Chemical Description and Process

• CHEMICAL DESCRIPTION

The basic ingredients are water, malt, hops, and yeast. The major variation in beer is the type of yeast used to ferment the product. Water comprises more than 90% of beer. In the past, the mineral content of water influenced greatly the flavor of the final beer. Today, almost any water can be chemically adjusted to create the exact style of beer desired.

• BREWING PROCESS

Simply put, beer is fermented, hop flavored, malt sugared, liquid. To make beer, brewers use water and barley to create a sweetened liquid (called the wort), which they flavor with hops, then ferment with yeast. The basic process may be simple but the execution is highly sophisticated. The three most important stages are malting, brewing and fermentation - followed by maturation, filtering and bottling.

• HOME BREWERIES

Typically refers to the brewing of beer and alcoholic beverages on a very small scale as a hobby for personal consumption or other assorted generally non-commercial reasons. Equipment and books may be purchased through local home brew shops or online.

Typical equipment costs are approximately $75 - $99 plus the cost of a large kettle (about $35-$50). Ingredients for a typical 5 gallon batch range from $27 to $45 depending on beer style. Additional costs such as bottles and sanitizers should also be anticipated.

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Chemical Description and Process

Regulations and Effects

Yuengling History

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