When it comes to how beer is made, most people just think of the process as a mysterious and distant art that happens for our enjoyment. But have you ever stopped to consider what the actual ‘ingredients’ are that make up this beloved beverage?
Everything from water to chocolate or coffee beans can contribute to the flavor of your beer. In reality, there are six primary components found in nearly every type of brew – water, hops, yeast, grain adjuncts, flavorings and carbon dioxide.
Let’s take an in-depth look at each component so you can understand better what goes into making one of our favorite beverages!
What is beer?
Beer is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting malted grains. The main ingredients are usually barley, wheat, hops, yeast and water; however, different ingredients can be used to impart flavor or color. The type of beer you’re drinking will depend on the ratio of ingredients and the specific brewing process that was employed.
Water: Water makes up the majority of any beer, so it’s important that it has the right amount of minerals for optimal fermentation. Depending on where your beer is from, the water may have a certain mineral content which affects how the beer tastes in subtle ways.
Hops: Hops are flowering plants that contain oils with flavorful compounds such as alpha acids and beta acids. They provide bitter flavors which balance out the sweetness of the malt, and they have preservative qualities that help keep beer from spoiling.
Yeast: Yeast is a fungus that converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Different types of yeast will produce different flavors in your beer. Ale yeast ferments at warmer temperatures than lager yeast and produces more fruity flavors. Lager yeasts ferment at cooler temperatures, giving off a cleaner flavor profile with no fruity esters.
Grain Adjuncts: Grain adjuncts are grains other than barley which add different characteristics to the beer’s flavor, such as body or sweetness. Rice and corn are common additions to light lagers like Budweiser or Coors Light, while wheat is often added to German-style wheat beers.
Flavorings: Different ingredients can be used to add flavor and complexity to your beer. From fruits like cherries or oranges, to spices like coriander or ginger, these additions can make a world of difference in the taste of your brew.
Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide is created by the yeast during fermentation and gives beer its characteristic bubbles. It also helps create a creamy head on top of the beer when it’s poured.
What is Beer made of?
Beer is made primarily of four ingredients: water, malted barley, hops and yeast. Malted barley is the main ingredient in beer, providing sugar for the yeast to ferment into alcohol.
Hops provide bitterness and aroma to the beer. Yeast converts the sugars from the malted barley into alcohol and carbon dioxide, giving beer its characteristic alcoholic content and level of carbonation. Other grains such as wheat, oats or rye may be added during brewing to add complexity and enhance flavor.
Beer can also contain a variety of other ingredients like spices, herbs, fruits or vegetables depending on the type of beer being brewed. Some beers are even aged in barrels with various types of wood chips or fruit peels which impart additional flavors onto the finished product. The types of ingredients used and their ratios will determine the unique flavor, aroma and alcohol content of each beer.
The fermentation process is also an important part of beer making as it determines how much alcohol is produced by the yeast. Different styles of beer will have different fermentations times, ranging from a few days for some lagers to several months for certain ales.
The temperature at which fermentation takes place also helps to create distinct flavors in beers such as fruity aromas or more robust malty notes. After fermentation, beers may be filtered or left unfiltered depending on the desired style and texture of the final product. Finally, beers can often be aged further in barrels to add additional complexity before they are ready for consumption.
Five steps to brewing beer
1. Malting: The grains (typically barley) used to make beer are germinated and dried in a process called malting. This step breaks down starches within the grain and creates enzymes that will be used to extract sugars later on in the brewing process.
2. Mashing: During mashing, the malt is mixed with hot water for an extended period of time which causes enzymatic reactions that convert starches into fermentable sugars.
3. Boiling/Hopping: After mashing, the liquid – now called “wort” – is brought to a boil and hops (or other herbs) may be added for bitterness, flavor and aroma.
4. Fermenting: The cooled wort is then transferred to a fermenter and yeast is added to begin the process of fermentation. The yeast consumes the sugars from the malt and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide as byproducts.
5. Conditioning: Finally, the beer is conditioned or “lagered” – either in tanks or bottles – for several weeks or months before it is ready for consumption. During this time, flavor compounds are further developed, resulting in a smoother-tasting beer.
After completing these steps, the beer is packaged and ready to be enjoyed!
Two Main Types of beer
1. Ales: These beers are typically brewed with top-fermenting yeast and ferment at higher temperatures for a shorter period of time than lagers. They tend to be more aromatic, fruity and spicy in flavor.
2. Lagers: Brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast, these beers ferment at cooler temperatures for longer periods of time resulting in a crisper, cleaner finish. Many light-colored styles such as Pilsners and Helles fall into this category.
FAQs about Beer
Q. How does the type of grain used affect beer?
A. The type of grains used to make beer play an important role in determining its flavor, aroma and color. Different grains such as barley, wheat, oats or rye can all be used to create unique styles of beer with distinct characteristics.
Q. What is the difference between ales and lagers?
A. Ales are typically brewed with top-fermenting yeast and ferment at higher temperatures for a shorter period of time than lagers. Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast and ferment at cooler temperatures for longer periods of time resulting in a crisper, cleaner finish.
Q. What other ingredients can be used to flavor beer?
A. In addition to hops, many brewers also use additional ingredients such as herbs, fruit peels, spices and wood chips to create unique flavors in their beers. These can all be added during the boiling or fermenting process to impart a variety of aromas and tastes.
Q. What is barrel-aging?
A. Barrel-aging is the process of aging beer in barrels that have previously been used for other alcoholic beverages such as wine or spirits. This helps to add complexity and distinct flavors to the finished product, often resulting in even smoother beers with greater depth of character.
Q. How long does it take to brew beer?
A. The length of the brewing process depends on the type of beer being brewed and can range from just a few days to several weeks or months. In general, lagers will require more time for fermentation and conditioning than ales.
Q. Can beer be canned or bottled?
A. Yes, most beers are canned or bottled for storage and transportation. Bottles provide better protection from light and oxygen which helps preserve flavor whereas cans offer lighter weight and easier packing for shipping. Both options are popular among craft brewers today!
Q. What is the alcohol content of beer?
A. The alcohol content of beer can range from as low as 0.5% to as high as 15% or more depending on the style being brewed and the fermentation process used, according to Brewdog.com. Generally speaking, lagers tend to be lower in ABV than ales, with some styles falling into both categories.
Q. Is there any health benefits associated with drinking beer?
A. Yes! Studies have shown that moderate consumption of beer – up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women – may help reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease, reduce inflammation and improve bone health among other potential benefits. However, it’s important to remember that overconsumption of alcohol can have serious health consequences. As always, enjoy responsibly.
Q. How long does beer last?
A. The shelf life of beer depends on the style being stored and the packaging used. In general, most beers will keep for several months when stored in a cool place away from light. Canned beers tend to last the longest, while bottled beers can start to lose flavor after about two months or so. It’s best to drink your beer as fresh as possible!
Conclusion
As we have learned, beer is a complex combination of grains, water, hop and yeast. Every beer type has unique variations in the brewing process that makes it unique from the others.
But once you get past the different ingredients and steps of how it’s made for each variety, one will find that great beer starts with creativity and love of the craftsmanship that goes into every single step of its production. With so many possibilities to explore as far as ingredients go, homebrewers are given an infinite number of ideas for new recipes.
So if you want to try your hand at creating a delicious batch of beer yourself, then it’s advised to take the time to research more about what goes into beer and the brewing process behind it. And don’t forget to follow us and read more articles at Fleetstreetkitchen.com! Cheers!
Chef Michael Correll began his restaurant career near his home in his teens as a pizza cook, but soon moved to Philadelphia where he first landed at Jones, an acclaimed Stephen Starr restaurant on Chesntut Street. It was also in Philadelphia that Chef Correll pursued his culinary education, graduating from the Art Institute of Philadelphia in 2008. After school he worked for Chef Marc Plessis at Nineteen in the Park Hyatt Hotel before moving to Pinehurst, North Carolina to open the Carolina Room.