Brewing and distilling are the two main methods of producing alcoholic beverages on the market today. Brewing is used to produce beer, while distillation is used to produce alcoholic beverages such as whiskey and vodka. But, fermentation is a process that uses plant sugars to produce ethanol, which can be used in brewing and distilling. Brewing and distilling are often confused, but there are clear differences between the two practices. Brewing is the process of making beer from grains such as wheat and barley, while distillation is the process of extracting fermented beverages such as beer and wine and separating the alcohol from them. Both methods must a lot of skill and knowledge to produce a quality product.
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The Difference Between Fermentation and Distillation – Process and Product
When talking about wineries vs. breweries, it is important to mention that distillation is the process of taking a fermented beverage, such as beer or wine, and separating the alcohol from it. This is done by heating the fermented beverage and collecting the condensed vapors containing alcohol. It is then cooled and collected in separate containers. Distilling is slightly more complicated than brewing. It involves several steps:
- First, the fermented beverage is heated in a still. This is done to boil the alcohol and convert it into vapor.
- Next, the vapor is collected in the condenser. This is a device that cools vapor and changes it back into liquid form.
- Finally, collect the liquid in a separate container. This is usually done using a device called an alcohol safe, which measures the amount of alcohol collected.
Alcoholic fermentation and distillation process
Malting
Grains must be “activated” before being used for fermentation. The seeds need to germinate before the bacteria can do their job. The grains are “soaked” or soaked in water to prepare them for the germination process. After sprouting, the grains dry out as starch-digesting enzymes get to work.
Milling
During the fermentation process, the malted grains need to be ground to expose more of their surface. This is what commercial breweries do and some amateurs try to replicate at home. But, if you go to a specialty store that sells home brewing equipment and ingredients, they will grind the grains for you.
Brewhouse
Soaking the grains in hot water will help convert them into the sugars needed to make alcohol. This is because when hot water activates enzymes, starch is converted into sugar. To avoid this step, you can buy malt extract already crushed.
The difference between distillation and fermentation
injection
The mash is rinsed to dilute the alcohol and mellow the flavor, a process called lautering. This process clarifies the beer to about 5% alcohol by volume and separates the crushed grains from the liquid, creating a fermented beverage. Beer has a much lower alcohol concentration than distilled spirits such as whiskey, so this process is only required for beer.
boiling
The bubbling process is like the fermentation process in that the former is used for fermentation and the latter is not. Wort, or the fermented liquid removed from the mash, can be sterilized by boiling, and the acidity of hops added to moderate the flavor of the fermented grains can be suppressed by the boiling process. But, the flavor of spirits does not come from added substances such as hops, so this process is unnecessary.
bottling
Soaking the grains in hot water will help convert them into the sugars needed to make alcohol. This is because when hot water activates enzymes, starch is converted into sugar. To avoid this step, you can buy malt extract already crushed.
distillation
Unlike fermented beverages such as beer, spirits undergo a distillation process. Distillation is the process of boiling an alcoholic beverage to increase its concentration and alcohol content. So, whiskey (a distilled spirit) can sometimes have an alcohol concentration of up to 45%, while beer has an average alcohol concentration of 5%.
in conclusion
Alcoholic beverages such as whiskey and vodka are distilled, while beer is made by brewing. Fermentation, but, is used in brewing and distillation to convert plant sugars into ethanol.Fermentation is induced by adding yeast to the plant product and sealing the container. Too to beer and spirits, wine is also produced through fermentation. Beer can be stored in a barrel of whole grain for several months before use. Brewing beer is faster and easier by skipping the mash.
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