Although the two terms have been used interchangeably in the past, beer is the catch-all term for the category, with ale a specific type of beer. Real ales are brewed differently to other types of beer, using different yeasts and temperatures. Ale has its own unique taste as a result.

Beer is typically made from barley, hops, water, and yeast, although some beers are made from wheat instead of barley. This means that most beers do contain gluten, although more gluten-free options are beginning to make their way to the shelves.

Most beers start life as barley. The barley is malted and combined with hot water to create a mixture known as ‘wort’. Hops are then added, and the liquid mix is boiled. Then, yeast is added to ferment the beer in a process that releases carbon dioxide, giving beer its fizzy taste. The beer is then bottled, canned or kegged, and is kept chilled in a fridge before it is purchased by the customer.

There are 1.7 units in a standard 330ml bottle of beer, and 2.4 units in a standard 440ml can. The number of units in a pint of beer can vary, depending on the strength of the beer - usually, it’s somewhere between 2 and 4 units, but every pint is different. Always check the label of your bottle or can to see how many units are in your beer before drinking.

When you buy beer, you should ideally get it in the fridge as soon as possible to keep it nice and chilled until you’re ready to drink it. If there’s no space in your fridge, try to store your beer below room temperature, if possible. A cool, dark spot out of direct sunlight is the next best option after the fridge.

All beer has an expiration date, and it can develop a distinct ‘gone off’ taste over time. Drink your beer before the best before date to prevent this. If the date has passed, keep your beers in the fridge to extend their shelf life, and avoid drinking them more than 6 months after the expiry date. Bear in mind that beers stored at room temperature will go off faster.

If you have consumed some out-of-date beer, there’s no need to panic, as beer is fermented during the brewing process, so it shouldn’t make you ill. It might taste nasty though, especially if you’re drinking it over 6 months past its expiration date. Order beer online to replenish your stocks so you don’t have to endure that experience again.

The best beer for making a shandy depends on your preferred taste - there are two camps: bitter shandy or lager shandy. For the most refreshing drink on a summer’s day, we recommend filling your pint glass halfway with a light lager or wheat beer, before topping it up with lemonade. Heaven.

There are so many brilliant low and no-alcohol beers available now that the answer to ‘what’s the best?’ comes down to personal preference. You might want to stick with what you know and go for a 0% ABV Becks or Budweiser, or you might want to try something a little bit different like Brewdog’s Alcohol-Free Punk IPA. Check out our full selection of low and no-alcohol beers, as well as our delicious range of soft drinks.

Yes, brands are increasingly releasing gluten-free beers, and we stock several at The Bottle Club. Check out the Brewdog Gluten-Free Punk IPA or Siren’s Lumina Gluten-Free Session IPA.