A Brief History of Beer: Humanity's Oldest Brew

Long before wine swirled in Roman goblets or whiskey aged in oak barrels, beer flowed through the heart of civilization. In fact, beer is one of the oldest prepared beverages in the world — with roots stretching back over 7,000 years.

Ancient Origins

The first traces of beer date back to ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), where the Sumerians brewed a rudimentary version using fermented grains. They even had a goddess of beer, Ninkasi, and a hymn to her that doubled as a recipe — making it one of the oldest known beer “manuals.”

Beer in these early days was quite different from what we sip today. It was often thick and porridge-like, consumed through straws to filter out grain husks.

Egyptian Brews and Beyond

The Egyptians refined brewing, incorporating beer into daily life and religious rituals. It was a staple of workers’ diets — even the laborers who built the pyramids were paid partly in beer. Meanwhile, brewing traditions spread across the ancient world: from Nubia to China, and from the Celts of Europe to the Indus Valley.

Medieval Magic

In medieval Europe, beer became a safer alternative to water, which was often contaminated. Monasteries were centers of brewing excellence, where monks experimented with recipes and introduced hops to improve flavor and preservation. This hop-forward transformation began around the 9th century, changing beer forever.

Industrial Innovation

The Industrial Revolution brought mechanized brewing, refrigeration, and scientific control over yeast fermentation. In 1857, Louis Pasteur’s work on yeast paved the way for modern microbiology and consistent beer production.

Lagers, which require cold fermentation, gained popularity thanks to new refrigeration technology — giving rise to many of the world’s biggest beer brands.

Modern Renaissance

Today, beer is a global beverage with thousands of styles and countless breweries — from small-batch craft operations to multinational giants. It’s a symbol of community, creativity, and culture, constantly evolving but always rooted in history.

Cheers to beer — the drink that built pyramids, inspired hymns, and fueled revolutions.