• Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the world. It is brewed by fermenting a starch (such as barley or wheat) and steeping it in liquid infused with hops. In January 2009, beer makers reported that the industry was being impacted by the world-wide slow down in demand as a result of global economic problems. The greatest drop in demand was noted in the United States and Europe.FOX News: Beer Sales Go Flat... (January 16, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Oldest alcoholic beverage
  2. World's most popular beverage
  3. Alcohol by volume: 3 to 30%
  4. Largest American brewery: Anheuser-Busch
  5. Beer Brewing Process: Mashing, Sparging, Boiling, Fermenting
  6. Most modern beer is a pale lager
  7. Stout uses roasted malt or barley
  8. Most expensive beer: Vielle Bon Secours (about $1,000 per bottle)
  9. Moderate beer intake by men and women over 60 prompts greater bone densityLiveScience.com: Wine and Beer May be Good for Your Bones (March 7, 2009)

• Beer Styles

  Beer can vary based on the yeast and fermentation process. Ale is brewed with what is known as a top-fermenting yeast at a higher temperature to induce quick fermentation. This produces a beer with a fruity, aromatic flavor.

  Lager is produced in the opposite way, through a slow fermentation process at lower temperatures. This produces a beer with fewer flavors and more of a crisp taste.

• Bestselling Brews

  Budweiser is the top-selling beer in the world, while Bud Light holds that distinction in the United States. Bud's parent company, Anheuser-Busch, is one of the world's largest brewers, though InBev and SABMiller hold the top two spots.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Alcoholic Beverages | How to Brew Your Own Beer In 7 Simple Steps | How to Make Hard Cider | Wine | Budweiser | Drinking Games | Guinness | Heineken | Red Stripe | Hops | Home Brewing | Malt Extract | Beer Day | Beer Shakes | How to Play Beer Pong | Christina Perozzi | Ales | Lagers | Marcelino de Jesus Martinez | How to Open Beer with Beer | Popcorn Sutton

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