The Science of Brewing (broadcast Friday, May 16th, 2008)

Live from Milwaukee, WI--Ira talks with beer experts about the trick to good foam. (Credits: Photography by MA Shumin, Flora Lichtman. Video produced by Flora Lichtman) See More Videos

Take a tour of Lakeside Brewery in Milwaukee, WI and find out how brewers turn barley and hops into a bubbly beverage. (Credits: Still images from USDA ARS Image Gallery, Library of Congress, Scott Ehardt. Photography by Annette Heist, Flora Lichtman. Produced by Flora Lichtman) See More Videos

It's beer that made Milwaukee famous -- and in this hour, live from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ira and guests raise a glass to the science of brewing beer. How do yeast, water, hops and grain combine to form a lager, pilsner, or ale?

The steps in the brewing process seem simple: malting (allowing the barley to partially germinate followed by a roasting process), mashing (heating the grain in water, to convert some of the starches into sugars), and fermentation (converting the sugars into alcohol). But the actual process is quite complicated, requiring tightly-controlled conditions supervised by a master brewer. You need the right temperatures, the right times, and the right ingredients to get that brew to turn out right.

This hour we've rounded up the region's best brewmasters to talk about the science of brewing beer, and learn some tips for making your own home brewed treats. We'll also find out how expert beer tasters judge a good brew. Plus, what is it about Wisconsin that made it a center for brewing? We'll talk with the author of a book on Wisconsin's best brews about the natural resources and cultural heritage that put this state on the beerlover's map. We're visiting as the guests of Wisconsin Public Radio. Find out more at their site. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.