|
Fermentation is the process of deriving energy from the oxidation of organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, using an endogenous electron acceptor, which is usually an organic compound. This is in contrast to cellular respiration, where electrons are donated to an exogenous electron acceptor, such as oxygen, via an electron transport chain. Fermentation does not necessarily have to be carried out in an anaerobic environment, however. For example, even in the presence of abundant oxygen, yeast cells greatly prefer fermentation to oxidative phosphorylation, as long as sugars are readily available for consumption.
Sugars are the common substrate of fermentation, and typical examples of fermentation products are ethanol, lactic acid, and hydrogen. However, more exotic compounds can be produced by fermentation, such as butyric acid and acetone. Yeast carries out fermentation in the production of ethanol in beers, wines and other alcoholic drinks, along with the production of large quantities of carbon dioxide. Fermentation occurs in mammalian muscle during periods of intense exercise where oxygen supply becomes limited.
Fermentation, as a step in the brewing process, starts as soon as yeast is added to the cooled wort. This is also the point at which the product is first called beer. It is during this stage that sugars won from the malt are metabolized into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Fermentation tanks come in all sorts of forms, from enormous tanks which can look like storage silos, to five gallon glass carboys in a homebrewer's closet.
|
Charlie Papazian
Charles N. "Charlie" Papazian is an American nuclear engineer who founded the Association of Brewers and wrote The Complete Joy of Homebrewing.
In 1979 Papazian founded the Association of Brewers and remained President of that organization until 2005, when the Association of Brewers merged with the 63-year-old Brewers Association of America, and Papazian was named President of the combined organization. Papazian also founded the American Homebrewers Association in 1978, and remains President of that organization as of August 2005. Other organizations and annual events subsequently founded by Papazian include the Institute for Brewing Studies, Brewers Publications, the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup, and Zymurgy magazine.
In 1984, Papazian wrote his first book on the subject of homebrewing, titled The Complete Joy of Homebrewing. As of August 2005, The Complete Joy of Homebrewing has seen 25 reprintings, 3 editions, and has sold over 900,000 copies. As the first (and, for over a decade, the only) mass-market book to provide in-depth information on subject of how to brew beer in the home, The Complete Joy of Homebrewing was very often the sole source of homebrewing information for novice homebrewers. Consequently, the book has gained iconic status among the homebrewing community, and is frequently referred to as the "homebrewer's bible." Papazian has since written five more books.
|
Singha
Produced by Boon Rawd Brewery
Singha (Thai: สิงห์, correctly pronounced sing or singh, but typically pronounced by foreigners to Thailand as sing-ha) , is a 6% alcohol-by-volume (abv) pale lager. It is also available in 6% abv draught version as Singha Lager Draft, and the new 3.5% abv Singha Light introduced in 2006.
Beginning in September 2007, a 5.0% (abv) version of Singha Lager has replaced the 6.0% (abv) original version that has earned the Singha name its reputation. This new version, while still brewed in Thailand by Pathmthani Brewery Co., Ltd., proclaims on its labelling to have been brewed under the supervision of Singha Corporation Co., Ltd. instead of Boon Rawd Brewery Co. Ltd. The last known fill date for Singha Lager 6.0% bottles sold in the United States is October 18, 2007.
Beer production capacity is 1 billion liters per year. Until recently Singha was the best selling beer in Thailand, but is now challenged by the less expensive and more potent (6.4% abv) Beer Chang, brewed by ThaiBev (formerly the Beer Thai Company).
In 2007, Boon Rawd camp has regained its throne of beer market leadership in Thailand.
|
|
.svg){kind=small}
