Beer: the age-old gold – from discovery to contemporary beer culture
PublicThe accidental discovery of fermented grain
The earliest humans discover by chance that grain that has become damp can ferment into an alcoholic drink.
beer in ancient Mesopotamia
The Sumerians develop one of the first written beer recipes and celebrate beer in the Hymn to Ninkasi.
beer brewing in ancient Egypt
The Egyptians elevate beer brewing to an advanced craft and use it as a means of payment and offering to the gods.
monasteries become centers of the brewing craft
Medieval monks refine brewing techniques and lay the foundation for systematic and quality beer brewing in Europe.
hops become the standard bittering and preservative agent
The introduction of hops into the brewing process drastically changes the taste and shelf life of beer.
The Reinheitsgebot is issued
Duke William IV of Bavaria issues the famous German Reinheitsgebot, decreeing that beer may only be made from water, barley and hops.
The invention of pilsner in Plzeň
Brewer Josef Groll creates the first clear, bottom-fermented lager beer, which becomes known worldwide as pilsner.
Pasteur unravels the secret of fermentation
Louis Pasteur scientifically demonstrates that yeast is responsible for fermentation, leading to better control over the brewing process.
rise of industrial beer brewing
Technological innovations such as steam engines, refrigeration and bottle filling make large-scale, industrial beer production possible.
The rise of the modern craft beer movement
Small, independent breweries are bringing artisanal diversity back to the world of beer in response to mass production.
hops become the standard bittering and preservative agent
Before the introduction of hops, brewers used a mix of herbs called 'gruit' to flavor and preserve beer. Hops, however, proved to have superior antibacterial properties, making beer last longer and easier to transport. German and Dutch brewers played a key role in spreading the use of hops throughout Europe. This innovation not only drastically changed the taste of beer, but also had major economic consequences as hop cultivation became an important agricultural activity.