Throughout history, beer has played a role in society, culture, and science. It has been made for thousands of years and is still brewed all over the world. Some nations have their own local flavors and brews.
While there are several types of beer, most are made with the same four ingredients. The process of brewing beer involves mixing the ingredients, heating them, and brewing. There are many variations of this process. The main ingredients include water, yeast, and malt.
Some of the most notable beer styles are pale lager and pale ale. Pale lagers are typically light colored and have a relatively low alcohol by volume content. They have a sweeter, fuller body than ales. They typically ferment at a temperature of 60-75 degF.
Ales, on the other hand, ferment at a higher temperature. They are usually brewed with top-fermenting yeasts. They may include some fruity compounds as well. Some brewers use ale yeast strains with less pronounced top-fermentation characteristics.
During the brewing process, yeast converts the sugar in the grains into alcohol. They then release carbon dioxide. There is also a secondary fermentation, which allows the beer flavours to open. It may also be aged like fine wine.
Hops add flavor and contribute to the beer’s alcoholic content. They have been known to inhibit inflammation-causing compounds. They can be whole or pelleted.
The oldest known recipe for making beer was found in an ancient ode to Ninkasi. It is believed to be the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage.
