zymurgy

Noun

zymurgy (usually uncountable, plural not attested)

1. (no plural, usually) Synonym of zymology (“the chemistry of fermentation with yeasts, especially the science involved in beermaking and winemaking”).
   • ZYMURGY. A name applied to that department of technological chemistry which treats of the scientific principles of wine-making, brewing, distilling, and the preparation of yeast and vinegar,—processes in which fermentation plays the principal part.[1869, Henry Watts, “ZUMURGY”, in A Dictionary of Chemistry and the Allied Branches of Other Sciences. […], volumes V (Quadrantoxide–Zymurgy), London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC, page 1086
   • With great interest I learn from a pamphlet by Mr. Georg Barth, expert in zymurgy at Munich, which I have received lately, that the author, in his essay on "The Best Method of Storing Hops," arrives at the same conclusions which I have drawn in this article.1899 December, Constanz Schmitz, “Cold Storage of Hops”, in Ice and Refrigeration: A Monthly Review of the Ice, Ice Making, Refrigerating, Cold Storage and Kindred Trades, volume XVII, number 6...

   Synonyms:

   zymology

2. (no plural, usually) The practice of using fermentation to produce alcoholic beverages.
   • Of Zymurgy I little know, / Perhaps because I little knead, / And can but make a sorry show / In singing liaisons of feed, / Flour, fodder,— […]1896 June, “Clacks [An Excellent Recipe for Making Brown Bread]”, in The Clack Book, volume I, number 3, Lansing, Mich.: Wells & Hudson, →OCLC, page 83
   • Of course, tastes in brewing have changed (and diversified) since zymurgy’s early days. For example, hops are now considered a staple beer ingredient, but their use was considered illegal by the Brewer’s Guild in England until the late fifteenth century.1996, Patrick Higgins, Maura Kate Kilgore, Paul Hertlein, “Introduction”, in The Homebrewer’s Recipe Guide: More than 175 Original Beer Recipes, including Magnificent Pale Ales, Ambers, Stouts...