat

Corn beer is a style of beer made from corn (maize). It is a traditional beverage in various cuisines, with the best-known corn beer, Chicha, being widespread in the Andes. Corn beer has pre-Incan origins, with archaeological evidence suggesting that elite women were responsible for brewing in the Wari culture (600 to 1000 AD). In 1796, John Boston created a corn beer, the first fermented alcohol beverage commercially produced in Sydney, Australia. Today, corn beer is available from a variety of sources, including specialist online retailers.

Corn beer in the Andes

Corn beer, also known as Chicha, is a traditional beverage with pre-Incan origins. It is widespread in the Andes and is considered the quintessential South American native corn beer. Chicha is made from fermented corn and was once fermented with saliva, although now malted barley is used. It is said to taste like sour beer.

Chicha is popular in Peru and can be found in the towns and villages of the Andes, particularly during the holidays. It is also served in Arequipa's picanterías. In the Sacred Valley area, a glass of Chicha costs around USD $0.20. Chicha is also the name of a corn beer made by the Tarahumara people of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. It is brewed for local celebrations related to Holy Week and is considered a sacred beverage.

Chicha has a long history in the Andes, with archaeological evidence suggesting that it was discovered around 5000 BC. Evidence of early pottery and vessels used to grind corn and store Chicha have been found in the Andes and around Machu Picchu. There is also evidence that elite women were responsible for brewing Chicha in the Wari culture (600 to 1000 AD).

Chicha is typically homebrewed by locals through a series of methodical steps involving the germination of jora, a type of yellow corn. Jora is a revered crop in the Andes due to its life-sustaining attributes. Chicha was once a sacred drink of the Incas and was often reserved for cherished ceremonies.

Chicha

Corn beer is also made by the Tarahumara people of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico, where it is known as Tesguino. It is brewed for local celebrations related to Holy Week and is considered a sacred beverage.

In 1796, John Boston created a corn beer, the first fermented alcohol beverage commercially produced in Sydney, Australia. A recipe for corn beer appears in *Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests, Medical, Economical, and Agricultural* (1863) by Francis Peyre Porcher. Italian beers Peroni and Nastro Azzuro are made from maize and barley malt, while KEO beer from Cyprus is also made with maize, giving it a characteristically bitter taste.

John Boston's corn beer

Corn beer is a style of beer made from corn (maize). It is a traditional beverage in various cuisines, with the best-known corn beer, Chicha, being widespread in the Andes and local varieties of corn beer existing elsewhere.

A recipe for corn beer appears in *Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests, Medical, Economical, and Agricultural* (1863) by Francis Peyre Porcher. This book may have been a source of inspiration for John Boston's corn beer, or it may have been created after the fact as a way to pay homage to the historic beverage.

Today, corn beer is still enjoyed in various parts of the world, with local varieties existing outside of the Andes. It is a unique and historic beverage with a rich cultural heritage.

Flaked corn

Corn beer is a traditional beverage in various cuisines. Chicha is the best-known corn beer and is widespread in the Andes. Local varieties of corn beer exist elsewhere, such as in Australia, Italy, Cyprus and Mexico.

The use of flaked corn in beer brewing has a long history. In the Wari culture (600 to 1000 AD), elite women were responsible for brewing corn beer. Corn beer was also the first fermented alcohol beverage commercially produced in Sydney, Australia, in 1796 by John Boston.

Today, flaked corn is widely available for purchase online and in brewing supply stores. It is a popular ingredient for home brewers and craft brewers alike, as it is easy to use and can enhance the flavour and body of beer.

Tesguino

Corn beer is a style of beer made from corn (maize). It is a traditional beverage in various cuisines. The best-known corn beer is Chicha, which is widespread in the Andes and has pre-Incan origins. Corn beer is also popular in Peru and is served in Arequipa's picanterías.

One variety of corn beer is Tesguino, which is made by the Tarahumara people of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. It is brewed for local celebrations related to Holy Week. For the Tarahumara, the beer is an elixir for healing and a barter item, and is considered a sacred beverage.

Corn beer can be made using flaked corn, which is sourced in the USA and can be used to add sweetness and body to the beer. It is particularly good for American-style lagers and ales. Corn can also be used to boost the alcohol content without altering the taste.

Brewers malt corn (flaked maize) is also used to lighten the colour and body of beer, and is available from MoreBeer.

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