In the brewing process, malted grains are soaked in water for a long time to encourage germination. Once they have soaked long enough, the grains are dried and placed inside a kiln to be roasted. The roasting process releases enzymes that convert starches into sugars. The longer the grains are roasted, the darker the beer will be.
The type of malt used to produce a particular beer can greatly affect its flavor. Some varieties of malt are more sweet than others, and can range from mild corn flavor to burnt mocha flavors. The type of malt also determines the color of the beer. Light colored malts contain special enzymes that break down malt starch into sugar, the fermentable material that the yeast needs to ferment. The yeast in the brewing process converts these sugars to alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Beer is often packaged in bottles, kegs, and cans. Some brewers add yeast to the bottles before filling them, which allows the beer to evolve in the bottle. While fresh beer is always best, some styles are meant to be aged and develop over time. So if you’re a beer lover, consider visiting a brewery or distillery to experience the process and taste different beer styles.
The main ingredients in beer are water, malt, yeast, and hops. Although hops were not always included in the process, the modern brewing industry uses these four ingredients in a wide variety of ways. By varying these four ingredients, beer can be made unique and distinctive.
