A Short History of Beer
These days we are spoilt for choice when it comes to beer. Whether local or international, massive breweries or micro breweries, it’s almost impossible to not find at least one beer we will like.
Much like any other alcohol, beer does have its humble beginnings. And from these humble beginnings it has emerged as the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. So where did it all start?
The origins of beer
According to studies, it’s believed that beer first came into being around 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, with 8,000 years ago being the most popular summation. This means that beer has at least been around in some form since about 6,000 BC, with its beginnings believed to have taken place in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt.
According to historians, it was ancient African, Egyptian and Sumerian tribes that first brewed alcohol. It is said that Sumerians actually discovered fermentation purely by chance, but how this chance discovery happened is not exactly known.
The Alulu Beer recipe is known as the first beer recipe to ever be written down. It came from the Sumerian City of Ur in Ancient Iraq and was written around 2,050 BC.
The global expansion of beer
From ancient tribes such as the Egyptians, beer then made its way into ancient Rome and Greece. As the centuries and millennia past, beer than expanded across all of medieval Europe and then across countries as the result of the numerous colonisations.
The result is that almost every country – if not every country – in the world brews and sells beer both to the local and international markets. While various spirits are more popular in Europe, beer leads the popularity pack in Australia, New Zealand, most of the Americas and a strong chunk of Africa.
Given its international reach, we have been exposed to various forms of brewing and even the way in which beer is served. In England, for example, it’s not uncommon for English Ales to be served at room temperature, whereas Australians love their beers chilled.
Thus concludes our shortened version of beer’s very rich history. What’s your favourite beer? Let us know in the comments below.
* Image source: Naypong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
My favourite beer is Wizard Smiths by Boags. If you can somehow source it and sell it in Brisbane, then I would be a very regular customer!
Favourite beer – Westvleteren (Belgium)
Next – Old Hookey from Hook Norton U.K.
Best Italian – Forst
Best Australian – Coopers Sparkling Ale and Fat Yak (deadheat)
Best American -You’ve got to be joking.
Hey Ash,
We will be launching a new online store for Purple Palate in the near future. There will be a large catalogue of national and international beers available for purchase. So be sure to look out for that!