The four main ingredients used in beer production are malt, water, hops and yeast.

Malt

• The main grains used to make beer are barley and wheat, but rye, rice, corn et al. may also be used.
• The advantage of barley is the hull of the grain(around the kernel) that is low in protein, but rich in starch.
• Mainly malted grains are used for beer production.
• Barley is germinated, cleaned and dried in the course of malting.

YEAST

Yeast determines the type of fermentation:

• Lager or cold / bottom-fermenting yeast – works at temperatures from 7-12 °C.
• Ale or warm / top-fermenting yeast – works at temperatures from 15-25 °C.
• Wild yeast – works at cold temperatures; used mostly in Belgium.

HOPS

• Hops give beer its aroma and bitterish taste. The bitterness of beer is measured in IBUs (IBU = International Bitterness Unit).
• Are a natural preservative.
• Is one the sources of a beer head.

WATER

• Beer contains 95% of water.
• Water is the liquid that binds beer.
• Water can be soft or hard, and the quality and taste of the beer depend on it.