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    Beer Brewing 101

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    • Introduction to Brewing
      • 1.1History of Brewing
      • 1.2Introduction to Craft Beer
      • 1.3Beer: Ingredients and Styles
    • Understanding Brewing Ingredients and Equipment
      • 2.1Water
      • 2.2Grains and Malt
      • 2.3Hops
      • 2.4Yeast
      • 2.5Overview of basic equipment and its usage
    • Mashing and The Boil
      • 3.1Mashing Process
      • 3.2Sparging and Lautering
      • 3.3The Boil & Hop Additions
    • Fermentation
      • 4.1Yeast Pitching and Fermentation
      • 4.2Types of Fermentation
      • 4.3Controlling Fermentation
    • Clarification and Carbonation
      • 5.1Introduction to Clarification
      • 5.2Clarifying Agents & Techniques
      • 5.3Beer Carbonation
    • Bottling & Kegging
      • 6.1Bottling Basics
      • 6.2Kegging Basics
      • 6.3Sanitation for Bottling and Kegging
    • Recipe Formulation
      • 7.1Creating your first recipe
      • 7.2Recipe Calculations
      • 7.3Experimenting with Ingredients
    • Troubleshooting Brews
      • 8.1Common Problems & Fixes
      • 8.2Beer Off Flavors
      • 8.3Ingredient Substitutions
    • Beer Styles & Taste Profile
      • 9.1Understanding Beer Styles
      • 9.2Taste Profiles
      • 9.3Beer Pairing
    • Advanced Brewing Techniques
      • 10.1All Grain Brewing
      • 10.2Barrel Aging
      • 10.3Sour Beers
    • Homebrewing Equipment
      • 11.1Essential Homebrewing Equipment
      • 11.2Advanced Homebrewing Equipment
      • 11.3Cleaning & Maintenance
    • Craft Beer Business Basics
      • 12.1The Craft Beer Industry
      • 12.2Starting a Craft Beer Business
      • 12.3Marketing & Distribution
    • Roundup and Next Steps
      • 13.1Review of Course Concepts
      • 13.2Your Next Brewing Steps
      • 13.3Community Groups and Further Learning Opportunities

    Introduction to Brewing

    Introduction to Craft Beer

    Craft beer is more than just a beverage; it's a cultural phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. This unit will provide an introduction to craft beer, its characteristics, its role in society, and how it differs from commercial beer.

    What is Craft Beer?

    Craft beer is a term used to describe beer that is brewed by small, independent, and traditional breweries. The Brewers Association defines a craft brewer as a brewer that produces less than 6 million barrels of beer annually and is less than 25% owned or controlled by an alcoholic beverage industry member that is not itself a craft brewer.

    Characteristics of Craft Beer

    Craft beer is known for its quality, flavor, and brewing technique. Unlike mass-produced commercial beers, craft beers focus on quality over quantity. They are often made with traditional methods and high-quality ingredients. Craft brewers take pride in their creativity, often experimenting with different ingredients and brewing techniques to create unique flavors and styles.

    Craft Beer vs. Commercial Beer

    The main difference between craft beer and commercial beer lies in the scale of production, ownership, and the quality of ingredients. Commercial beers are produced on a large scale and are often owned by multinational corporations. They tend to use cheaper ingredients and additives to reduce costs and increase shelf life. On the other hand, craft beers are produced on a smaller scale by independent breweries. They prioritize quality over cost, often using premium and local ingredients.

    The Craft Beer Industry Today

    The craft beer industry has seen significant growth over the past few decades. According to the Brewers Association, there were 8,386 craft breweries in the United States in 2019, up from just 537 in 1994. This growth is driven by a consumer shift towards products that offer quality, flavor, and local production.

    The Role of Craft Beer in Society and Culture

    Craft beer plays a significant role in society and culture. It promotes local economies by creating jobs and supporting local suppliers. Craft breweries often become community gathering places, hosting events and contributing to local charities. They also promote environmental sustainability by using local ingredients and minimizing waste.

    In conclusion, craft beer is a dynamic and exciting field that offers a wide range of flavors and styles. It represents a shift towards quality, flavor, and local production, and plays a significant role in local economies and communities. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or an aspiring brewer, understanding craft beer is essential to appreciating the art and science of brewing.

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    Next up: Beer: Ingredients and Styles