Drinking beer regularly has several health benefits. It can lower cholesterol levels and strengthen the heart. The bitter acid in beer also helps in the treatment of viral respiratory infections. It can also relieve gas and prevent acid indigestion. Additionally, beer has a high silicon content, making it ideal for bone-building. The most beneficial types of beer are those derived from malted barley.
Beer originated in the Middle East, but has become a global beverage. Germany is one of the largest countries involved in the industry. It has a rich history that goes back 10,000 years. The Germans were instrumental in expanding the beer culture worldwide. Today, the Germans make more than a quarter of the world’s beer.
Before brewing, malted barley must be milled or crushed and soaked in warm water. Other grains used in beer making are then added to this wort. The soaking process converts starch from the grains into sugars that are ideal for the fermentation process. Yeast then converts the sugars in the wort to alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Modern brewing operations use stainless steel equipment and computer-controlled automated operations to produce beer. Many breweries export their beer worldwide and produce it under license in other countries. Some traditional cultures produce their own versions of beer, such as the Japanese sake. In parts of Africa, local beers use maize (corn) as the primary ingredient. These are often consumed in social rituals.
