If you’re new to the world of alcoholic beverages, beer might be a new one to you. The oldest and most widely-consumed beverage in the world, beer is also the third most popular drink in the entire world. Here’s a quick guide to what you should know before drinking beer. We’ve also outlined some of the most popular beer styles, as well as how to taste them! Hopefully this brief guide will help you understand and appreciate this classic beverage.
Beer is made by fermenting the grain and yeast. The first step is mashing, which involves activating the enzymes in the grain, which convert starch to sugar that the yeast will need later on. This process uses very hot water, which activates the enzymes and creates the base liquid for beer, known as “wort.” Once the initial fermentation is complete, the beer is transferred to a temperature-controlled cold vessel called a koelschip, where ambient yeast kickstarts the brewing process.
The malts in beer play a significant role in the flavor of the drink. Malt flavors can range from a mild corn-like flavor to a burnt mocha flavor. The types of malts used in brewing determine the color of the resulting brew, although all beers are made using a significant proportion of light-colored malts. Light-colored malts contain enzymes that convert starch in the malt into sugar. These sugars provide food for the yeast that then converts the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
