Beer
Beer is an alcoholic drink made from grain, hops, water, and yeast.
First, grain such as barley or millet is malted. This means it is allowed to grow into seedlings before it is dried and crushed. Other cereal grains like corn or wheat are then added, along with hot water, which turns the mixture into a mash. The liquid that runs off from the mash is put into a large container and boiled with dried hop flowers. Hops give beer its special flavor. Other flavors can be added. When the liquid cools, yeast is added and the brew is left to ferment. This is when the alcoholic content of beer forms.
The main ingredient of beer made in North America and Europe is barley. Millet or corn is often used in Africa, and the Japanese make beer from rice.
People have been making and drinking beer for almost 6,000 years. The Sumerians, who lived in what is now Iraq, left the earliest written records about brewing beer. Later civilizations, including the ancient Egyptians, grew special types of grain to make beer. Ancient people drank beer for its alcoholic content and because it helped to keep them healthier and kept them from going hungry.
In Britain, monks were brewing beer by 543 A.D. In the 1400s, women brewed beer as one of their household duties. Some of them made such good beer that other people bought it from them. By the 1700s, large breweries were making and selling beer.
People drank beer because there was not much else to drink. Clean drinking water was hard to find, especially in big cities like London, until sewage systems were built. In the meantime, men, women, and children drank beer at every meal, including breakfast.
Today, beer is still brewed and enjoyed in every part of the world.
A. True or False. Read the statements below. If the statement is true, write T beside the sentence. If it is false, write F. If it is false, correct the information.
- People have been making beer for about 600 years. F
- North America and Europe use the same main ingredient in their beer. F
- The first written records about beer making came from the ancient Egyptians. F
- Women used to make beer as one of their household duties. true
- In the past, it was common for children to drink beer. true
- What gives beer its special flavor? hop flowers.
B. The Process of Making Beer – Put the following statements in the correct order.
When the liquid cools, yeast is added.
Grain grows into seedlings
The brew is left to ferment.
The liquid that runs off the mash is put into a large container.
The seedlings are dried and crushed.
The alcohol content of beer forms.
The liquid is boiled with dried hop flowers.
Other cereal grains and water are added which turns the mixture into a mash.
C. Practice asking and answering the following questions with your partner. Then write theanswers in complete sentences.
- What gives beer its special flavor? hop flowers
- How does Japanese beer differ from North American beer? Japanese beer is made of rice but North America makes them from grain.
- Why did ancient people drink beer? Ancient people drink beer to keep them from going hungry.
- When did large breweries start making beer? In 1700s
- Why did many people drink beer with every meal in the 18th century?
Because it was healthy.
VOCABULARY REVIEW
A. Choose the word(s) with the closest meaning to the underlined words in the following
sentences.
- Hops gives beer its special flavor.
a) jumping b) type of plant c) mash - When hot water is added to the grains, the mixture turns into a mash.
a) a soft substance b) beer c) crush - When yeast is added, the brew is left to ferment.
a) get cold b) have a chemical change c) boil - Ancient people drank beer to stay healthy and keep from going hungry.
a) young b) rich c) from long ago - In order to make beer, a grain such as barley is first malted.
a) bought b) allowed to grow into seedlings c) boiled
B. Match the words on the left with the correct meaning on the right.
1. seedling a) responsibility; work one is supposed to do
2. yeast b) press into smaller pieces or powder
3. ingredient c) a member of a religious community
4. monk d) a young plant
5. brewery e) a substance like water; not a solid or gas
6. sewage f) something used to hold things
7. duty g) a place where beer is made
8. container h) a substance used in cooking or baking that
causes chemical changes
9. crush i) waste material carried off through pipes
10. liquid j) part of a mixture
1-d
2-h
3-j
4-c
5-g
6-i
7-a
8-f
9-b
10-e
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Is beer a popular beverage in your country? What is more popular, beer or wine?
Beer is a popular drink in our country. Beer is more popular than wine. - Is it legal for children to drink alcohol in your country? Can children buy alcohol legally in your country? If not, what is the age requirement?
No its not. You can ddrink berr since you are 18. - Do you think it was harmful for children in the 18th century to drink beer at every meal?
Yes - In some countries beer is sold only in liquor stores. In other countries you can buy it in grocery stores or even from vending machines. Do you think there should be any restrictions on where beer is sold? Explain your answer.
Yes because beer is alcohol. - Do you think it is a good idea to sell beer at sporting events or large concerts?
Yes
Արտյոմ Մանուկյանի ուսումնական բլոգ 