Society and Culture
In numerous societies, beer holds the distinction of being the most popular alcoholic beverage. Beer drinking is often accompanied by a variety of social traditions and activities, such as engaging in pub games like cards or darts, attending beer festivals, delving into zythology (the study of beer), embarking on pub crawls, touring breweries, participating in beer-centric tourism, or even beer rating endeavors. Drinking games like beer pong also enjoy widespread popularity. A relatively recent addition to the beer world is the profession of the beer sommelier, who educates restaurant patrons about different types of beer and their ideal food pairings.
Relaxed Inhibitions
Beer serves as a social lubricant in many societies, fostering conviviality and shared experiences. Its consumption is a global phenomenon, with breweries found in various parts of the world, including Middle Eastern countries like Syria and several African nations. Sales of beer consistently outpace those of wine, making it the second most popular alcoholic beverage overall.
A noteworthy study published in the Neuropsychopharmacology journal in 2013 revealed an intriguing finding: the taste of beer alone could stimulate dopamine activity in the brains of male participants, leading to a greater desire to drink more. The study involved 49 men who underwent positron emission tomography scans while a computer-controlled device sprayed tiny amounts of beer, water, and a sports drink onto their tongues. Remarkably, the taste of beer significantly increased participants’ craving for more, even though the alcohol content in the spray was insufficient to induce intoxication. The results demonstrated that the flavor of beer triggered a release of dopamine, highlighting the unique appeal of its taste.
Beer and Food
Certain breweries have developed beers specifically designed to complement various types of food. While wine writer Malcolm Gluck has debated the necessity of pairing beer with food, beer experts like Roger Protz and Melissa Cole have contested that perspective, emphasizing the delightful harmony that can exist between beer and culinary creations.
Other beer related drinks
Across the globe, a rich tapestry of traditional and ancient starch-based beverages falls under the category of beer.
Africa
In Africa, various ethnic communities craft beers from sorghum or millet, examples being Oshikundu in Namibia and Tella in Ethiopia.
Asia
Kyrgyzstan boasts its own millet-based beer, a low-alcohol, somewhat porridge-like concoction known as “Bozo.” In Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, and Sikkim, millet plays a key role in Chhaang, a popular semi-fermented rice and millet beverage cherished in the eastern Himalayas. Further east in China, one encounters Huangjiu and Choujiu, traditional rice-derived libations with ties to the world of beer.
South America
In the Andes of South America, Chicha is crafted from germinated maize (corn), while indigenous peoples in Brazil create Cauim, a time-honored elixir produced since pre-Columbian times. Cauim is made by chewing manioc, allowing an enzyme (amylase) present in human saliva to break down the starch into fermentable sugars. This process bears similarity to Masato, a beverage found in Peru.
Europe
Certain beers trace their origins to bread, a connection harkening back to the earliest iterations of beer. In Finland, Sahti is brewed using bread, while Kvass in Russia and Ukraine, as well as Bouza in Sudan, share this tradition. Some 4000 years ago, fermented bread was utilized in Mesopotamia. Inspired by these ancient recipes, food waste activists have adopted the practice of using leftover bread to replace a portion of the malted barley otherwise employed in crafting their artisanal ales.
Beer Continues to be a Favorite
Beer has a long and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years. From its origins in ancient Mesopotamia to its current status as one of the world’s most popular alcoholic beverages, beer has played an important role in human culture and society. The discovery of beer may have been an accidental find, and it was initially made at home by women. Beer has been enjoyed by many civilizations throughout history, including the Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Today, beer is a mass-produced and mass-consumed beverage, and it continues to be a beloved drink enjoyed by people all over the world.
A Brewed History
A 7 part series on the history of beer. We start at the beginning and work our way through the brewing, the industry, varieties, culture and more. Read all 7 parts!
Part 1 – A Brewed History – The Beginning
Part 2 – A Brewed History – Brewing
Part 3 – A Brewed History – Brewing Industry
Part 4 – A Brewed History – Varieties
Part 5 – A Brewed History – Measurement
Part 6 – A Brewed History – Serving, Packaging and Storing Beer
Part 7 – A Brewed History – Society and Culture (Current Page)