In the context of
brewing, milling refers to the process of grinding malted grains or other raw materials into smaller particles that are more suitable for use in the
brewing process. Malt, which is the primary ingredient in beer, is made from barley that has been soaked in water, allowed to germinate and then dried in a kiln.
The malted barley is then sent to a mill where it is crushed into smaller pieces, sometimes called grist. The size of the grist is an important factor in the
brewing process, as it will affect the overall flavor and quality of the finished beer.
One of the main reasons for milling the malt is to expose the starchy interior of the grain to the hot water used in the
brewing process. This allows the enzymes in the malt to break down the starches into sugars, which can then be fermented by yeast to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide.
There are several different types of mills used in the
brewing industry, including roller mills, hammer mills, and disc mills. Roller mills, which use two or more rollers to crush the grain, are the most common type of mill used by
breweries.
In addition to malted barley, other grains such as wheat, oats and rye can also be milled for use in
brewing. Some
breweries even use adjuncts such as corn or rice to add extra flavor or improve the mouthfeel of the beer.
Overall, milling is a critical step in the
brewing process that plays a key role in determining the quality and character of the finished product. By grinding malted grains into the proper size and consistency,
brewers are able to achieve the desired flavor profile and ensure that their beer is of the highest quality.
Brewing