The main ingredient used in making beer is malted barley. Barley is processed through malting, where it is soaked, germinated, and then dried. This process converts starches in the grain to sugars, which are essential for fermentation. After malting, the grains are crushed, and the resulting malt is typically combined with water and hops to create wort. The wort is then fermented using yeast, which consumes the sugars and produces alcohol and carbonation. Although there are variations that include other grains, malted barley remains the most common base for beer production.