Brewer’s base WSJ Crossword Clue

Think of what transforms grains into something drinkable.

???? is a mixture of crushed malt or grain and hot water, used in brewing and distillation to convert starches to sugars.

In brewing, '????' is the mixture of crushed grains and water that forms the base for fermentation, making it the brewer's foundational substance. The clue uses 'base' to indicate something fundamental or essential in the brewing process.

Classic TV series with asterisks separating the letters of its name, Bangers and ___, classic British pub fare, Crush (food), Squish to a pulp, as potatoes, Reduce to a pulp