Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the world and it’s also the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage. It’s made from malted barley, hops and water and it has been brewed throughout history for over 10,000 years.
A beer is a fermented drink that is made by mixing malted grains with water and then adding yeast to transform the starches into sugars. Yeast then converts the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The result is a tasty beverage. The flavor of a beer is determined by the type of grain used, the terroir of the water, and even the yeast strain. Then the brewer adds hops, to create a balance of bitterness with floral or fruity flavors. The finished beer is then poured into bottles, cans or kegs. It can be consumed immediately or it can be cellared for a few months to allow the flavors to mature and develop.
The definitions of beer vary according to the region in which they are made, but most definitions include water, malt and hops. Many brewing traditions use different types of grains and hops, and breweries may also experiment with various ingredients to find unique flavors. However, the fundamental chemical transformations involved in the brewing of beer are universal. It is these processes that set the chemistry of beer apart from all other alcoholic beverages, including wine, mead, and distilled spirits.
