After a long day of hard work, there’s nothing quite like unwinding with colleagues at an office happy hour. It not only offers a chance to relax and socialize, but there are also other benefits of an office happy hour that can generally improve the working environment.
In this article, we’ll explore the exciting advantages of an office happy hour and how it can enhance team spirit, foster connections, and improve productivity. So, grab a drink (of your choice) and let’s dive in!
1) Building Stronger Relationships
An office happy hour provides the perfect opportunity for team members to bond and build stronger relationships outside the formal work environment. Breaking away from daily tasks and deadlines, colleagues can engage in casual conversations, share stories, and get to know each other on a more personal level.
This camaraderie fosters a sense of belonging, trust, and teamwork, which can have a positive impact on collaboration and overall office dynamics.
2) Boosting Morale and Employee Engagement
After a challenging week or a successfully completed project, a well-deserved office happy hour can do wonders for morale. It serves as a reward for hard work and acknowledges employees’ contributions, boosting their motivation and job satisfaction.
By providing a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, happy hour events create a sense of appreciation and encourage employees to feel more engaged with their work and the company as a whole.
3) Enhancing Communication and Collaboration
During a typical workday, formal meetings and structured interactions can limit open communication. However, an office happy hour encourages a more relaxed and informal atmosphere where employees can freely exchange ideas and thoughts.
This open dialogue fosters better communication, leading to improved collaboration and creativity. Fresh perspectives and insights gained during happy hour conversations can have a direct positive impact on problem-solving and innovation within the workplace.
4) Stress Relief and Work-Life Balance
Work-related stress can take a toll on productivity and employee well-being. An office happy hour provides a much-needed break from work-related pressures, allowing employees to unwind, recharge, and de-stress.
Taking time to relax and socialize with colleagues fosters a healthier work-life balance, which ultimately leads to increased job satisfaction and better overall mental health.
5) Networking and Professional Development
An office happy hour offers an informal setting for networking and professional development opportunities. It allows employees to connect with colleagues from different departments, enabling cross-team collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Additionally, happy hour events often provide a chance to interact with managers and higher-level executives in a more relaxed setting, potentially leading to mentorship opportunities and career growth prospects.
The Bottom Line
Office happy hours are more than just a chance to enjoy a refreshing drink and unwind. They offer a multitude of benefits for both individuals and the organization as a whole. By fostering stronger relationships, boosting morale and engagement, enhancing communication, providing stress relief, and facilitating networking opportunities, office happy hours contribute to a positive work environment and improved productivity.
So, why not raise a glass and embrace the power of an office happy hour? It may be just what you need to improve the employee experience and take your business to the next level!
Interested in hosting happy hour right in the office? We’d be happy to stock your bar! Click here to get in touch with Office Libations, and get started with us today.
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While many people may not have even considered it in the past, non-alcoholic beer has become something of a trend lately. Yes, you read that correctly: an increasing number of people have been drinking – and enjoying – their share of non-alcoholic beer. In fact, research shows that beer with no or low alcohol content is one of the fastest growing segments within the industry, increasing by a staggering 96% in the past year alone.
Indeed, non-alcoholic beer certainly seems to be having its moment here in 2022. The only question is, will it last? Let’s explore why this has become a trend in the first place, and whether it will be enough to keep people interested.
It’s Better Than Ever
This is perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the trend – alcoholic beer actually tastes good now! This is largely due to changes in the technology and methods used to brew a buzzless beer. For example, innovations in filtration and vacuum evaporation have allowed brewers to remove most of the alcohol from the beer without compromising its flavour.
And with so many breweries jumping on the non-alcoholic bandwagon, there’s also a ton of variety. If you don’t like the taste of one, two, or even five brands, then there’s almost certainly another you can try. Indeed, there is probably a non-alcoholic beer that will suit just about every beer drinkers’ tastes out there, and further innovation in the field will likely see this trend continuing in the future.
The “Sober Curious” Movement
The book Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington goes into the various health benefits associated with consuming less alcohol, and this may have been taken to heart by the younger generations. Millennials and Gen Zers have already been drinking less alcohol than their older counterparts, with Millennials also being more likely to engage in Dry January. This could explain the increase in non-alcoholic beer consumption, as they may want something with the taste of beer without all the alcohol.
While the spotlight may be on the young adults spearheading the sober curious movement, people in general seem to be more conscious of what they’re putting into their bodies these days. Restaurants and food manufacturers have certainly noticed, and that’s why you may have seen an increase in nutritious options on menus and at the grocery store. Considering the potential negative impact of alcohol on both physical and mental health, it makes sense that so many people are cutting back. As long as people keep up with this generally health-conscious mindset, then the non-alcoholic beer trend will likely continue right along with it.
The Stigma is Gone – or At Least, Less
Hard to believe as it may seem, there was a point in time when it was embarrassing to be seen drinking a non-alcoholic beer. People would actually make fun of you for making a healthier choice! The stigma would be enough to turn anyone off of non-alcoholic beer, even if they did prefer it to the regular stuff.
These days, however, people don’t seem to care as much on either side of the issue. Regular beer drinkers are becoming increasingly tolerant of the idea, and many non-alcoholic beer drinkers don’t really care what they think anyway. As non-alcoholic beer continues to become more socially acceptable, there’s a good chance that this trend will be here to stay.
Thinking of getting some non-alcoholic beer for the office? Contact Office Libations today to see how we can help!
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I know what you’re thinking: a keg? In the office? Is that really a thing?
It is! Web companies especially have been known to keep various kinds of drinks on tap around the office, and this trend is slowly starting to make its way to other industries as well. Granted, it may not seem like the greatest thing for productivity when you first think about it, but if no one is getting sloshed on the job (and no one wants to be that person at work!), then there can be some real benefits to having an office kegerator.
Don’t believe me? Here’s why you should put a keg in your office.
Alcohol Improves Creative Problem Solving
While this may be something that many have already suspected, it turns out that there is some science behind this idea. Research shows that intoxicated individuals may be better at creative problem solving than those who are sober. Of course, they cannot be completely drunk, but introducing some alcohol to employees who are having a tough time with a problem may encourage them to think outside the box, which may ultimately result in increased productivity.
Encourages a More Cohesive Workforce
A keg may be just what your office needs to encourage your staff to bond with each other, especially if they’re from different departments. It gives them a place to get together, relax, and blow off a little steam. Alcohol can also help people let their guard down a bit and increase their confidence in social situations, making it more likely that even the quietest members of your team will engage in a keg-fueled bonding session.
Though it may not seem like it’s the most productive use of time, it’s important to allow your staff this chance to connect and get to know each other better. Improved relationships between employees often result in a more trusting, engaged workforce that is willing to collaborate on problems and decisions, which can improve efficiency around the office.
It Shows that You Trust Your Staff
Even if you have employees in the office who don’t drink, they will still likely appreciate the fact that they have the option. No one wants to be stuck in a place full of rigid rules and restrictions, especially when they don’t really have anything to do with the job at hand. Your employees are not children, so there’s no reason to treat them that way.
A keg full of an alcoholic beverage can be seen as a symbol of trust from an employer, demonstrating to employees that you trust them to make their own choices and use their best judgment in any given situation. Showing this level of respect to your workers can make them feel more comfortable at work and more confident in their place there, which can provide a nice boost to morale.
It Doesn’t Have to be Alcohol
If you are totally against introducing alcohol into the workplace, then you may still want to consider bringing in a keg full of a non-alcoholic beverage instead, like cold brew coffee. You won’t get all the same benefits that alcohol has to offer, but you can still bring your employees together and show your appreciation for them with an alcohol-free alternative.
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/pexels-pavel-danilyuk-5858069.jpg427640Alvinhttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngAlvin2021-12-27 09:55:572021-12-21 06:56:28Why You Should Put a Keg in Your Office
Breaks are an essential part of employee productivity. Chaining yourself to a desk or scarfing down your lunch in your cubicle isn’t a recipe for success – it’s a recipe for disaster.
In fact, research suggests that taking a break helps employees destress and recharge for the rest of the workday. Otherwise, overworked employees often deal with chronic stress that can lead tojob burnout. While this not only negatively affects employee health and well-being, it negatively affects the bottom line, too.
This is why before you send your employees off to the broom closet for their morning coffee you might want to think twice because the break room might be the most important room your company has.
The Office Break Room
Is the break room really that important? Absolutely! Office break rooms can serve numerous functions and should be customized to meet the unique needs of employees.
In the modern workplace, it’s crucial to build an inspiring, supportive atmosphere. Hence, these spaces should give employees a place to escape to when stress is simply getting the best of them, helping them to feel better supported.
The benefits of office break areas are also widespread — the break room draws people out of their offices and cubicles, and provides a central gathering place for employees to interact with one another face to face.
Sometimes having a safe area to unwind is all it takes for an individual to recharge and get the extra boost of energy needed to increase workplace productivity, performance and job satisfaction.
On that note, jazzing up your office break room and making it a happy place for employees should be a no-brainer. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of all the fundamental components!
Healthy Snack Bar
This is an example of a snack bar we provide one of our clients. If you’d like to learn about setting up snacks for your office, contact us via this site or message us here.
Creating a snack bar with healthy food items can help give employees the pick-me-up they need on their breaks. Not only is offering free snacks to employees a great workplace perk, but it also can help them stay productive.
A study showed that eating healthy snacks made employees feel more creative, happier, and engaged. It goes to show that the foods with which your employees choose to fuel their bodies will, of course, have a dramatic effect on how they are able to perform at work.
Additionally, snacks are a tool for stress release and enhanced focus. Therefore, you should always stock your office break room with an array of healthy options. And by offering something a little better than regular old potato chips, you can ensure you’re providing your employees with ingredients that promote energy and wellness.
So, set out fresh fruit for an afternoon snack, prepare veggie toasts, or offer guilt-free snacks like nuts or chickpeas. To help you out, here’s our ultimate guide to healthy office snacks.
What’s the perfect way to switch off and let your mind rest during your workday? It’s usually sitting down with a nice cup of warm tea or coffee or if it’s a hot day, with a refreshing cold drink to quench your thirst!
Therefore, your office break room should include quality drinks for your employees to show you care for them. From the water cooler to the coffee pot to various beverages on tap, you’ll ensure that your employees will always have something to wet their whistle during their downtime.
Moreover, many modern workplaces have embraced the trend of making free beer available in their break rooms. But is drinking at work really such a good idea? If you’re still up in the air about it, read: The 7 Benefits Of Having Drinks In The Office
Whatever your preference may be for your workplace, pulling on a lever to release a cool stream of a refreshing drink can keep your employees happy, healthy, and on track. Even the promise of an ice-cold brew at the close of business can be enough to push through a rough day… I know this one from experience!
The key to a good break room is comfort. It means that much of the value of a dedicated break area within an office setting is lost if it does not at least provide some measure of comfort. So it is important to choose furniture and seating options which provide this.
Stepping away from the stiff, conventional office environment into one with a more homely feel will allow your employees to better disconnect from the pressures of the working day and make better use of such relaxation zones.
Provide adequate tables and chairs so they can leisurely eat, but also provide couches or cushions where they can lounge out in front of the TV on their lunch break and really relax. This is an area of the office where creative and inviting furniture can make a huge difference. Creating a space where your employees can put up their feet, relax, and veg out for a few minutes is essential in clearing the mind.
This comfy lounging is a great addition to a chill area in your break room. It will ensure that more people are spending time away from their desk and in a different environment.
Storage and Lockers
The office surroundings have a huge impact on stress levels and well-being of your employees. Thus, taking the time to clear surfaces, remove stuff that is visually distracting, and throw away rubbish can turn a stressful workplace serene; it can also have a great impact on reducing stress in your workplace.
You can make it possible by providing your employees with adequate storage space in your office break room. In that way, it helps ensure that they can keep their workspaces neat and organized which will help your employees focus better as mess and clutter can be distracting for anyone.
Furthermore, your employees need a place to store their stuff. Whether you want to provide each individual member of your team with their own personal storage locker, or you want to install basic cubbies, just make sure you’re giving your workers a place where they can easily and safely store their personal items.
Entertainment
In order for a break to be enough time to actually take the mind off of work, it’s important to provide other means of mental stimulation or entertainment for your busy employees. For example, installing a TV in your company’s break room will allow your employees to zone out and re-center their minds.
You may assume that such entertainment systems would serve as little more than a distraction and actually have a negative impact on work performance. However, their stress-relieving credentials make them a particular asset for employees when used in moderation. They allow worn-out employees to take their minds off that daunting workload for a short time.
Additionally, playing games or activities can be a great way to encourage employees to bond and connect. Make your break room more exciting and engaging for employees by adding some recreation activities.
Employees will naturally seek out activities on their breaks, so why not give them an opportunity to improve their skills? If you’d like to include a more productive option than game boards or TVs, consider lining the room with bookshelves. Fill these with different skill-based books, magazines, or newspapers that your team might find interesting.
In that way, you’ll promote learning and development at your organization. The world may be becoming increasingly digitalized, but there is still value to be found in a good old-fashioned book.
Further, well-written reading material will allow employees to escape from the stresses of their working day. Given the more mentally-active nature of reading as compared to watching visual media such as televised programming, such activities will also help to keep the mind engaged and allow an employee to be more productive after this short respite.
Be sure to include a range of topics, genres, and styles in order to cater to the differing tastes of the workforce at large. Remember that no one is too old to learn something new or escape into a fictional story.
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Workout Equipment
While some like nothing more than to sit and unwind during their breaks, others prefer to take an active approach. For those employees, suitable workout equipment in your break room will be a highly-valued addition.
According to a study, physical activity has been shown to boost cognitive stimulation and mental performance, and as such those who engage in exercise during their breaks may actually experience an uptick in productivity as a result, rather than becoming less effective due to fatigue as many may expect.
Forget the traditional vision of what a break room should look like and introduce daily exercise to the workplace. Your employees and business will experience an amazing positive change.
Taste Of Outdoors
Although not widely practiced, the idea of working outdoors or among natural elements is emerging among workplace designers and a number of companies. At the same time, a growing body of research is showing what many of us intuitively know: being in the outdoors does wonders for our minds and bodies.
In the book Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life, the author said that connecting with nature is essential to our well-being and our ability to be productive and high-functioning at work. Nature often has a positive impact on the mind and body, making us more alert and inspired.
Therefore, you should channel the outdoors in your office break room through Biophilic design. This will help workers feel psychologically and physically healthier while sparking creativity and inspiration, improving their moods.
In addition, allow natural lighting and fresh air in through a cracked window or two. According to a recent study, people who work in offices lacking windows experience decreased vitality, lower quality of life-related to physical problems, and increased daytime dysfunction.
All in all, through a combination of encouraging people to get as much fresh air as possible, including mother nature in the design, and making it a pleasant environment to relax, you could reduce the risk of your employees suffering burnout.
Quiet Rooms
On the flip side, not everyone wants to socialize on their breaks. Some employees prefer quiet rooms. If they can’t get that distraction-free time to process their thoughts, productivity and morale will suffer.
Try adding quiet rooms to your office break room. This will help introverted employees who are interested in mindfulness and meditation can rest and recharge. These are spaces that promote peaceful atmospheres to help employees manage their stress and well-being.
The best quiet rooms feature dim lighting so that employees can close their eyes; couches or reclining chairs to rest on, or soundproof walls to reduce noise levels.
Employees will feel appreciated if they know they have a place to meditate, read, or take a cat nap. A small amount of “me time” goes a long way. Plus, employees who feel appreciated are more productive.
Recognition Board
Employee recognition isn’t rocket science – it is an obvious thing to do. When employees and their work are valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. This motivates them to maintain or improve their good work. Praise and recognition are essential to an outstanding workplace.
So think of ways to get your staff on the walls. Examples include Shout-out boards, Encouragement Notes, Employee of the Month, Facility Awards, or even Team Photos. The placement of the recognition board is critical to the success of your program. If no one sees it, it doesn’t work. That’s why you should post it on the office break room where employees frequently visit.
Lastly, employee recognition has a huge communication component! Companies that often implement a formal employee recognition program to reward productivity encourage employee retention. Just remember that once you display your recognition board, keep the board updated. No one likes old, forgotten information on a bulletin board.
There you have it!
To guarantee your employees are getting what they need out of their breaks, it helps to make sure your office is supplied with all the components that make up a great break room.
The truth is, every workplace is different and every team has different interests. If you’re really keen to make your break room a place that everyone enjoys, then you need to ask your coworkers what they would like to see in it.
That being said, there are a few key items that can really take your break room to the next level. When it comes to creating a great break room that really shows your appreciation for your employees’ hard work, do your best to separate it from the workspace as much as possible. The office might be quiet and hyper-focused, so create an atmosphere that’s loose and fun.
By providing your employees with a way to turn work off their minds for a few minutes, you’ll give them the opportunity to de-stress, refresh their mental state, and come back to work ready to give it their all.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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Employee well-being is a buzz phrase we’ve heard for years, but how many of us actually achieve it? Well, many smart employers emphasize that the key feature of a comfy workspace, of course, is a well-stocked kitchen that includes office drinks.
Today, it’s true that the ways in which employees choose to wet their whistle have come a long way. From the water cooler to the coffee pot to various beverages on tap, companies are developing new ways to provide the best for their most important resource – their employees.
So, does your company provide quality drinks to your employees? If not, there are multiple options and trends you can offer to show your care for them. Pulling on a lever to release a cool stream of a refreshing drink can keep employees happy and on track.
If you’re looking to ramp up your beverage offerings, here are 10 office drink trends (non-alcoholic to alcoholic) to keep in mind when building your beverage program.
1. Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
As one of the trendiest coffee drinks on the market, nitro cold brew coffee first made a splash in third-wave coffee shops across the country and quickly became a favorite among coffee aficionados.
It is infused with nitrogen gas that is released through a pressurized valve with tiny holes. The high pressure forces the cold brew past a disc, creating a creamy, stout-like effect in the cold brew.
With the rise in demand for cold coffee, associated with the recent heat waves across the nation, Nitro Cold Brew Coffee is becoming a much more popular choice for coffee drinkers.
This could also serve as a perfect office drink as it has found a real fan base among the health-conscious market. Naturally sweet and rich, Nitro feels like an indulgence. It’s creamy like an iced latte, but dairy-free and has roughly five calories for a standard 12-ounce beverage.
Bulletproof coffee has been catching on for a few years now. This drink trend is getting a new influx of attention especially among coffee enthusiasts and religious coffee connoisseurs because of the health benefits it claims.
It’s said to improve metabolism and promote weight loss, and can also have a massive impact on your energy and cognitive function. But what’s in it?
Bulletproof coffee is a drink that combines coffee, oil, and butter. It is a creamy coffee served warm and looks similar to a latte. It typically blends a cup of black coffee with 1 to 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter and 1 to 2 tablespoons of something called medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, a type of easily digested fat.
The basic science behind the recipe is to provide energy through the coffee and essential fats to the brain for a balanced, non-jittery boost that lasts for hours. So in order to combat mental exhaustion in your workplace, this blend is definitely worth considering!
Cold-pressed Juice refers to beverages that use a hydraulic press to extract the fruits and vegetables’ natural flavors and essences. These drinks have been in production for several decades but started to gain popularity in the late 2000s as a way to support juice cleanses.
Several companies claim Cold Pressed Juices are healthier than regular juice, bought from the cold section in the supermarket, due to the way the juice is extracted. But one clear benefit of Cold-pressed Juices, which makes it live up to the hype, is that these natural fruit and vegetable drinks are 100% organic and glucose-free.
So if you want to promote a healthier diet in your office, these ready-to-drink cold-pressed juices do the trick!
Kombucha has long been a player in the organic industry; taking the health-and-wellness world by storm. It is a lightly effervescent beverage that is made through the fermentation process. It is produced by fermenting tea, typically black or green, using a colony of bacteria and yeast called a “SCOBY.”
The hype surrounding the beverage can be attributed to its oddly addicting taste and its surprising health benefit claims. From being a potential source of probiotics to its claim to promote weight loss, this fizzy drink is definitely something your employees will love.
Further, kombucha has become a staple of many people’s diets due to its ability to supply much-needed energy and vitality. Plus, it comes with the added benefits of nutrients and good bacteria to keep the gut health in check.
Therefore, it may help your employees have a healthier lifestyle and can be a healthier alternative to sugary drinks. If you’re interested to know more about it, check out our previous article about the Surprising Health Benefits Of Kombucha.
5. Organic Tea
Similar to coffee, there is a continued trend of tea as a healthy beverage. In fact, the demand for organic beverages, particularly coffee and tea, is rising as more consumers have become more focused on their health. Hence, organic teas have only become more popular as the years go by.
Organic tea also benefited from its presence in mainstream grocery stores with the major conventional tea players embracing the trend. Today, the four main types of organic teas include black, green, oolong and white teas.
In addition, one of the main reasons people opt for organic tea over conventionally grown tea is that organic tea is better and the safest choice. Organic tea agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and good quality of life for all involved. These practices are reflected in the flavor of the tea, and better nutritional content.
Without a doubt, organic tea is a great treat for your employees’ body and soul. A great selection of organic green tea, matcha, loose leaf tea, black tea, mint and more allows them to try the greatest flavors nature has to offer!
This newest trend in the alcohol world is the perfect drink of choice for fitness conscious employees or anyone else looking for that alternative “healthy” happy hour drink of choice.
Its popularity comes from the fact that it’s an alcoholic beverage that gets you buzzed, has low carb counts, and still manages to taste crisp and refreshing. It’s no wonder hard seltzer is a libation your employees will definitely love!
Unlike a vodka soda or gin and tonic, the alcohol in most hard seltzer brands come from fermented sugars. So, when your employees crack open a can of seltzer during the workday, they’re just drinking fermented sweetened seltzer– and that could be a good thing for their health and waistline!
This bubbly drink has taken over parties and offices in the past years and is a lighter, healthier alcoholic drink. If you want to know more about this trendy beverage, check out our previous Hard Seltzer article!
The best part? Recently, hard seltzer has even become available in kegs, so you can get your guilt-free fizzy buzz straight off the tap!
Something’s been brewing in the last couple of years. A small, tight-knit community of craft brewers have made their way into different bars, pubs, shelves, and the taste buds of Americans.
Using hand-selected ingredients, Brewmasters meticulously perfect their craft beer. Every single ingredient is chosen with certain flavor characteristics in mind and brewed with the end goal of a delicious, flavorful, quality beer.
To put it simply, to earn the “craft beer” title, breweries must maintain three qualities: small, independent, traditional. Also, despite what you may have heard, San Francisco was the birthplace of the craft beer movement.
Thanks to the craft beer boom from a few years ago, breweries in the city are thriving more than ever. In fact, there are over 30 craft breweries in SF proper that belong to the San Francisco Brewers Guild. It’s a solid reason alone to shop locally when building your office beverage program.
Unless you’re living under a rock, you know that the domestic beer scene has always been on fire! If you picture your favorite bar happy hour special, then you have an idea of what a domestic beer is.
Basically, there are two requirements to fall under what’s called “domestic beer.” First, it needs to be produced in America, and second, it needs to be produced in one of the large breweries. About 85% of beer sales in America are domestic.
These household names have brewed beer for decades, and provide a consistent taste and quality for those who enjoy them. If you’re watching your waistline, the top domestic beer brands all have options with 150 calories or less per 12 oz. serving, and 5 grams of carbs or less. And just like craft beer, this can also be served on tap for your employees.
Another drink on the list that is growing and becoming more popular is Hard Cider. Cider has gained lots of fans from drinkers who dislike beer, but anyone can enjoy this fruity drink.
It has an alcoholic content similar to that of beer, with most ciders ranging from 4.5 to 10 percent ABV. Both the cider and beer categories include a few outliers that contain even higher alcohol content.
Unless otherwise specified, hard cider is made from pure apple juice. So it offers the same health benefits the juice does. Hard cider, like unfermented juice, contains plenty of vitamin C and a considerable number of antioxidants. Traditional hard cider is also gluten-free. These benefits can make this drink the next favorite beverage in your office!
Wineries have dabbled in alternative packaging over the past few decades, including the trend of canned wine! Once considered a novelty, cans have burst into the mainstream, enticing various wine drinkers to pop the tab with their easy-drinking style, convenient packaging, and value.
Casual and serious wine drinkers alike are also turning to cans as an alternative to traditional bottled packaging. Sales of canned wine are soaring in the US, as consumers become more open-minded to alternative packaging format for wine.
Millennials searching for a casual drink are a driving force for canned wine. Drinking out of a can is much more casual than using a corkscrew and pouring into a glass.
This modern packaging of wines can easily make its way into your office. Not only will your employees perceive wine with practicality, simplicity, and convenience, the non-beer-drinkers will no longer feel left out during the office happy hour.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that people need breaks during their day. If breaks are necessary for a healthy work environment — and if employees are going to take breaks anyway — isn’t it wise for a company to offer positive internal ways for their employees to take a break?
If you want to provide exciting perks to your employees and make your company a better place in the process, why not show it? Coffee, kombucha, tea, beers, and cold-pressed juice on-tap can do just that.
It is a pretty safe bet that if you work in an office or any other professional setting, a major workplace perk is the bevy of refreshments offered to employees. And if you still haven’t fully embraced the office drinking culture, it’s totally fine. Every work culture is different and there are still plenty of non-alcoholic drinks to choose from.
Just remember that there is a new workforce out there! New employees are coming to expect the kind of treatment they see in their friend’s workplaces and in the media. So consider toasting to the trendiest office drinks and see how much employees will fall in love with their jobs!
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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While there are tons of different types of beers, none seem to be more popular in the craft beer world than the IPA. Whether you’re a fan or not, you may have heard a bit about it and maybe you’re wondering what all the fuss is about.
IPA stands for India Pale Ale, and is one of the most popular craft beer styles– thanks to its bold, bitter, and fruity hop flavor. It seems like every craft brewery has their own take on the style, but what exactly is IPA?
In this guide, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about the IPA, from vocabulary and history to styles from different places.
First Off, Let’s Define What Pale Ale Is
As craft beer continues to grow in sheer numbers, as well as style diversity, it’s the perfect time to look back on the pale ale— a popular style of beer known to be hop-forward with a malty flavor and a golden to amber color. Like many beer styles, pale ale resulted from innovation in brewing technology.
For decades, it was the norm for every American craft brewery to offer its own signature pale ale recipe as a part of a core lineup. Clearly, this is the style that inspired the American craft beer scene, and there’s a good reason for that.
Additionally, pale ales are those beers that bridge the gap between dark stouts and light lagers. They have all the flavors you want but are not too heavy. You’ll never be bored by this style as there is a great array of pale ales to explore.
Introduction to India Pale Ale
An India Pale Ale is a much more hoppy beer. It has floral, earthy, citrusy, piney, fruity, and yes, bitter flavor notes. So at its origin, the IPA was a more intense version of the Pale Ale and characterized by an abundance of hops.
On that note, it has a higher level of Alcohol by Volume (ABV) between 5.5 and 7.5%, and International Bittering Units (IBU) between 30 and 50, thus making it stronger and more bitter. The use of more hops throughout the brewing process imparts this extra bitterness into the beer.
In many ways, that is still an accurate description today but it’s not that easy. The term IPA has been used to describe a wide variety of modern craft beers. That alone makes this a complicated topic. To shed more light on India Pale Ale, let’s dig into the history and its different styles to better understand the slight differences…
A Brief History Of The IPA Beer Style
First of all, IPAs are not beers specifically brewed in or from India. The story behind the exact birth of the IPA beer style is often debated, but most agree that what became later known as IPA was pale ale prepared for shipment to India in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
It was said to be the answer to the problem of providing beer for the British Empire in the east. It was too hot to brew in India, so what was needed was a beer that could survive the grueling six-month journey from Britain intact.
Hops, a natural preservative, were added in greater number to the grist and brewed to a higher strength to aid the transport to India. With more hops comes a higher alcohol content too – so these tend to not only be a bit more bitter than a pale ale, but they also have more carbonation and a lot more dominating flavors from the hops.
The beer not only survived the journey but had improved immeasurably. This was the prototype IPA; the beer gradually became paler and more refreshing to suit the Indian climate.
IPAs gained popularity in the United States in the 1970s and the style underwent a craft beer rediscovery in the 1980s. Modern examples are inspired by classic versions, but shouldn’t be assumed to have an unbroken lineage with the exact same profile.
Today, breweries have sprung up in more locations. Refrigeration was invented. The original hurdles IPA needed to clear were no longer an issue. IPA has stuck around and gathered its own pack of diehard fans.
Brewing An IPA
IPA is a hoppy, fairly strong pale ale traditionally brewed with English malt, hops and yeast. Hops dominate the flavor of an IPA, so careful selection of the hop additions is critical to success.
Traditional English IPAs use popular English hops such as Fuggles, Goldings, Northdown, Target, though sometimes use noble hops in finishing. Higher alpha English hops are also popular for bittering. American IPAs use the rough American equivalents such as Cascade, Centennial, or Willamette, though again use higher alpha hops in bittering.
Multiple hop additions are almost always used for IPAs including bittering hops at the beginning of the boil, often several additions of finishing hops in the last 5-15 minutes of the boil, and dry hops to provide a hoppy aroma.
Brewers are also making sure that there is a balance in the beer’s flavor. Higher alcohol percent reacts differently with the hops than IPA with lower alcohol percentage. Also, high alcohol adds body and perceived sweetness to a beer. For the bitterness, brewers use a formula to calculate the actual bitterness of a beer based on the hops used and their alpha acid content. An average IPA will have approximately 40 – 60 IBU’s, with a high IBU level around the 100 – 120 mark.
Lastly, IPAs are fermented and stored at the traditional ale temperatures, usually, around the mid 60’s F. Long storage periods are sometimes required to achieve the proper hop-malt balance.
Different Styles Of IPAs
One of the many wonderful things about craft beer is its ability to reinvent. With almost unlimited ingredients, beer has an almost unlimited ability to change. This has resulted in various kinds of IPA, all as radically different as other styles are to each other. So here is our guide to the complex world of IPAs.
English IPA
The one that started it all and the roots from which all other IPA’s have stemmed. Traditionally they are golden brown in color and exclusively use British hops. It is a hoppy, moderately-strong, very well-attenuated pale British ale with a dry finish and a hoppy aroma and flavor. Classic British ingredients provide the best flavor profile. Expect grassy and earthy notes with some mild citrus character. Typically you’ll find them at 6-7% ABV with a crisp body and bone dry finish.
American West Coast IPA
The West Coast IPA was the beginning of the fruity hop explosion. This style gets credit for exploring the rowdy, fruity flavors in hops, while shedding some of the bitterness. The bitterness balances with an exceptionally clean, crisp body, higher carbonation, and big tropical fruit notes.
An invention of the Golden State, this California born IPA is also golden in color with clear clarity. Brewers of these hop bombs back down on the malt and go full-throttle on the hop flavor. West Coast IPA takes its inspiration from British IPAs and American hops. Its use of cascade, citra, and chinook give it a huge citrus aroma, verging on pine and slightly dank, weed-like smells too.
Additionally, these beers are also usually a little less dry because they often use crystal malt, but significantly more bitter, sometimes topping 80 IBUs which is about as much as the human palate can sense.
American East Coast IPA
The east coast IPA—more specifically the “Northeast” or “New England-style” IPA—has become the preeminent breed of IPA. When craft beer started to gain popularity in America, East Coast brewers sought after the tradition of European ales and lagers. The so-called “East Coast IPAs” are a bit more balanced, with stronger malt component matching the stronger hops component, but still have that pleasant bitterness IPAs are known for.
The East Coast IPA is based on the West Coast with one fundamental difference – yeast. Where California brewers use clean, almost flavorless yeasts to focus the drinker on the hop aromas and flavors, East Coast brewers are using mutated, complicated British yeasts.
These yeasts produce lots of smells and flavors as they ferment the sugar – usually stone fruit, banana and tropical notes – which the brewers use to top up the intense hop aromas. With this flavor boost, they can use fewer hops so the beers are less bitter, and they also leave the beer hazy to give it a cloudy look and a pillow-like texture. As hazy as a squall off the coast, this beer captivates the tongue with a fruity and malty profile.
Double IPA
Also known as the Imperial IPA, this style is an intensely hoppy, fairly strong pale ale. The adjective “double” is arbitrary and simply implies a stronger IPA– strongly hopped, but clean, dry, and lacking harshness. Double IPA’s take a regular IPA and amplify all the characteristics, with a bigger malt and hop profile, yet remaining quite drinkable. The alcohol content is also greater with Double IPAs, usually between 7.5-10%.
Triple IPA
For some, the highly bitter profile of the West Coast IPA wasn’t enough. They clamored for more hops and so the hoppy arms race was on. Brewers responded in kind with the addition of more hops, the development of bolder flavor and stronger aromas.
Brewers pushed the hop plant to its limit and created some of the strongest, headiest, driest IPAs on the market. This takes a Double IPA to the next level and is probably the least commercialized IPA style, mostly because of the higher alcohol content, sometimes pushing 12% or even 13%. Clearly, these beers are not for the faint-hearted.
Session IPA
On the flip side of the coin, not everyone wants to drink themselves stupid after only a pint or two. Some folks enjoyed the hoppy flavor but found West Coasts to be aggressive and Imperials as overkill. Some people wanted to enjoy a summer barbeque without destroying their palate and their mind. So born was the Session IPA.
Never usually topping more than 5% ABV, brewers tend to dry hop them to death so as to obtain the greatest aroma with the lowest amount of bitterness. This leaves a cracker-dry brew that’s as drinkable and full-flavored as possible.
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Belgian IPA
Inspired by American IPAs and Double IPAs, more Belgian brewers are making hoppy pale-colored ales for the US market. The driving flavor in a Belgian IPA comes from Belgian yeast, which provides sweet, bready, warm notes to the beer. These usually end up tasting like a British IPA mixed with a Belgian tripel.
Additionally, this beer has a more complex flavor profile and may be higher in alcohol than a typical IPA. Like the Double, Belgian IPAs clock in between 7% and 10%, so think twice before chugging one of these.
Black IPA
Also known as India Black Ale (IBA), it’s a beer with the dryness, hop-forward balance, and flavor characteristics of an American IPA, only darker in color – but without strongly roasted or burnt flavors. The flavor of darker malts is gentle and supportive, not a major flavor component.
A variation of the American IPA style first commercially produced as Blackwatch IPA around 1990, popularized in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California starting in the early-mid 2000s. This style is sometimes known as Cascadian Dark Ale (CDA), mainly in the Pacific Northwest.
Summary
India Pale Ales have become popular, widespread, and they come in a range of styles. An abundance of hops characterizes the IPAs we encounter today. Hops affect flavor, aroma, and bitterness.
On that note, brewers can experiment endlessly to impart other hop flavors and aromas to the beer. The modern approach to hoppy beer isn’t just a declaration of bitterness, but a beer that explores the world of fruity flavors.
IPA styles include American-style (West & East Coast), English-style, and Double or Imperial. There are also plenty of sub-styles, including Black, Belgian, and Session IPAs. Each style and sub-style has its own characteristics. In addition, many craft breweries have created their own unique twists on the classics. This proliferation means there is plenty of variety in what falls under the IPA label today.
So there you have it, an in-depth guide into the history and different styles of IPA’s. The best way to learn about India pale ales isn’t to read about them– it’s to drink them! If you’d like to try an IPA, we encourage you to do so. Find your favorite local brewery and see if they offer an IPA.
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This article was brought to you by Office Libations, your San Francisco Bay Area office coffee, keg delivery, and snack service. Delivering top local brands and kegs of cold brew coffee, kombucha, beer, wine, and office snacks.
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Looking for a lighter, healthier alcoholic drink? Well, say hello to the newest trend in the alcohol world: hard seltzer!
With few calories, barely any sugar and free of gluten, hard seltzer is the perfect drink of choice for fitness conscious people or anyone else looking for that alternative “healthy” happy hour drink of choice.
Health-conscious consumers appear to be really loving Hard Seltzers. Part of this may be due to the health halo that surrounds a seltzer drink that’s marketed as refreshing, low-calorie, low-carb, and gluten-free.
What makes hard seltzer different from other clear carbonated beverages is the unique type of alcohol in it. Unlike a vodka soda or gin and tonic, the alcohol in most hard seltzer brands comes from fermented sugars. So, when you crack open a bottle of seltzer, you’re just drinking fermented sweetened seltzer– and that could be a good thing for your health and waistline!
The Rise Of Hard Seltzers
More than a quarter of Americans are looking to “consume alcohol beverages made with wellness in mind,” according to a Nielsen data report, which has inspired the creation of a new segment in the alcohol industry called “better-than” drinks.
Hard seltzers, which started to appear on store shelves in 2013, quickly appealed to the health-conscious. The drinks are frequently sugar- and gluten-free, with around 100 calories or less that offer consumers a way to drink with clearer consciences.
In 2018, alcohol-infused seltzer sales grew about 169 percent, to nearly $487.8 million, while volumes increased 181 percent, according to a January Nielsen report. The category now makes up 1.3 percent of the total beer category dollar share. Meanwhile, beer sales have flattened out, with category-wide dollar sales growing only 0.7 percent.
Clearly, this bubbly drink has taken over parties in the past years and is definitely seen as a lighter, healthier alcoholic drink. The portability of the canned or bottled libations also makes them an easy option for the summer. Plus, they can add some sparkle and extra potency to cocktails.
Now that more brands are getting in the game, are these drinks any good? To find out, we decided to find out which are the best hard seltzer brands on store shelves. Here, we’ve rounded up 6 of our favorites, all of which are gluten-free, low-sugar, and big on taste.
1. White Claw
ABV: 5%
Calories: 100 per 12 oz.
White Claw isn’t just one of the best hard seltzer brands out there; it’s also the first. This seltzer is the one that started it all—and yes, it’s good enough to start a wave of copycats as a result. For that reason alone, it’s hard to imagine a list that doesn’t involve White Claw on it.
The brand uses a proprietary brewing process that uses fermented sugar, and a yeast strain that took more than a year to develop. No malt is used, but there is a bit of fruit juice and cane sugar added to the final product. It comes in black cherry, ruby grapefruit, raspberry, and natural lime flavors.
Also, their newest addition is their Pure Hard Seltzer (5% ABV), the first plain hard seltzer on the market, has a refreshing clean taste and clocks in at zero grams of sugar and carbs. It’s also perfect for adding your own flavor twist.
2. Truly Spiked & Sparkling Water
ABV: 5%
Calories: 100 per 12 oz. can
This is the most seltzer-like of all the hard seltzers—it would be easy to miss the alcohol in it, though it has a very slight after taste. The flavors are a bit more posh—including Colima Lime, Pomegranate, Sicilian Blood orange, and Grapefruit & Pomelo.
This drink is a standout with a scent that’s so fresh it almost smells like real fruit. The fact that they can do this and come in at 100 calories and still pack a five percent alcohol-by-volume makes it pretty impressive.
If you love seltzers that tiptoe close to being cocktails with a lighter, carbonated kick, you’re going to see why Truly Spiked is so popular almost instantly. It doesn’t need to be hard on your waistline making it a guiltless indulgence for dieters who just want a little buzz.
3. Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
ABV: 4.5%
Calories: 90 per 12 oz. can
BON & VIV Spiked Seltzer is naturally flavored and again– gluten-free. It contains 0 grams of sugar and is 4.5% alcohol. Each drink is made from purified water and the cold-pressed citrus essence taken from a variety of natural fruits. Flavors include Black Cherry Rosemary, Hibiscus Clementine, and Pear Elderflower.
It smells a little cough syrupy, but the flavors (like the Cherry Rosemary) help mitigate that. For its taste, the flavor is very seltzer-ish, with no perceptible alcohol. Very big carbonation washes the taste away almost as soon as you can grab at it; sort of tastes like sweet spa water.
Further, If you’re watching calories, Spiked Seltzer’s flavors might be one of your best options. With only 90 calories per 12 oz can, these carbonated cans are truly worth sipping. The result is clean and clear without the sugary sweetness of wine or the heaviness of beer.
4. Henry’s Hard
ABV: 4.2%
Calories: 88 per 12 oz. serving; 106 per 16 oz. can
Henry’s Hard also ranks as one of the best hard seltzer companies to delve into both classic and exotic seltzer flavors alike. However, the real perk here is the fact that they are ultra-low calorie. In fact, coming in at just 88 calories, Henry’s Sparkling Water is the lowest cal drink on this list.
Another stand-out stat for Henry’s? It’s 4.2 percent ABV, which is on the lower end of most alcoholic drinks, making it a good go-to for when you’re not in the mood to get too tipsy.
How about the taste? This refreshing seltzer has a nicely-balanced, sweet and tangy taste. Several tasters likened this to a shandy—and one taster labeled it “a less sweet version of Sprite.” This seltzer’s strongest quality was its subtle hint of lemon, which kept it from being overly sweet.
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5. Nauti
ABV: 4.5%
Calories: 100 per 12 oz. can
This malt beverage from Wachusett Brewing Company had more of an “artificial” taste than the others, with a stronger alcoholic kick if that’s what you’re going for. Nauti was the mildest in terms of carbonation, scoring low on the bubble-strength scale.
Additionally, it left mouths with what felt like a sugary film. In four fun and fresh flavors—black cherry, blueberry lemonade, mixed berry, and watermelon—you can’t go wrong.
People who want to get a little naughty on their diet would probably find Nauti to be one of the best hard seltzer brands on this list. However, only those who dislike the taste of hard alcohol will be the ones who enjoy this brand’s flavor the most.
6. Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer
ABV: 4.5%
Calories: 90 per 12 oz.
Yes, the classic vodka company also boasts one of the best hard seltzer brands to hit the mainstream too.
Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Water is described as “balanced” with a “slight alcoholic aftertaste.” The purified malt beverage has been “crafted to remove gluten.” While there isn’t any sugar or artificial sweeteners, the final product is the sweetest of all the options—it tastes more like a low-key soda than a seltzer. But that’s not a bad thing if you think about its 90-calorie count.
Its flavor proved lightly fruity and not too sweet, making it a crowd-pleaser for the majority of drinkers. They’re available in cranberry lime, orange mango, raspberry rosé, berry lemonade, and watermelon.
The real big perk here, aside from the classic Smirnoff flavor style, is the fact that it’s done by a company that makes it easy to find them in almost any liquor store.
Summary
One of the best ways to quench your thirst without derailing your diet is hard seltzer, or alcoholic sparkling water, or boozy seltzer—and it’s fizzy, fruity, and much lower in calories and carbs than beer.
Hard seltzer is the newest, trendiest thing on the market. Its popularity comes from the fact that it’s an alcoholic beverage that gets you buzzed, has low carb counts, and still manages to taste crisp and refreshing. It’s no wonder hard seltzer is so dang popular!
As many people claim, you can never go wrong with hard seltzer. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ on your rooftop or simply kickin’ it with your cat, it’s a really refreshing way to cool off when the summer heat is in full force. So, get started on trying some of these — the flavor options are endless.
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When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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Not so long ago, I asked a former co-worker what makes him so calm during our extremely busy hours at work. He replied “a daily sip of wine”. It took me a second to process the potential benefits of alcoholic drinks in the office.
Alcohol can play a large role in the culture of many workplaces. From social functions and events to regular lunches and celebrations, office drinking serves as a means of managing work-related issues including employee stress and tension.
As we know, alcohol is one of the most ubiquitous and unifying products in the world. It is, in one form or another, consumed in great volume in every corner of the Earth.
And in this modern era, there’s good news for all you lovers of office libation – boozing in the office is definitely in fashion! A long-since-exiled workplace habit is now making a big comeback.
A Brief History of Office Drinking Culture
The presence of alcohol in offices has ebbed and flowed over time and largely depended on the type of business.
The big changes to US work culture haven’t just been all about modern appearances and policies. Office culture also has undergone a number of major changes since the 1950s.
Office drinking had its culmination in the work cultures of the ’50s and ’60s. But attitudes began to change starting in the 80s and 90s. Drinking at work mysteriously became forbidden.
But in the last decade or so, there’s been a resurgence of drinks in the office. For many companies—often startups and agency-like firms—drinking on the job is now considered a perk.
Bloomberg’s Businessweek reports that Yelp’s headquarters in San Francisco is equipped with “a keg refrigerator” that “supplies its employees with an endless supply of beer.”
It’s a great time to live in— where our perceptions of office drinking culture have already shifted and we’re gearing towards more innovations.
Benefits Of Drinks at Work
Alcoholic drinks hold great power over modern society and, especially, over modern workers.
Whether workplace enjoyment, productivity, or employee health and well-being form part of your workplace’s rationale, an office culture around alcohol provides a number of benefits for workplaces. Here are 7 compelling reasons to embrace drinks in the office.
1. Incentivizes employee performance
Holding a happy hour in the office brings after-hours activity into the professional space. It’s both a way to keep employees around longer while fostering internal connections.
Light drinking in the workplace may help some employees to feel appreciated and keep them committed to the company. Furthermore, modern workers especially expect an office culture that allows them to be their true selves at work. They see alcoholic beverage in the office as a major perk to their job.
Many managers now are providing fridges full of drinks because they understand workplace stress – they want employees to feel free to forget the stress, alleviate the pressures, and forgo the office politics for the time being. Remember to do this enthusiastically but with restraint.
2. Helps employees bond and connect
For most of us, courage from an alcoholic beverage can be the reason we have the gall to approach that group across the room or start a conversation with people we don’t really know.
Business deals, new friendship, and strong bonds are often formulated over drinks, and networking events tend to occur after hours.
Grabbing a beer or a glass of wine with a couple of coworkers (even from other departments) is definitely a form of networking. When enjoyed in moderation, it has a tendency to lower our inhibitions, which can lead your team to form new relationships and forge new bonds. These bonds, in turn, result in a more engaged team.
In Japan, drinks in the office are also very common. In fact, it can be an unspoken requirement in many companies. They feel that it is an important way to enhance relationships. Like them, it can be useful for you to understand who your coworkers are and their typical mindset when they are relaxed and outside of the office.
3. Improves recruitment and retention
Office drinking culture can have a number of positive impacts on workplaces. One of them is that it may help attract new talent. In fact, some businesses highlight their free alcohol policies as a way of getting new hiring prospects.
Not only is it something employees want (no surprise there), it’s also something employers feel can attract and retain today’s more progressive-minded modern workers.
Companies, including Yelp, Google, and almost every Ad agency in New York, offer alcoholic perks to their employees — and for good reason.
Research shows employees with alcohol in their systems work faster and are better problem solvers than their sober counterparts. But before you make a case about working drunk, know these benefits don’t apply to the flat-out intoxicated. The key is to meet somewhere in the middle.
As a result of this research, more companies are attempting to attract modern employees with office bars and casual environments.
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4. Saves employees from tension meltdown
Drinking can reduce fears and take your mind off of your troubles. It can help you feel less shy, give you a boost in mood, and make you feel generally relaxed. In fact, alcohol’s effects can be similar to those of anti-anxiety medications.
With that said, a glass of wine or a beer can be a helpful option to calm employees’ nerves when dealing with stressful work days or nervous situations.
A study, which analyzed more than 2,600 men and 2,800 women over a seven-year period, found that people who drank two to seven glasses of wine a week were less likely to suffer from depression. Also, it can be helpful in reducing stress.
With that said, the availability of alcohol in the workplace can create a positive impact on employees’ well-being. There is a certain lucidity that alcohol can offer, putting us in a state to work fast and have fun.
Not only does office drinking culture make your working environment enjoyable, but it also helps employees decompress during stressful hours and serves as a coping mechanism after a particularly bad day.
5. Improves employees’ creative problem-solving
Nowadays, many modern corporate offices already condone drinking on the job. As it turns out, a little bit of alcohol really can support creative thinking.
Research has even shown that workers who drink are more productive and can better explore unorthodox solutions. A certain level of inebriation can help get the creative juices flowing.
In fact, a US experiment reported in Harvard Business Review showed that when 20 young men drank enough vodka cranberry cocktails to push their blood alcohol levels close to the legal limit of 0.08, they solved a bunch of word puzzles better and faster than 20 other blokes who stayed sober.
Apart from that, an earlier study also found that light to moderate drinking can actually help relax your brain and get you thinking more clearly. It was even found to help people not overthink and come to better, more thought-out solutions.
So if you need to get your creative juices flowing, one to two glasses of alcohol can actually help you and your team become creative problem-solvers.
6. Promotes trust and respect
Since the corporate life has changed a lot in the last decade or so, work has become more flexible. It accommodates the needs of individuals according to their lifestyle and stage of life.
The majority of the younger generation or modern workers prefer an environment with more freedom and a more relaxed work atmosphere. Bringing adult beverages into your office will send your workers a message that you trust your employees to act like responsible adults.
No one wants to feel trapped in a strict and toxic working environment. Trusting them to know their own limits and partake in the occasional in-office drink helps do just that. They will feel more respected and trusted.
Moreover, they will also find it easier to talk to their colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere inside work. Relationships with coworkers may develop closer casual talks and employees may be more open to sharing concerns about their work or about other coworkers.
7. Improves employees’ health and well-being
We probably all know that getting wasted every day might not be the best thing for your physical or mental well-being, but moderate alcohol consumption may have somesubstantial health benefits.
From reducing your stress to lengthening your life, there are a number of health benefits from moderate drinking.
Research even suggests that one drink a day helps reduce a person’s risk of heart disease by up to 40%. Moderate drinking has also been found to reduce a person’s risk for diabetes and decrease their chances of developing dementia.
In view of this, a responsible office drinking culture can improve the health and well-being of employees. It is also as clear as day that drinks in the office unlock so many other productivity benefits from more motivation to extra energy.
Conclusion
For decades we’ve been hearing about the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Getting intoxicated every day is obviously not good for you. But as a society, we already seem to have latched onto this idea that small amounts of alcohol are actually beneficial for your health and well-being.
Some research shows that the actual act of socializing in a drinking setting makes people feel more engaged and trusting of their friends and community.
The upshot is that, for people working on something creative or problem-solving, drinks in the office could actually help job performance. Check out this list of drink ideas if you’re struggling to come up with something beyond a chardonnay and an IPA.
Whatever it is, we can agree that as long as you keep your imbibing under control and your sipping in moderation, office drinking culture has a number of benefits for the employees and for the organization as a whole.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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No one does beer delivery in the bay area like Office Libations.
That’s why we take it upon ourselves to tell you all there is to know about beer. Starting with what kinds of beer are out there.
Consider this your chance to make an educated decision.
So before you go and call in your beer order for the office, you might want to check in to our basic beer guide and touch up on what’s out in the market.
We won’t get into craft beers or those new variation mixes, otherwise, our list would be endless. Instead, we’ll start off with a standard list of all the basics you are sure to meet whether it’s in a bar, restaurant, or brewery.
Once you know the basics on beer, you’ll be set to take on all sorts of beer varieties that the bay area is known for.
Yes, Beer Comes In Varieties
Think of beer like you were thinking about wine, except without the so-called pretension.
Do you hear people bragging about their 1995 British Style Barley Beer that they saved for a special occasion? The answer is no, and if the answer is yes then that person has too much time on their hands.
Otherwise, beer is exactly like wine: it’s meant to be appreciated and enjoyed in good company.
Also like wine is the painstakingly long list of beer varieties or sub-types you’ll find.
BUT, there is a standard guide to follow when it comes to beer.
And it doesn’t matter if you’ve been around the bar or you’re just getting to know beer now. The following is crucial to understanding why there are so many varieties of beer on the market.
It All Comes Down to Fermentation
Now there are two main types of fermentation that result in two main types of beer.
A beer will usually always be categorized as an ale or a lager.
Every other beer will tend to fall into a subcategory of these top two.
Bottom fermentation is otherwise known as lager production.
So what does it mean for a beer to be bottom fermented and what differentiates a lager from an ale?
When a beer is bottom fermented, that simply means that the yeast settles to the bottom of the vessel that the beer is fermenting in.
The strains of yeast used in fermenting lager beer tend to ferment at a lower temperature. They’re more fragile than those used in producing ales and so they are not as tolerant to alcohol.
They also don’t grow as quickly and that’s why you won’t see foam on the surface.
This affects the beer in several ways.
First, this creates a sweeter and smoother beer because of the type of yeast that’s used.
The yeast strain used in lager production goes by the name Saccharomyces uvarum. And because of its slow fermenting capabilities, it breaks down sugar at a slower rate.
Second, because the yeast is so volatile, this can create a bevy of flavors in the resulting product.
Top Fermentation
Now on the other end of the beer spectrum, we’ve got ale production.
Ale production uses another strain of yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This particular yeast strain displays different qualities than those used in lager production.
Above all, it’s a much hardier yeast, thus it is much more tolerant to alcohol.
And can you guess why it’s called top fermentation?
Yup, not a hard question. Yeast rises to the top of the fermentation vessel creating a foam layer before sinking back to the bottom after fermentation is complete.
In the end, you’re left with a beer that has a higher alcohol content as well as a stronger flavor profile.
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Spontaneous Fermentation
Let’s give spontaneous fermentation an honorary mention because, without it, we wouldn’t have lambics or sour beers.
Originating from Belgium, this method of fermentation is completely natural.
And when we say natural we do mean natural. Whatever happens…happens.
The fate of the brew is left to the microorganisms that are in the air at the time and left to ferment on its own.
The distillers don’t have much control over what ends up in their beer, that’s why it’s called spontaneous.
How To Categorize Your Beer
So now you know a bit more about the difference between an ale and a lager.
Here comes the fun part.
How do you differentiate between beer styles?
Like we mentioned before, beer will usually fall into two categories: ale or a lager. And each style has its own variation of flavors, alcohol, and appearance.
Beers in the Lager Family
Pilsners and Light Lagers
Popular types of pilsners include:
German Helles
German Pilsner
Czech/Bohemian Pilsner
Pilsners can range from a pale yellow to gold in color.
A German Helles will taste maltier than a German pilsner and a Czech pilsner will have more prominent notes of hops flavors and spicy florals.
Popular brands include Victory Helles Lager, Sierra Nevada’s Nooner Pilsner, and Lagunitas PILS.
Light lagers, on the other hand, aren’t known to be hoppy in flavor. Instead, they are characterized by their refreshing and crisp taste with very mellow flavors.
Budweiser, Coors, and Pabst Blue Ribbon are all labeled as light or ‘American’ lagers.
Dark Lagers
In contrast to light lagers, dark lagers bring a unique flavor to the table. Because dark lagers are made with roasted malts, this gives them a nutty flavor.
Popular dark lagers include:
Amber American Lager
German Schwarzbier
Vienna Lager
Overall, dark lagers are smoother, richer, and have a very robust palette of flavors.
Bock, Doppelbock, and Eisbock
There’s no other beer with a more German reputation than bock beers.
Originating from the northern town of Einbeck, bock beers gravitate towards stronger flavors compared to traditional lagers.
They are darker in color, with a strong malt sweetness that is softer than its hop flavors.
A doppelbock is essentially a bock beer times 5, and an Eisbock is a bock times 10. They’re stronger in both flavor and alcohol.
Beers in the Ale Family
Brown Ales
Moving on to another class of beer, brown ales include two popular styles: American brown ales and English brown ales.
Both have notes of malt and boast nutty, caramel flavors.
The mouthfeel tends to range in the middle in terms of alcohol with less hoppy bitterness than porters or stouts.
Pale Ales
Needless to say, pale ales lean towards the crisper and lighter side than the rest of their ale brethren.
Types of pale ales include:
American Amber Ale
American Pale Ale
Blonde Ale
English Bitter
English Pale Ale
By contrast, they tend to be lower in alcohol than an IPA will be.
India Pale Ales
IPAs are a notoriously popularized style of ale that includes:
American IPA
Imperial/Double IPA
English IPA
Higher in alcohol content than pale ales, IPAs present stronger hop flavors with floral, herbal, and bitter notes.
Porters
Here’s another dark ale to add to our list.
Encompassed in the porter group are:
American Imperial Porter
English Brown Porter
Robust Porter
They all have a few things in common.
Shout out to you if you’re a coffee lover, because porters just might be your favorite go-to option if that’s the case.
Aside from color, porters, for the most part, contain rich flavors of caramel, chocolate, and coffee.
Stouts
Similar to porters, stouts are dark in color also with plenty of coffee, chocolate, and caramel flavors.
Some popular stouts you’ll find are:
American Stout
American Imperial Stout
Oatmeal Stout
Milk Stout
Irish Dry Stout
These range from low to medium alcohol levels with features of malt or varying roast levels.
As is the case with oatmeal and milk stouts, they also tend to be sweeter and smoother than the other styles.
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Conclusion
So, you’ve probably cottoned on to the fact that beer is an extensive realm that requires time and experience to truly appreciate.
And, as you’ve now come to realize, it’s not so easy to choose a beer delivery service when you don’t even know what kind of beer you need.
When going to choose beer for the office, you want a beer that will satisfy everyone and to do that you have to know what kind of beer is likely to please.
You’ve got pale lagers for those Friday afternoons when you just need a refresh from the past week. Or perhaps more porters or stouts for the coffee aficionados in the office.
Maybe you need something stronger for those times when you need an extra oomph to reach that deadline.
To say we skimmed the surface of beer is putting it lightly. Be that as it may, there are still a good deal of options to try from these classic beer styles.
As in, not a few options, you have a whole BOATLOAD of options available to you. So feel free to explore what’s out there, and discover what your office can’t do without.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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