Beer is an alcoholic beverage made from water, a fermentable starch source such as barley or other grains, and yeast. A flavouring is often added, usually hops.
Brewing occurs over a period of days or weeks depending on the style, and is a complex process that involves mixing different ingredients to create a sweet wort. This wort is then cooled to the ideal temperature for the yeast that will do the work of fermentation and turn the sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
In making beer, barley is first malted by soaking it in warm water to convert the starches into sugars. Without this process, the starches would not be able to be converted into sugars in time for fermentation.
After the brewing is complete, the wort is transferred to conditioning tanks. The conditioning tanks help to slow down the rate of fermentation and reduce the ethanol levels in the beer.
The wort is then bottled and sold to consumers. It can be found in almost any grocery store, liquor or bottle shop, and is also increasingly available at craft breweries and taprooms.
Beer can contain small amounts of B vitamins and minerals, such as thiamine, calcium, zinc and potassium. But it is not a complete nutrient, and you should avoid drinking too much if you are looking to meet your daily nutritional needs.
Although beer is a popular drink, it does not have the same health benefits as other foods. It contains little protein, and only a few micronutrients (potassium, calcium, thiamine and iron).
