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Beer

Origins of Beer…

 

Dating back as early as 4000 BC in ancient Mesopotamia (Modernly known as West Asia), beer is arguably the most pictorially backed fermented beverage. As there is no way to know for certain when exactly beer was first crafted, many historians believe it was by accident that grains in food storage fermented themselves over time. 

While there are many types of starch based alcohols around the world, many of which involve a malted component and thus could be considered beer, here in the U.S. we almost exclusively use two row barley as the main source of fermentable sugars and add hops for flavor and natural preservation of the beers we make.

 

Whats in Beer?

 

Grains-Malted Barley makes up most of the mash, although other grains such as wheat, rice, or corn may also be added

Water– Although water might seem like a small thing, the minerals contained in the water will effect the final beer flavor. This leads to a different beer flavor region to region, if unfiltered water is used, even if every other ingredient is the same.

Hops– Hops are rated on how much bitterness they will give to the beer in International Bitterness Units (IBU). They also contribute different flavors, floral to fruity to citrus, depending on the variety. As well as flavor compounds, hops also contribute Alpha Acids, which help naturally preserve the beer.

Yeast-Yeast can be naturally found in the environment so it is possible to make alcohol without adding yeast. That being said, fermentations that occur this way will be uncertain of their results. For this reason commercial breweries almost always add yeast (the exception being Lambic beers which use wild yeasts). The two general types of yeast most commonly used are ale and lager yeast. The most visible difference being that ale yeast ferment on the top of the wort and lager yeast ferment on the bottom of the wort.

Resources…

For more information on the different styles of beer available, visit this excellent database by Brewers Association

Washington State University article on Lyon barley: link

Washington State University Fermentation Science degree: link

Washington State brewery locations: link

Craft beer sale statistics: link

Videos…

Brewing process of beer

 

 

how to make beer