Editing Beer (section)

{{Short description|Alcoholic drink made from fermented cereal grains}}
{{About|the alcoholic drink}}
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{{Use British English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}

[[File:GravityTap.jpg|thumb|[[Schlenkerla]] Rauchbier, a traditional [[smoked beer]], being poured from a [[cask]] into a [[Beer glassware|beer glass]]]]
'''Beer''' is an [[alcoholic beverage]] produced by the [[brewing]] and [[Fermentation (food)|fermentation]] of [[starch]]es from [[cereal]] grain—most commonly [[malt]]ed [[barley]], although [[wheat]], [[maize]] (corn), [[rice]], and [[oat]]s are also used. The grain is mashed to convert [[starch]] in the grain to [[sugar]]s, which dissolve in water to form [[wort]]. Fermentation of the wort by [[yeast]] produces [[ethanol]] and [[carbonation]] in the beer. Beer is one of the oldest and most widely consumed [[alcoholic drinks]] in the world, and one of the most popular of all drinks<!--hard or soft-->. Most modern beer is brewed with [[hops]], which add bitterness and other flavours and act as a natural [[preservative]] and [[stabilizing agent|stabilising agent]]. Other flavouring agents, such as [[gruit]], herbs, or fruits, may be included or used instead of hops. In commercial brewing, natural carbonation is often replaced with forced carbonation.

Beer is [[Beer distribution|distributed]] in bottles and cans, and is commonly available on [[Draught beer|draught]] in pubs and bars. The brewing industry is a global business, consisting of several dominant [[Multinational corporation|multinational companies]] and many thousands of smaller producers ranging from [[Microbrewery#Brewpub|brewpubs]] to [[regional brewery|regional breweries]]. The strength of modern beer is usually around 4% to 6% [[alcohol by volume]] (ABV).

Some of the earliest writings mention the production and distribution of beer: the [[Code of Hammurabi]] (1750 BC) included laws regulating it, while "The Hymn to [[Ninkasi]]", a prayer to the [[Mesopotamia]]n goddess of beer, contains a recipe for it. Beer forms part of the culture of many nations and is associated with social traditions such as [[beer festival]]s, as well as activities like [[pub game]]s.