Beer is made by fermenting starch-based ingredients such as malt and water. During this process, yeast will consume sugar and produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. Eventually, the yeast will die or slow down, and the beer will be ready to drink. This process can take a day, weeks, or even years depending on the style of beer.
Researchers have shown that moderate drinking of beer can improve your health. According to University of Texas psychologists, beer can increase your life span by two or more years. While heavy drinking can be detrimental to your health, moderate beer consumption can improve your cholesterol levels, lower your risk of diabetes, and strengthen your heart. The benefits of beer may surprise you.
Beer contains approximately 95% water, which has an impact on its taste. While this proportion may seem large, it is not the only factor in determining the flavor of a beer. The type of water used for brewing can make or break the taste of beer. A brewer may use a different kind of yeast for each type of beer, depending on the taste of the particular beverage.
The alcohol content of a beer can vary from less than 3.2% ABV to as much as 14% ABV. Brewers have been using different methods to adjust the brewing process in order to produce different flavors and textures. Some use variable mashing and steeping, different fermentation temperatures, multiple yeast additions, and barrel aging or blending. Some also use dry hopping.
