Beers and Brews
Beers and brews are beverages that are produced by a process called fermentation. In fermentation, yeast is used to change the sugars in a mixture into alcohol. Beer making begins by allowing grains (such as barley) to sprout. These sprouted grains are called malt. Malt is mixed with water and the dried flowers of a vine (hops). Yeast is added to this mixture of malted grains, hops, and water, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide gas (carbonation). Beers generally contain 2 to 9 percent ethyl alcohol, although some may contain as much as 15 percent. Various types and flavors are created by adding different combinations of malts and cereals and allowing the process to continue for varying lengths of time.
Beer was an important food to the people of the Near East probably as far back as 10,000 years ago. The making of beer and of bread developed at the same time. Ancient Egyptians and ancient Romans valued beer, but the ancient Greeks preferred wine. Once the art of brewing reached England, beers and ales became the preferred drink of rich and poor alike. Beer was carried on the Mayflower, and American colonists quickly learned to make their beer with Indian corn. Much U.S. beer is still made with corn, although rice and wheat are also used in the mix with barley malt.
World and U.s. Consumption of Beers and Brews
About 128.6 billion liters of beer were commercially produced in the world in 1997. The United States led the world in beer production,producing 23.6 billion liters of beer in 1997. China followed with 17.0 billion liters, and Germany rounded out the top three in beer production volume with 11.5 billion liters. For the same year, the Czech Republic drank the most beer, consuming 161.4 liters per person. Other countries leading in beer consumption were the Republic of Ireland(152.0 liters per person) and Germany (131.2 liters per person). A 1999 study reported that the United States led the world in beer consumption, consuming over 17 billion liters. The top three brewers for 1997 were Anheuser-Busch, Heineken, and Miller Brewing.
Beer is the preferred form of alcohol among young people in the United States. In a national survey of more than 75,000 students in grades 6–12, conducted in between 2000 and 2001, 24.5 percent of junior high school students and 54.4 percent of senior high school students reported drinking beer in the past year. Among 12th graders, 40 percent reported drinking beer in the past month, compared to46.4 percent who reported drinking any kind of alcohol in the past month. A recent study of drinking patterns and behavior revealed some interesting insights into beer drinking. The study compared drinkers of beer, wine, and distilled spirits. According to the authors of this study, beer drinking accounts for most of the hazardous alcohol consumption (defined as occasions in which five or more drinks were consumed in a day) reported in the United States. Moreover, hazardous beer consumption is more likely to lead to alcohol-related problems than hazardous consumption of wine or spirits.
Alcohol: Chemistry; Alcohol: History of Drinking.
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