Barth (chemistry, West Chester U.) offers this accessible summary of beer chemistry for brewers, scientists, and lay beer enthusiasts alike. After some historical introduction and a brief overview of the beer-making process, several chapters orient the reader to basic concepts of chemistry, special properties of water molecules and acid-base reactions, and selected strands of organic chemistry relevant to beer. Milling, mashing, wort separation, boiling, and fermentation steps in the brewing process are then described in chemical terms. The later chapters discuss measurement of carbohydrates, alcohol, pH, and other properties of the beer, the chemical basis of flavor, style, mouthfeel, and stability, and the impact of packaging choices. The last chapter gives recommendations and warnings for home-brewing. Annotation ©2014 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Discover the science of beer and beer making
Ever wondered just how grain and water are transformed into an effervescent, alcoholic beverage? From prehistory to our own time, beer has evoked awe and fascination; it seems to have a life of its own. Whether you're a home brewer, a professional brewer, or just someone who enjoys a beer, The Chemistry of Beer will take you on a fascinating journey, explaining the underlying science and chemistry at every stage of the beer making process. All the science is explained in clear, non-technical language, so you don't need to be a PhD scientist to read this book and develop a greater appreciation for the world's most popular alcoholic drink.
The Chemistry of Beer begins with an introduction to the history of beer and beer making. Author Roger Barth, an accomplished home brewer and chemistry professor, then discusses beer ingredients and the brewing process. Next, he explores some core concepts underlying beer making. You'll learn chemistry basics such as atoms, chemical bonding, and chemical reactions. Then you'll explore organic chemistry as well as the chemistry of water and carbohydrates. Armed with a background in chemistry principles, you'll learn about the chemistry of brewing, flavor, and individual beer styles. The book offers several features to help you grasp all the key concepts, including:
- Hundreds of original photographs and line drawings
- Chemical structures of key beer compounds
- Glossary with nearly 1,000 entries
- Reference tables
- Questions at the end of each chapter
The final chapter discusses brewing at home, including safety issues and some basic recipes you can use to brew your own beer.
There's more to The Chemistry of Beer than beer. It's also a fun way to learn about the science behind our technology and environment. This book brings life to chemistry and chemistry to life.
