The ordinary beer of commerce, made from pure barley malt and hops, has approximately the following composition:

Composition of beer percent

Alcohol..........................................................

............4.0

Unfermented carbohydrates

Extractives........................................................

............6.0

Protein..............................................................

............0.5

Ash...................................................................

............ 0.5

Water...............................

.......... 89.0

Beers that are made of malt substitutes differ in chemical composition from the malt beers chiefly in the diminished content of protein or nitrogenous matter. The quantity of ash is also less, provided common salt is not added in the process of manufacture. In other words, the food value of beers is diminished when malt substitutes are employed.