Beer is made from four main ingredients: grains, hops, yeast, and water. The grains used in beer are usually malted barley, although other grains such as wheat, rice, corn, oats, and rye can also be used. The grains are soaked in water to release their sugars, which are then converted into alcohol during the fermentation process. The hops are added to the mixture during the brewing process to provide bitterness and aroma to the beer. Yeast is added to the mixture to begin the process of converting the sugars of the wort into alcohol, while also releasing CO2. Different strains of yeast can also affect the flavor of the beer in different ways. Water is also a crucial ingredient in beer, as it makes up to 95% of the final product. The quality of the water is important, as it can have varying levels of mineral content that can affect the taste of the beer.

Grains give beer three important qualities: malt flavor and aroma, color, and enzymes that convert malt starch into sugar. The method of drying can make different colors and flavors of malt. The color of the grains will drive the color of the final drink, whether that’s a light blonde lager or a stout that’s dark as the night sky. Other components in the beer called dextrins affect the viscosity of the drink, also known as the mouthfeel, and the proteins they contain contribute to the thickness of the head on top of your pint.

In summary, beer is made from a combination of grains, hops, yeast, and water, and the different combinations of these ingredients create the huge variety of beer styles available today.