Beer

Beer is a carbonated alcoholic beverage brewed from fermented grains with a foamy head. Flavor ranges from malty and bready to hoppy and bitter, adding lift to batters, depth to braises and stews, and a subtle tang to breads and marinades. Sold mostly in bottles and cans across styles like lager, ale, stout, and pilsner (3–9% ABV), but some are clarified with isinglass or other animal finings, so suitability for vegetarians varies.

Brewing dates to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt and was refined across Europe, especially Germany, Belgium, and Britain, before spreading worldwide through industrial and craft production. In cooking, it is common in Central and Northern European dishes and North American pub fare influenced by these traditions.