Beer 101Understanding the Diversity of Beer

What is Beer?Beer is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of cereal grains with

yeast

IngredientsWaterHopsYeastMalts/AdjunctsExtras

WaterWater is 90% of BeerBreaks down malts and exposes starches

and sugar

HopsHumulus Lupulus (hops) are the flowering cone of a perennial vining plant and a cousin of the cannabis variety (sorry no THC in this stuff) that typically thrives in climates similar to the ones that grapes do. Hop plants are dioecious, meaning the males and females flower on separate plants -- and the female cones are used in the brewing process. Hops are the age old seasoning of the beer, the liquid gargoyles who ward-off spoilage from wild bacteria and bringers of balance to sweet malts. They also lend a hand in head retention, help to clear beer (acting as a natural filter) and please the palate by imparting their unique characters and flavours. Basically, hops put the "bitter" in beer.

Malts/Adjuncts Malts/Adjucts provide

the fermentable sugars that are required to make beer (and to make beer "sweet"). The process of malting converts insoluble starch to soluble starch, reduces complex proteins, generates nutrients for yeast development, and develops enzymes.

Extras Other ingredients that add flavor and/or fermentable sugars that do not come from

malt

YeastSingle celled

organisms that are responsible for converting

starch and sugar into

alcohol and CO2

Ale Yeast vs. Lager Yeast

Ale Yeast Top Fermenting (yeast

ferments at the top) Ferment at Higher Temps Adds Fruity/Ester Flavors

Lager Yeast Bottom Fermenting (yeast

ferments at bottom) Ferment at Lower Temps Adds Crisp Clean Flavors

Making BeerMashingBrewingFermentingAgingPackaging

Beer StylesAlesLagersAll Styles are either Ales or LagersBeer Styles branch into hundreds of

varieties from there

Enjoying Beer

5 Tasting Steps

-Appearance-Aroma-Taste-Mouthfeel-Finish

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Enjoy!