Beer - What is it? Articles | Beer

By: J. Morgan

What is beer? Beer is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages around. It is also one of the most popular beverages to ever be produced. An alcoholic beverage is one that contains ethanol, among other ingredients, and is normally referred to as simply “alcohol.” Some of the oldest accounts of history include beer being produced and distributed, proving it is one of the oldest beverages around. Most all accounts of history will have something about beer in them.

In the past, beer was mainly enjoyed by men, but now many women also take pleasure in drinking it. It is as common as soda and juice and preferred by many over other beverage options. Some people believe that drinking beer is good for you, provided you don’t overdo it. Therefore, it will most likely continue to be one of the most popular beverages ever served.

How Is Beer Made

Beer is brewed out of four main ingredients: malted grains, water, hops, and yeast. Beer is the result of the fermentation of sugars derived from the starch-based material used to make it. The most common type of starch-based material used is malted barley. This is why some beer is sometimes referred to as malted beer. Other ingredients are often used with the barley, such as rice, wheat, and corn. Many brands of beer also contain ingredients such as herbs and fruits.

The starched-based material that is being used will be soaked in water so the enzymes in the malt begin to break down the starch molecules. This will produce a sugary liquid known as wort. Wort will be flavored with hops, which, in turn, will act as a natural preserver. This is when the yeast is added to the mixture to create fermentation so the alcohol and other waste products can be produced. This whole process is called brewing beer. The ingredients and method used to brew beer is what makes it a certain type, such as either lager or ale.

The Beer of Today

In the past, beer was a simple beverage that was made in only a few varieties. Today, things have really changed. When you go to purchase beer, you will notice such a variety of options that sometimes it may be a little hard to decide which one to buy.

Many are blended together to make exciting new drinks and others are simply poured into frosty mugs for you to enjoy. The world loves beer no matter how it is served, and it is unlikely that this will ever change. Expect beer to continue being a part of “history in the making.”