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[[Image:Beer.jpg|right]]'''Beer''' is an [[alcoholic drink]] produced through [[fermentation]] of [[sugar]]s derived primarily from [[malt|malted grains]].  The primary [[grain]] used is usually malted [[barley]], although some styles of beer use malted [[wheat]] or [[oats]] as the primary grain.

[[Image:Beer.jpg|right]]'''Beer''' is an [[alcoholic drink]] produced through [[fermentation]] of [[sugar]]s derived primarily from [[malt|malted grains]].  The primary [[grain]] used is usually malted [[barley]], although some styles of beer use malted [[wheat]] or [[oats]] as the primary grain.

The four major ingredients of beer are [[water]], [[malt]], [[hops]] and [[yeast]].  The particular combination, amount and variety of each of these ingredients determine the final flavor, alcoholic strength and style of the finished beer.

The four major ingredients of beer are [[water]], [[malt]], [[hops]] and [[yeast]].  The particular combination, amount and variety of each of these ingredients determine the final [[flavor]], alcoholic strength and style of the finished beer.

Although almost all modern beer styles use [[hops]], early European brewers originally added spices such as rosemary, coriander, ginger, anise seed, and juniper berries to their beers to impart more complex flavors.  Hops are used primarily used today because the bitterness derived from the hops tend to counter-balance the sweetness derived from the malt, and provide a more balanced flavor.  Hops may also be added to beer to impart a floral or spicy aroma and flavor.  Another benefit early brewers found was that hops also tended to help preserve their beers longer than unhopped beers.  

Although almost all modern beer styles use [[hops]], early European brewers originally added spices such as rosemary, coriander, ginger, anise seed, and juniper berries to their beers to impart more complex flavors.  Hops are used primarily used today because the bitterness derived from the hops tend to counter-balance the sweetness derived from the malt, and provide a more balanced flavor.  Hops may also be added to beer to impart a floral or spicy aroma and flavor.  Another benefit early brewers found was that hops also tended to help preserve their beers longer than unhopped beers.  

Lagers are cold [[fermentation|fermented]] with the [[Saccharomyces pastorianus]] variety of [[yeast]], typically between 46 and 56 F.  Complete fermentation of lager beers takes from six weeks to nine months.  This brewing technique originated in [[Germany]],  where the word ‘lagern’ literally means "to store".  Common styles of lager beer are Pilsner and Bock. Most beers brewed by the major American breweries are lagers.

Lagers are cold [[fermentation|fermented]] with the [[Saccharomyces pastorianus]] variety of [[yeast]], typically between 46 and 56 F.  Complete fermentation of lager beers takes from six weeks to nine months.  This brewing technique originated in [[Germany]],  where the word ‘lagern’ literally means "to store".  Common styles of lager beer are Pilsner and Bock. Most beers brewed by the major American breweries are lagers.

Ales are fermented with the ‘S. cerevisiae’ variety of yeast, at temperatures higher than lagers, typically between 55 and 75 F.  The higher fermentation temperature of ales tends to produce beers with a more complex, fruity flavor, usually derived from [[ester|esters]] produced by the yeast during fermentation.  Common varieties of ales include Pale Ale, Stout and Porter.

Ales are fermented with the ‘S. cerevisiae’ variety of yeast, at temperatures higher than lagers, typically between 55 and 75 F.  The higher fermentation temperature of ales tends to produce beers with a more complex, fruity [[flavor]], usually derived from [[ester|esters]] produced by the yeast during fermentation.  Common varieties of ales include Pale Ale, Stout and Porter.

==Styles==

==Styles==