| Beer is a rather simple drink that is made of a very | | | | Malts are included in every beer made and are |
| basic recipe of only four ingredients, yet for some | | | | created from different types of grains, with barley |
| people this is a drink made for the Gods. This is a | | | | being the favored choice since it has a high |
| drink that should be savored and cherished for its | | | | concentration of amylase. Amylase is a digestive |
| flavor and aroma in the minds of beer enthusiasts. | | | | enzyme which is very efficient at turning the starch |
| The basic ingredients in beer are: | | | | in the grain into sugars. |
| * Water | | | | Some other grains that are commonly used include |
| * Hops | | | | oats, rye, rice, and wheat. These grains are soaked in |
| * Malted Barley | | | | water until they germinate and then placed in a kiln |
| * Yeast | | | | to dry. During this process enzymes will develop and |
| Sugars are important to beer because they give it a | | | | begin to turn the starches into fermentable sugars. |
| lot of the flavor and texture that beer enthusiasts | | | | Yeast |
| enjoy. Starches are also required in order to ferment | | | | Yeast is a basic beer ingredient because it is vital to |
| those sugars while brewing. The reason all brands of | | | | the fermentation process. Alcohol is produced by |
| beer have a different taste and aroma is because | | | | yeast as it takes the sugar produced from the |
| different manufacturers will include a variety of | | | | processed grains and turns them into carbon dioxide |
| ingredients to improve the flavor. | | | | and alcohol. Yeast is a living microorganism that |
| Water | | | | creates fermentation. The brew master will choose |
| Water seems like a boring subject, but when it | | | | from different strains of yeast, depending on the |
| comes to beer brewing it is actually quite complex. | | | | type of beer produced. |
| Different waters will have different mineral contents, | | | | Yeast is essentially a microorganism and there are |
| which will make a difference in the brewing process. | | | | different types that can be used for beer. Lager |
| Depending on the water that is available in the region | | | | yeast and ale yeast are two of the most commonly |
| a beer is being made, the flavor and texture will be | | | | used choices today, but wild and airborne yeast was |
| different. | | | | once widely used. |
| For instance, some brewers use spring or mountain | | | | Clarifying Agents |
| water to get the flavor they desire for their final | | | | You won't technically see clarifying agents on the |
| product. This can get quite complicated, but to make | | | | ingredients list of your beer because they aren't |
| it easy to understand just think of lighter beers using | | | | required to be listed, but many brewers today do |
| softer water sources while hard water is used for | | | | use them. They are animal byproducts which are not |
| darker beers. | | | | harmful, but may be of concern to vegetarians who |
| Hops | | | | choose not to consume animal products. Isinglas |
| Since malts are used in beer to produce a sweet | | | | (gelatin substance from bladders of fish), bentonite, |
| taste, hops must be used to some degree to add | | | | gelatin finings and Irish moss powder are some of |
| some bitterness to counteract the sweetness. Plus, | | | | the most commonly used clarifying agents in beer. |
| many brewers today use hops to create the aroma | | | | Next time you meet friends for a few drinks or kick |
| that is enjoyed by so many beer enthusiasts. There | | | | back in front of the television to watch a ball game, |
| is also an antibiotic effect related to the use of hops. | | | | think of where your beer came from and what it |
| Today, we measure the bitterness of a beer with a | | | | took to turn those four basic ingredients into the |
| system known as the International Bitterness Units | | | | flavorful, aromatic, beverage that you enjoy so |
| scale. | | | | much! |
| Malt | | | | |
