| MadSci Network: Chemistry |
This is a big question. For a thorough understanding of the process, try
consulting a homebrewing book...the Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papazian
is a good one.
Overall, several steps make up beer production. Grains which contain
starches are used to produce sugars, which are then acted upon by yeasts
to generate alcohol, carbon dioxide and water. Various flavors including
hops are added. Final carbonation occurs either by forcing carbon dioxide
into the beer (what happens to most of the beers that you buy in the
store) or by addition of a little sugar to the bottle just before bottling
(called "bottle conditioned beers") which is further acted upon by the
yeast to yield carbonation.
The grains contains starches, which the yeast is unable to act upon. The
grains also contain enzymes, which are species which can convert the
starches to sugars. You have enzymes in your saliva, for example. These
enzymes in the grains become activated when they are warmed. Hence, the
grains are soaked in warm water to generate sugars ("food" for the
yeasts). Flavors include hops (a bitter herb) and roasted grains.
I hope this helps.
Please email me if you have further questions: weibelm@battelle.org
Best Regards,
Mike
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