Beer is the fermented, alcoholic beverage made by carefully combining water, malt and hops. It is an ancient drink that, in modern times, has become a cultural phenomenon with a wide variety of styles and flavors. Beer has also been around for centuries and is the foundation of many social traditions, including beer festivals, pub culture and even brewing competitions.
The first step in brewing beer is called mashing, where the malted barley is mixed with hot water to activate enzymes that convert starches into sugars. This is the beginning of beer, which can be produced by a number of methods: extract brewing, partial mash brewing or all-grain brewing. The resulting liquid is called the wort, and it can be stored for fermentation in either barrels or bottles. The wort is then flavored with bittering agents (usually hops) and carbonated. Finally, the brewer will add yeast and ferment until the alcohol content is high enough to make the drink pleasant.
Craft beer is a term that was created in the mid-1980s to describe small, independent breweries that produce a wide range of artisanal beers. By contrast, mass-produced beer is brewed by large companies and sold to grocery stores where it competes with other alcohol beverages like wine and spirits.
Today, there are more than 2,000 breweries producing more than 16,000 different beer brands across the United States. Brewing is a complex process that requires a lot of equipment and knowledge to produce high-quality, flavorful beers. Whether you’re a newbie to the world of beer or a seasoned connoisseur, there is always something more to learn about this fascinating and delicious beverage.
