Beer is a staple at pubs and restaurants. Whether you’re enjoying a cold one during happy hour or you’re browsing your local bar’s craft beer selection, the beverage is enjoyed by all. As one of the oldest drinks in the world, you may be wondering how this refreshing beverage came to be. Here is a guide to beer and how it’s made.

What Is Beer?

Any alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain is considered beer. Usually, the grain in question is barley that has been malted, meaning it was germinated before roasting. The drink is also flavored with hops that add bitterness, flavor, and a natural preservative. Beer can be made from wheat, rye, corn, or rice. Herbs and fruit can also be added to change the flavor profile.

How Is It Made?

Heating 

Brewing begins with milling malted barley and cracking it between rollers. The malt is then heated with water in a mash tun—a large kettle that helps the starches in the malt break down into simple sugars. After about an hour, a sticky sweet liquid called wort remains. The brewer will then rinse the malt to ensure as much of the sugars are filtered into the wort mixture.

Flavoring 

From there, the wort is sent to a large tank called a brew kettle where it’s boiled for another hour. Hops and other spices are added to balance the sugar in the wort and boost the flavor. The wort is then cooled before yeast is added to begin fermentation. The yeast eats the sugars and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide inside. Once the yeast slows down and dies, the process is complete.

Fermenting 

Immature beer is placed in conditioning tanks for the aging process, which can last anywhere from a few days to several years, depending on the beer being made. Temperatures also vary depending on the beer selection. Ales are generally stored at room temperature while lagers are set in colder conditions.

Bottling 

Once the aging process is done, the beer is then bottled. The beverage can either be carbonated or made bubbly with natural carbon dioxide from the yeast. After this step, it is sent to your favorite bar where it joins their beer selection roster.

If you are looking for refreshing beer selections in Lincoln, NE, head to Lancaster’s Lounge & Off-Sale. The family-owned bar has provided delicious, affordable beverages to the public since 1989. The pub offers daily and weekly wine, liquor, and beer specials along with spacious seating and an outdoor garden area. They also have regular game nights with trivia, shuffleboard, pool, darts, and even karaoke. Call (402) 421-2474 for more on their offerings.