Brewing Beer Essay, Research Paper
BREWING BEER
People have been enjoying beer for centuries. Brewing beer started about 6000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. Back then, people brewed beer and baked bread similarly. These days, beer brewing has become a science.
Brewing beer is a complex biochemical process, part of which is fermentation. Fermentation of sugars and grains into ethyl alcohol is among the oldest known chemical processes used by man. There are four major ingredients used in brewing beer; water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. Sugar for the fermentation process is provided by the breakdown of starches in the hops and malted barley. Upon action by the enzymes present in the malted grains, the long chain starch molecules are broken down into simpler sugars which are fermentable and give beer its alcohol content. Longer chain sugars, called polysaccharides, are also formed. These sugars primarily give beer its body and sweetness.
The process begins with the preparation of the malted barley. Malted barley is a barley that has been allowed to germinate to a degree. Before the plant begins to rely on chlorophyll, the barley is dried and the rootlets are removed from the partially germinated seeds. During germination, the seed produces diastase enzymes that can convert starch into usable sugars. Trace elements necessary for the life cycle of yeast, such as Zinc and Calcium are also found in malted barley.
The malted barely is crushed to a suitable size for brewing, usually by using rollers. The purpose of this is to make the pieces small enough for the hot water to extract their flavor when it is added to make the wort. The wort is the mash, or mixture of assorted grains and water, that goes into the beer after it has been added to hot water and started to boil. Over grinding can make the barley very difficult to get out of the wort. Grinding or cracking the barley causes trace amounts of barley to enter the air and the process needs to be isolated from the vats used for fermentation.
The malted barley is mixed in appropriate proportions with hot water to begin preparation of the wort. Beer is made up of 90%-95% water.
The chemistry of the water used can effect both the flavor and the brewing efficiency of the beer. Excessive chlorine can greatly effect the other ingredients in the beer and can result in a harsh aroma and flavor. Boiling or filtration is often used to remove unwanted chlorine. The water used is usually hard. Hard water is water with a high content of minerals. A soft water can result in a milder flavor and aroma. Water hardeners such as table salt (NaCL) and gypsum (CaSO4) are sometimes added to soft water. Bacteria from the water can spoil the wort. This is usually removed through boiling.
The mixture of crushed malted barley and water is called the mash. The mash is put into a boiler and brought to a boil for around thirty minutes. The enzymes in the malted barley are reactivated by hydration and starch-to-sugar convergence is continued from germination.
The starch in the barley contains roughly 20% amylose and 80% amylopectin starches, which are very similar, but differ in molecular size and shape. Each contains up to a million glucose molecules tied together in a long chain creating a single starch molecule. Upon action by the enzymes present in the malted grains, malted barley and hops, diastase and amylase (also known as alpha amylase and beta amylase), the long chain starch molecules are broken down into simpler sugars, such as maltose (C12H22O11), glucose (C6H12O6), and maltobiose. These sugars are fermentable and give beer its alcohol content. Longer chain sugars, called polysaccharides, are also formed. These sugars primarily give beer its body and sweetness.
The grains are now extracted from the liquid. The end transparent liquid is a complex solution of sugars. Hops are now added to the boil. Hops are the cones or flowers of the female hop vine. The cones contain a resin called alpha acid that gives beer its bitterness flavor. Hops help to inhibit bacteria in beer, maintain flavor stability, and to retain the head of the beer. There are two main types of hops. Noble hops are low in bitterness and have a pleasant aroma and flavor. High-alpha hops have high bitterness but a less pleasant aroma. Today, the bitterness for each type of hops is rated by alpha acid units(AAU). It is calculated by the alpha acid percentage in the hops multiplied by the weight of the hops in ounces.
Continued boiling is necessary to extracts the hops’ bittering qualities. During this time the bittering resins dissolve into the mixture. Unwanted proteins coagulate and precipitate out the from the wort. The wort is now cooled and moved to fermenters.
Fermentation is the all important step of brewing. The initial stage of fermentation is an aerobic process, therefore it utilizes the free oxygen in the mixture. Yeasts derive energy from oxygen during its respiration stage. Oxygen is most important at this initial stage of the brewing process called the yeast’s respiration stage. If oxygen is not present during respiration, fermentation will not continue. The correct amount and type of yeast is added to the wort. During fermentation, yeast goes through its life cycle from beginning to end. It is in this stage that the beer gets its alcohol content and its flavor.
Yeast is a single-celled organism belonging to the fungus family. There are thousands of strains of yeast, but there are only two main types used for beer. These types are ale yeast and lager yeast. Most commercial beers add specific strains of yeast, but early brewers did not. They let the beer sit so that the yeast in the air would enter it. Today, Lambic brewers still use this process. Ale yeasts are sometimes called “top-fermenting” (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) yeasts. This is because they tend to flocculate at the surface of the beer in the beginning of the fermentation process. Ale yeasts prosper in the temperature rang of 55 – 75 degrees F. This type of yeast is used to make ales and stouts. Lager yeasts are sometimes called “bottom-fermenting” (Saccharomyces varum) yeasts. These yeasts tend to flocculate at the surface of the beer and then sink to the bottom of the fermenters. A temperature range of 32 – 55 degrees F is best for lager yeasts. This type of yeast is used to make lagers and steam beers. There are several conditions that must be kept constant if the yeast is to go through its life cycle properly. Temperatures should also be kept fairly steady. Yeasts don’t like sudden changes in temperature. If the environment that the yeasts in is to cold, their activity will slow down or stop completely. If the temperature is to high, it could kill the yeasts. Different liquid environments exert different pressures. The cell walls of the yeasts are delicate and require gradual transitions. Sudden changes in osmotic pressure could cause the yeasts to implode, explode, or go into shock. Osmotic pressure is the pressure that the liquid applies on the yeast cells. Most beer yeasts prosper in a pH of 5.0 to 5.5. However, this acidic environment should occur without any adjustments.
Throughout fermentation, yeast is going through its life cycle. The first stage is respiration. Yeasts are added to the wort and start to grow in the presence of oxygen. During this period, yeasts gain and store energy for use in reproduction and other activities. Yeasts gain energy from oxygen and sugars. Next, the yeast undergoes reproduction. Yeast reproduces through budding. The third phase is fermentation. When the oxygen is depleted, the yeasts go into anaerobic fermentation. During this phase, yeast loses energy by converting sugars to alcohol, carbon dioxide, and distinct flavor. At this time, yeast is dispersed and in a state of suspension in order to obtain maximum contact with the liquid beer mixture. The final stage is sedimentation. At this stage the yeast runs out of food and energy. It gathers and then seperates by settling to the bottom or floating to the top, essentially stopping all activities.
Within the first 24 hours in the fermentation vat, foam, called kraeusen, will be produced. This is the result of the yeast’s vigorous attack on the sugar. The yeast begins to multiply rapidly. Through the enzymatic action of the yeasts, it consumes the sugars and converts them into ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) and carbon dioxide (CO2), which then carbonates the beer. In addition to ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide, there is an estimated 2000 other by-products that make-up the distinct aromas and flavors of beer. These by-products are various esters, aldehydes, polyphenals, and higher alcohols. The pH of the wort now drops naturally from about 5.2 to the range of 4.0-4.3. This pH is crucial for keeping bacteria to a minimum and it aids in the flocculation of the yeast. The total time it takes for fermentation to complete is almost a week. During that time, the level of alcohol reaches a certain equilibrium, the fermentation process slows, the yeasts flocculate even more, the foam will diminish as the yeast depletes the sugar supply, and the newly fermented beer is cooled and transferred to conditioning tanks for aging.
Before storing, filtration or pasteurization is usually applied. Pasteurization is a method of preserving food. It involves heating the food to burn out all the bacteria. This will stop the food or drink from spoiling. If the pressure in the filter is to high during filtration, it will cause the filtration column to explode. High pressure can result from a cake of yeast on the trays not letting the beer pass. This can be prevented by adding diatomaceous earth to the brew to keep the pressure low. Diatomaceous earth is an algae that has a hollow structure similar to a skeleton. These hollow bodies allow the beer to continue past the cake.
There are hundreds of different types of beer, each one different from all the others. Special flavors can be achieved by what type of yeast is used and the AAU of the hops. Also, malts, such as caramel malt and chocolate malt, can be added to the beer for flavor. Lager beer, which is the most popular beer in the United States, is noted for its effervescence and golden color and has several different variations. Light beer is lager beer that has been specially brewed to reduce carbohydrates and calories. Pilsner beer is a lager that has a stronger hops flavor than regular lager. Dry beer is a lager that doesn’t taste as sweet as regular lager. Malt liquor is a lager with a higher alcohol content. Another popular category of beer is ale, which has a distinctive hop flavor and aroma. Finally there are dark beers. The three main types of dark beers are bock beer, porter, and stout.
One beer that is particularly unique is Lambic beer. Lambic beer is a very ancient beer style. Unblended Lambic beer has a rich flavor, quite different from other beers available today. It lacks some of the carbon dioxide and has a more sour flavor than today’s beers. Today, this sherry-like beer can only be tasted in a few pubs in and around Brussels. The wort in Lambic beer is composed of 60% malted barley and 40% unmalted grains. Lambic beer’s fermentation is wild, like its ancient predecessor. No yeast is artificially added to the wort. The wort is left open to the open air of the “Zennevali”. This causes wild yeast cells like Bretanomyces Bruxellensis and B. Lambicus which are always in the environment in Brussels to enter the wort and start a natural and spontaneous fermentation. Also, Lambic brewers use old dry hop, because they do not want the bittering quality but the preservative quality of the hops to enter the beer. Finally, Lambic brewers use wheat as their un malted grain. Lager brewers use young hop and uses corn or rice instead of wheat as the unmalted grain.
Brewing beer is a very complex chemical reaction, and has come a long way from when people first started to brew beer in their back yards. Around the world, people drink twenty-two billion gallons of beer a year. In the United States of America, people drink about twenty-four gallons a year. Now people add special ingredients to their brew to get certain flavors, beer brewing is studied to try and find ways to get rich flavors, and millions of people around the world are employed in the beer industry.
MIKE MARZIALE
BIOLOGY
PERIOD 2
BIBLIOGRAPHY
De Heersmaecker, Jacques. “The Mystery of Lambic Beer.” Scientific American,
275:74-81, Aug. 1996.
Internet Site 1:
bioc-www.uia.ac.be/u/pvosta/perbier1.html#other
Internet Site 2:
norwester/chemical.html
Internet Site 3:
eng.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/BREW2/brewproj.html
Internet Site 4:
eng.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/BREW2/page1.html
“World Book, Inc.” World Book Encyclopedia (1990), B volume II, 211.
“World Book, Inc.” World Book Encyclopedia (1990), F volume VII, 75.
“World Book, Inc.” World Book Encyclopedia (1990), P volume XV, 193.
Другие работы по теме:
Prohibition Essay Research Paper ProhibitionProhibition in the
Prohibition Essay, Research Paper Prohibition Prohibition in the United States was a measure designed to reduce drinking by eliminating the businesses that manufactured, distributed, and sold alcoholic beverages. The Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took away license to do business from the brewers, distillers, vintners, and the wholesale and retail sellers of alcoholic beverages.
Angelas Ashes Essay Research Paper What character
Angelas Ashes Essay, Research Paper What character traits made Malacy the man he is Malachy has a couple of traits that make him the man he is. First he is selfish. Second he is prideful. Lastly he loves his children.
Drunk Comparison Essay Research Paper Melissa AgelAfter
Drunk Comparison Essay, Research Paper Melissa Agel After around two hours in a bar the way I carry myself is definitely different from the time I walked in. I’ve never considered myself much of a drinker, especially before I came to college. I had never appreciated the way beer had tasted, or it could have been only because I was exposed to some of the more disgusting ones.
The Sumerians Essay Research Paper Cradled by
The Sumerians Essay, Research Paper Cradled by the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers in what is today Iraq, the Sumerians of Mesopatamia established the earliest known society in which people could read and write. Although the Sumerian’s gift of writing made possible the recording of history, Sumer itself was lost until a century ago, when the translation of cunieform tablets revealed a civilization and a language quite unlike the Semitic tongues of the Babylonians and Assyrians.
A Poem By Judith Smith Essay Research
Paper For every thing there must come a last. A last minute, a last hour, a last month, day, or year. A last drink, a last coke, a last tequila, scotch, or beer.
Cold War Essay Research Paper so now
Cold War Essay, Research Paper so now with the ficchis gone and pops meal mobile saved there was only one thing left to do…….. buy tickets for new yorks favorite hockey team, the strangers. they were taking on the mexico muskrats in what was sure to be the game of the century. it was game 7 of the bologna cup finals. the game was surrounded by controversy before it even started. muskrats captain julio “dirty” sanchez, had assaulted ranger captain mark messier in the locker room , messier was reported as saying, “first he pushed me then he gave me a reach around and then he called me a fagit.” oh the humanity. so brendan and chris are on their way to billy madison square garden to watch the game but brendan gets lost on the way and they end up in a highly rythmic neigborhood. luckily chris was holding onto the wiffle ball bat of justice in case any black kids were in trouble. fearing
Drugs Essay Research Paper In the American
Drugs Essay, Research Paper In the American life style psychoactive drugs are both accepted and criticized. This is due to the mixed signals that Americans send to our youth. As a society we accept certain drugs for medical use and reject people who use psychoactive drugs to get a high or buzz. Is there a difference if a person drinks a beer or takes a hit of LSD.
Riots Essay Research Paper The Penn State
Riots Essay, Research Paper The Penn State Riots America s college campuses are once again aflame. But, in the 1990 s, the riots are not fueled by politics, as they were in the 1960s, but by beer, liquor and drugs. University of Arizona, University of Maryland and Temple University have all recently experienced these unfortunate riots on their campuses, but it is truly at home with us, the students of the Pennsylvania State University.
Sake Essay Research Paper Beer was first
Sake Essay, Research Paper Beer was first mentioned in Japan in an historical record written in 1724 as a drink which came from the Netherlands. However, beer was not introduced to the Japanese public until the Meiji period. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), beer was first introduced to the Japanese public under the influence of the Western culture.
Beerpong Essay Research Paper Beer pong is
Beerpong Essay, Research Paper Beer pong is one of the most popular drinking games known to collegiate students across the country. This game is so often played in college life that most of the time, rules cannot be agreed upon because there are so many different versions. Everyone who plays the game knows a different set of rules, based upon what they had previously been taught.
Calculus Essay Research Paper Calculus
Calculus Essay, Research Paper Calculus “One of the greatest contributions to modern mathematics, science, and engineering was the invention of calculus near the end of the 17th century,”
Public Health Plan Essay Research Paper Wellness
Public Health Plan Essay, Research Paper Wellness Plan Quiz 2 Jim xxxxxxxx Public Health I would recommend a lot of changes for this patient, including exercise, change of diet, and cessation of his smoking habit, to name a few. This patient should use a lumbar support pillow in his chair at work, as well as a foot support, to alleviate strain on his lower back form sitting all day.
Drinking Cause And Effect Essay Essay Research
Paper Intoxication isn’t necessarily a negative thing, but rather a pleasant as well as popular state of being. An intoxicated person can be a “good drunk” or a “bad drunk”. If the drinker consumes the right amount of alcohol he/she will have no unpleasant after-affects. When intoxicated, a person can be a very social and pleasant person, and it also decreases one’s shyness towards the opposite sex.
Prohibition Essay Research Paper Prohibition One of
Prohibition Essay, Research Paper Prohibition One of the most controversial, the Eighteenth, and later, its repeal, the Tweny-First amendment, made a big impact on America, and their ideas are still talked about today. Prohibition has had many different view points from the beginning. Prohibition started long before the Eighteenth Amendment.
The Typical Aussie Essay Research Paper I
The Typical Aussie Essay, Research Paper I am here to talk to you today about the typical australian, or if you prefer, the typical aussie. Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world, today. Not only for its
Of Famine And Green Beer Essay Research
Paper Many people today feel the celebration of St. Patrick?s Day is mostly associated with corned beef, cabbage and lots of beer. Some would add that parades including step dancing and music filled with the blare of bagpipes are integral to the festival as well.
Creative Writing Beer And Drugs Make People
Suck Essay, Research Paper Creative Writing: Beer and Drugs Make People Suck There is a weak smoke rising up over the treetops. The golden sun is on its way down in west and on a little campsite in the woods, can Dan see a little
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Beer Pong Essay Research Paper This will
Beer Pong Essay, Research Paper This will explain everything an individual needs to know about the game of beer pong. Beer pong requires no strength or skill, but demands the prowess of a
Substance Abuse Essay Research Paper Counselor Name
Substance Abuse Essay, Research Paper Counselor Name: dhbiggs Clients Name: Jack Smith A. SUBSTANCE ABUSE HISTORY A diagnostic summary was completed on 10/6/96; Jack Smith is a 41-year-old white male currently living in a small community in southern Ohio. Jack came into the agency involuntarily; his involvement with the agency is a requisite of probation for assault and domestic violence.
A HowTo Narrative For English Comp Essay
, Research Paper The population of the United States made some serious sacrifices during World War II. Gasoline rationing caused a major upheaval in the taxi and trucking industry and production of non war related item was curtailed. Sugar was limited to minuscule amounts on certain days of the month and people hoarded it as if it were gold.
English Comp Paper Essay Research Paper EN
English Comp Paper Essay, Research Paper EN 1103-57Composition #3/ Prompt #1 P.447April 8, 1999 One of the most remarkable aspects of living in the United States of America is being able to participate in the free enterprise economy. Just think about all the different types of products that are available to each individual, the choices are almost endless.
Alcohol Advertising Essay Research Paper Every time
Alcohol Advertising Essay, Research Paper Every time you turn on the television you are more than likely to come across a beer commercial. Beer commercials “show how much fun it is to drink and how popular it makes you” ( Monroe, 2). The ads depict young, beautiful people partying and having a good time, but is this truly what happens when you consume alcohol? By drinking alcohol, will you be transported to a wonderful world of beautiful women and good times? The ads beer companies produce try to make the consumer believe that what happens to the people in the ad will happen to them if they consume that particular product.The most common type of beer ads shows average men meeting and socializing with beautiful, glamorous, young women and having a good time.
Most Embarassing Moment Essay Research Paper My
Most Embarassing Moment Essay, Research Paper My most embarrassing moment that I am willing to share would have to be the time when I went to the Junior/Senior prom. I was a junior and my date was a senior. I decided that it would be cool to bring a six pack of beer along so that we could drink it before the dance. So were driving along and next thing I know, there is blue and red flashing lights in my rear view mirror.
Buddhist Economics Essay Research Paper Buddhist EconomicsMost
Buddhist Economics Essay, Research Paper Buddhist Economics Most people think that religion and economics don?t mix. So you would think the same in the case with Buddhism and economics. But actually the there is a set of rules that go along with our modern day economics that have their own meanings. Buddhists believe that spiritual health and well being go hand in hand.
Bob 2
Bob – Definition Essay, Research Paper To celebrate Bob’s nineteenth birthday, his friends decide to drag him to a bar and fill him with beer. Bob reluctantly agrees. The group gathers at a table and orders a pitcher of beer. Bob, the birthday boy, is designated to have the first drink. Bob watches nervously as his friends fill his glass with beer. “Drink up Bob!” Bob’s friends say with enthusiasm.
Pop Art Essay Research Paper Pop Art
Pop Art Essay, Research Paper Pop Art, visual arts movement of the 1950s and 1960s, principally in the United States and Britain. The images of pop art (shortened from “popular art”) were taken from mass culture. Some artists duplicated beer bottles, soup, cans, comic strips, road signs and similar objects in paintings, collages, and sculptures.
Binge Drinking Essay Research Paper One of
Binge Drinking Essay, Research Paper One of the most serious problems in today’s youth is drinking. Amoung high school and college students a popular and very dangerous kind of drinking. Binge
Peer Pressure Essay Research Paper Chris Clay
Peer Pressure Essay, Research Paper Chris Clay English 300Peer Pressure Peer pressure is one of the biggest battles that I had to fight while I was in high school. Peer pressure effects may teens around the world, some good and some bad. Peer pressure effected my life in a not so good way, but changed my life for the better and helped me realize that it is easy to say no.
The History Of Beer Essay Research Paper
Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about the history of beer. Central Idea: To learn the full concept behind the history of beer, you must have a full understanding of everything from the natural roots of where beer drinking began to what it has progressed to in today’s society. In this speech you will be able to obtain this knowledge.
History Of Beer And Beer Making Essay
, Research Paper The beer we drink today has a very interesting and long history. The earliest time tracked on the making of beer can be traced back to approximately six thousand years to the Sumarians of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumarians discovered a fermentation process when apiece of bread was left in water for a period of time and began to ferment.
Alcohol Warnings Essay Research Paper The FDA
Alcohol Warnings Essay, Research Paper The FDA is considering additional warnings on beer and alcohol bottles, such as: WARNING: consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
How To Make The Perfect Cup Of
Coffee Essay, Research Paper Process Analysis ?How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee? Kate Reiland It?s the mandatory wake-up call, the focal point of social gatherings, dessert after a fine meal and the notorious drink for last minute cram sessions. Coffee has driven its way to become one of the vital threads in the fabric of our lives.
Micro Breweries Essay Research Paper Gillooly 1Brian
Micro Breweries Essay, Research Paper Gillooly 1 Brian Gillooly Grand English 1a 29 April 1999 Micro Breweries Micro brews have taken America by storm lately. Their popularity has increased dramatically in the past few years. While their overall production of beer is far less than that of the macro brew beers, their popularity has more than doubled in the past few years.