Beer Definitions

Beer - is a fermented beverage made from barley malt or other cereal grains. From the Latin dibere (to drink). Lager beer is a light, dry beer. Ale is heavier and more bitter than lager. Bock beer, porter and stout are progressively heavier, darker, richer and sweeter.

Barrel - is a standard unit of volume. A US barrel is 31.5 gallons while a British barrel is 43.2 gallons.

Fermentation - is the process during which yeast converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide

Hops - is the small cone shaped flower of a vine (humulus lupulus). Some varieties contribute mainly bitterness to brews, while others contribute aromas. Hops was originally used to preserve beer.

Keg - is a measure of volume. A keg of beer contains 1,984 ounces.

Lager - is a beer style made with bottom fermented yeast and is generally smooth and crisp.

Light Beer - is reduced-calorie beer created by removing dextrine, a tasteless carbohydrate. Although beer, wine and spirits all contain calories, their consumption does not appear to increase weight!

Malt Liquor - is not liquor or a distilled spirit of any kind. It is a beer with higher alcohol content and often sweeter taste than most other beers.

Wheat Beer - is produced from a mash that includes wheat. The resulting beer varies from light and fruity in the US to a dark bock in Germany

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