Understanding Beers
A beer is defined as an alcoholic beverage. It is made from four ingredients namely; water, barley, hops and yeast. Barley is the main ingredient that gives beer its color and taste. The sugar in barley is mostly converted into alcohol. Hops lend natural preservative to beer along with bitterness and a range of aromas and flavors. In the production process, barley is allowed to germinate where starch burns into sugars, then dried and roasted in a kiln. It is then added water and malted barley.
Hops are then added into the hot, sweet liquid before fermentation takes place. The resultant mixture is then boiled in a kettle. The mixture is then allowed to ferment for 7-10 days. The fine mixture is thereafter carbonated and bottled. There are two types of beer, Ale and Lager, Ale is what is at the top fermenting and includes; porters, stouts and wheat beers. Lager on the hand is what is at the bottom fermenting and includes; pilsner, Bock and double bock.
It is interesting just to discover how easily the beer making process is. I always thought the different types of beer are made separately. Knowing that they are only separated by the distance of fermentation in a jar is quite a revelation. And then again there can be two types of fermentation. That inside a fermentation jar and that which that can be allowed to take place inside a bottle after bottling. The simplicity in the making of beer makes one to think of starting a beer making industry just inside his house though in small portions. It was great learning process.
Wine and Beverage Management
There are several factors that affect the taste of wine. These include; grape variety, soil, climate, viticulture, oenology, physical location and the luck of the year. Grape is the main ingredient in the making of wine and which determines the taste of wine. Several factors are considered while choosing what type of grape to use in particular making of wine. The species, variety, clone; cross and hybrid are factors determining the taste of grape. Looking at the plant itself, it undergoes a series in its life cycle throughout the year. It begins with the Dormant, then the bud-break, followed by flowering, then maturity, then harvest and back to dormancy again.
Grape is grown under several types of soils. These include; chalk, sandy, gavel, flint, limestone and sandstone. It is also grown in clay, silt, sand and rock and stone. These soils should show, heat retention, fertility, minerality and drainage. Grapes enjoy where there is latitude, elevation, aspect and where there is proximity to water. Effective growth of grapes undergoes viticulture and oenology processes. Viticulture is the science of growing grapes that include vineyard management, life cycle of the vine among others. Oenology is the scientific study of wine and wine making. It includes harvesting, sorting, fermentation, blending, fining and filtering then aging. Grapes are affected by the insect Phylloxera that feeds on the roots and injects its waste into the roots.
In the production of fine wine that is of top quality, commands that the source of grapes should be high class. I have at least understood why some of these farms that grow grapes put very strict emphasis on quality growth. The care and tending of this plant is no mean feat. It is a very sensitive plant that demands an all-round care and observation.
