Beer is the leading alcoholic beverage consumed in the world and dates back to 4000 BC, making it the oldest known fermented drink (The Beer Academy, 2015). There are many different varieties of beer, including pale ale, lager, lambic, and wheat beer, which all usually contain about 4-6% alcohol content (Zelman, 2014).

 

Beer is most commonly created from malted wheat and malted barley. The malted starch undergoes saccharification and the resulting sugar is then fermented to create the beverage (Briggs, Boulton, Brookes, & Stevens, 2004). The fermented sugar product is then flavoured, traditionally with hops, and occasionally with other herbs and spices. For more information on the processes involed in the making of beer, please use the links below.