Aiping Yu¹ , Zefeng Guo² , Wei Liu³

1 Hangzhou Cheerday Brewery Co., LTD, Chun'an, 311700, Zhejiang, China
2 Enterprise Research Institute, Hangzhou Cheerday Brewery Co., LTD, Chun'an, 311700, Zhejiang, China
3.Beer Museum, Hangzhou Cheerday Brewery Co., LTD, Chun'an, 311700, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 5   
Received: 28 Aug., 2024    Accepted: 30 Sep., 2024    Published: 12 Oct., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare), an ancient grain crop, originally grew in the wild and has undergone long-term domestication to become an essential crop in modern agriculture. Widely cultivated across the globe, barley plays a critical role in beer brewing, where its ability to serve as a fermentable sugar source makes it indispensable in the brewing process. This study explores the botanical evolution and domestication history of barley from its wild grain origins to its foundational role in modern beer brewing. The specific objectives include analyzing barley’s morphological characteristics, ecological adaptability, and domestication process, investigating the selection of Malting Barley varieties and their specialized applications in brewing, and further revealing barley’s cultural and historical impact on agriculture and brewing. The research shows that barley’s morphological structure and genetic traits have undergone significant changes during its domestication, particularly in terms of adaptability and yield performance. Additionally, specific barley varieties have shown enhanced enzyme activity and saccharification efficiency, providing better raw material for beer brewing. By gaining a deeper understanding of barley’s biological traits and its domestication history, this study will provide a scientific basis for the improvement and breeding of Malting Barley. In the context of global climate change, improving barley’s stress resistance and brewing quality holds substantial agricultural and economic value. Moreover, this research highlights barley’s profound influence on human society, culture, and economic development. 

Malting Barley; Barley domestication; Brewing process; Genetic improvement; Stress resistance