Beer is an alcoholic beverage which is produced using grains and consumed globally. It is brewed by fermenting a starch, such as barley or wheat, steeping it in liquid infused with hops and carbonating it with yeast.http://www.faqs.org/faqs/beer-faq/part1/section-2.html
In January 2009, beer makers reported that the commercial industry was being impacted by the worldwide slowdown in demand as a result of global economic problems. The greatest drop in demand was noted in the United States and Europe.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,480093,00.html In 2010, domestic and imported beer sales fell again by 2.7%. However, craft brewers reported a consistent rise in sales since 2008 as well as the establishment of 100,000 new craft beer industry related jobs.http://www.brewersassociation.org/pages/business-tools/craft-brewing-statistics/facts
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.http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style
Best-selling Beers
According to Plato Logic beer market specialists, Snow, a Chinese beer, was the best selling beer in the world in 2008. However, the title was disputed, because Anheuser-Busch InBev insisted that Bud Light was the real single trademark champion, as Snow is available in many varieties. And the world's largest brewing company claimed that the Budweiser line of beers, which includes Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime and Bud Select, were still the number 1 brand of beer. No matter which really is the bestselling brew of beer, one thing is certain--China is the world's largest beer market in the world. It had overtaken the United States earlier in the decade. The Chinese beer market, now 50% bigger, is dominated by the Snow range of beers. The other top selling beer brands include Skol of Brazil, Corona of Mexico, and Heineken of the Netherlands.http://www.utalkmarketing.com/Pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=13562&Title=Chinese_brand_tops_list_of_world%E2%80%99s_best_selling_beers
How Beer is Made
In this National Geographic documentary short film, the process of beer making is explained. All the players in the brewing process are covered, from the grain ingredients to the human resources and to the process itself, in the setting of a modern beer brewery. Accordingly, the essence of brewing beer hasn't changed much for thousands of years.
References
Fast Facts
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Date of origin
Agricultural Revolution
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Ethnic origin
The common beer originated in the Middle East.
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Commonly served with
By itself or along with various types of food; commonly with pizza in America
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Commonly served as
A stand-alone drink
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Brewing Process
Mashing, sparging, boiling, fermenting
