What is the process of preparing grain for the production of beer called?

The process of preparing grain for the production of beer is called malting. During malting, grains—typically barley—undergo a controlled germination process where they are soaked in water, allowed to sprout, and then dried. This process activates enzymes in the grain that convert starches into fermentable sugars, which are essential for the brewing process. The dried grain, now called malt, provides both the sugars needed for fermentation and contributes to the flavor and color of the beer.

Milling, while it is an essential step that occurs after malting, involves crushing the malted grain to expose the starches for fermentation but does not involve the initial preparation of the grain itself. Brewing refers to the entire process of making beer, encompassing malting, mashing, boiling, and fermentation. Fermenting is the specific stage in brewing where yeast is added to the wort (the liquid extracted from the malt) to convert sugars into alcohol and carbonation. Thus, malting is a distinct and critical first step in beer production, making it the correct answer.