Beer is the world's most widely consumed[1] and probably the oldest[2][3][4] alcoholic beverage; it is the

third most popular drink overall, after water and tea.[5] The production of beer is called brewing, which
involves the fermentation of starches, mainly derived from cereal grainsmost
commonly malted barley, although wheat, maize (corn), and rice are widely used.[6] Most beer is
flavoured with hops, which add bitterness and act as a natural preservative, though other flavourings
such as herbs or fruit may occasionally be included. The fermentation process causes a
natural carbonation effect, although this is often removed during processing, and replaced with forced
carbonation.[7] Some of humanity's earliest known writings refer to the production and distribution of
beer: the Code of Hammurabiincluded laws regulating beer and beer parlours,[8] and "The Hymn
to Ninkasi", a prayer to the Mesopotamian goddess of beer, served as both a prayer and as a method of
remembering the recipe for beer in a culture with few literate people.[9][10]

Beer is sold in bottles and cans; it may also be available on draught, particularly in pubs and bars. The
brewing industry is a global business, consisting of several dominant multinational companies and many
thousands of smaller producers ranging from brewpubs to regional breweries. The strength of beer is
usually around 4% to 6% alcohol by volume (abv), although it may vary between 0.5% and 20%, with
some breweries creating examples of 40% abv and above.[11] Beer forms part of the culture of beer-
drinking nations and is associated with social traditions such as beer festivals, as well as a rich pub
culture involving activities like pub crawling, and pub gamessuch as bar billiards.

beer

spirits