Unlocking Beer

1
Unlocking Beer

• The basics of Ales and Lagers
• from a home-brewing perspective

2
The Basic Ingredients

• Water
• Grain (usually barley)
• Yeast (two main types)
• Hops (many varieties)

3
Water

• 90 of the beer
• If it tastes good, brew with it!
• Natural spring or artesian well water
• Additives might be used to increase calcium,
  sulfate, sodium, chloride, or magnesium to
  match classic styles

4
Malted Grain

• Usually barley, but can be any grain
• 2-row, 4-row or 6-row barley
• 2-row is preferred, due to higher starch/husk
  ratio it malts better
• Malting is a process moving the grain to the
  highest possible soluble starch content
• Diastase (enzyme) coverts starch to maltose
• Process is controlled with heat and moisture

5
Grain Uses

• Primary role is food source for the yeast
• Unmalted or malted grain can be roasted from
  light to very dark this addition adds color and
  flavor to beer
• Sugars in malted barley can also be crystallized
  this addition adds sweetness to the beer
• Grain contributes sweetness to beer

6
Yeast

• Converts sugar from malted grain into alcohol and
  CO2 this is fermentation
• Two basic types Ale Lager
• Wild yeast is used for some styles
• Ale yeast 60oF - 75oF / 1-2 weeks
• Lager yeast 32oF - 75oF / 3 weeks

7
Hops

• Green, cone-like flowers from a vine
• Hops impart bitterness to beer
• Also
• Hops inhibit spoilage
• Hops enhance head retention
• Hops affect flavor and floral bouquet of beer
• Boiling hops, finishing hops, dry-hopping

8
Spectrum of Beer Flavors
9
Tasting Beers

• Look 15
• Smell 20
• Taste 50
• Overall Impression 15