Beer Word of the Week: Barley

Without Barley we wouldn't have beer. It is only behind water as an essential ingredient. As a plant it is a member of the grass family and is considered one of the major cereal grains. 

 

When heated in water it's enzymes create proteins and starches creates sugars. This fermentable sugar is what the yeast will use to create alcohol in the future beer. This creates what is called a malt.

Some malts are created for the base of the beer or are more specialty malts that can add sweetness or others a roasted character. Dark malts add color to Porters or Stouts.