Brewing raw materials—definitions: In malting and brewing, what is the correct definition of “grist”?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Coarse powder produced by milling malted barley before mashing

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Clear terminology in brewing helps distinguish each stage from malt to mash to wort. “Grist” is a fundamental term that connects malt handling with extract production during mashing.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Malt is first milled.
  • Milling aims to crush endosperm while preserving husk integrity for lautering.
  • The milled product is used to create fermentable extract.


Concept / Approach:
Grist is the milled malt ready for mashing. When mixed with hot liquor (water), enzymatic conversion produces soluble sugars and other solubles that will become wort. The term “wort” refers specifically to the liquid extract after mashing and separation; “hot break” refers to protein coagulation during boiling; “spent grains” are the solids left after lautering.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify process order → malt → grind → mash → lautering → boil.Map terms → grist = milled malt; wort = liquid extract; spent grains = lauter residue.Choose the option defining grist as the coarse milled malt ready for mashing.


Verification / Alternative check:
Brewing manuals consistently define grist as the milling output used in mashing; the term is not used for the liquid extract.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Aqueous extract of malt: That is wort, not grist.Malted barley prior to milling: Simply malt.Coagulated protein: Hot break, not grist.Spent grains: Solid residue after lautering, not before mashing.


Common Pitfalls:
Using “grist” and “wort” interchangeably; forgetting that grist refers to solids before extraction.



Final Answer:
Coarse powder produced by milling malted barley before mashing.

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