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Most beer is flavored with hops, which add bitterness and act as a natural preservative. Other flavorings, such as fruits or herbs, may also be used. The alcoholic strength of beer is usually 4% to 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), but it may be less than 2% or as much as 12%.

The two main types of beer are lager and ale. Ale is further classified into varieties such as pale ale, stout, and brown ale. Alcoholic beverages that are distilled after fermentation, are fermented from noncereal sources such as grapes or honey, or are fermented from unmalted cereal grain are not classified as beer.

Beer is the world's oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea.It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of starches which are mainly derived from cereal grains — most commonly malted barley although wheat, maize (corn), and rice are also used.

The production and consumption of alcohol occurs in most cultures of the world, from hunter-gatherer peoples to nation-states. Alcoholic beverages are often an important part of social events in these cultures. In many cultures, drinking plays a significant role in social interaction — mainly because of alcohol's neurological effects.

An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption. In particular, such laws specify the minimum age at which a person may legally buy or drink them. This minimum age varies between 16 and 25 years, depending upon the country and the type of drink. Most nations set it at 18 years of age.

Beer is part of the drinking culture of various nations and has acquired social traditions such as beer festivals, pub games, and pub crawling.