Beer

Beer is an alcoholic beverage made by brewing and fermenting cereal grains, most commonly malted barley, with yeast.

Beer is an alcoholic beverage made by brewing and fermenting cereal grains, most commonly malted barley, with yeast. It is typically flavoured with hops and is one of the world’s oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic drinks.

What it is

Beer is an undistilled fermented beverage made from cereal grains. The basic components are water, a fermentable starch source (usually malted barley), yeast, and a flavouring such as hops. Other grains like wheat, maize, rice, and oats are also used.

How it's made

Brewing involves malting, mashing, boiling, cooling, fermentation, and maturation. During fermentation, yeast converts grain sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Hops add bitterness, aroma, and act as a preservative. Modern beer is often carbonated and sold in bottles, cans, or on draught.

Why it matters

Beer is one of humanity’s oldest alcoholic drinks, with origins reaching into prehistory. It remains a major global beverage and a significant part of Canadian retail, hospitality, and brewery culture. Beer is widely consumed in Canada and comes in many styles, from ales and lagers to stouts and porters.