Carboy - A fermentor shaped like a drinking water tank. Can be made in glass or plastic. Glass is preferred, but costs considerably more.

Fob - Old word for "froth," found on the top of beer.

Fermentation - A process where yeast consumes sugar and as a byproduct produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. The yeast multiplies in the process.

Hops - A flower used to impart bitterness and keeping properties to beer.

Hydrometer - Measures the difference in gravity (density) between pure water and water with sugar dissolved in it by flotation.

Mashing - The reaction between the enzyme diatase and starch which produces fermentable sugars. The first phase of all grain brewing. The crushed (mashed) grains are soaked in water and steeped for various lengths of time.

Mash Tun - Container, used to hold all grain brewing ingredients during mashing.

Sparge - The second phase in all grain brewing. The wort is separated from the grain (husks) by sprinkling water on to the grain bed.

Trub - Sediment found at the bottom of the fermenter. Contains:- dead yeast, cold break, hot break and hop particles.

Wort - Unfermented beer. Pronounced "Wert or wart."

Zymurgy - The science of fermentation and brewing.