Why we drink beer
Beer is one of the earliest prepared beverages consumed by humans. The thought is that it originates in the Neolithic period about 10,000 years before Christ. This is roughly the same period in human history where grains began to be farmed.
Beer brewing recipes vary widely and it can be brewed from a wide variety of grains. These days, malted barley is the most popular main ingredient in beer although rice has both historic and contemporary uses in the process of brewing beer. Other additions to beer have been (and still are) fruit, honey, spices, aromatic flowers and even things like coffee beans. There is no end to the varieties of beers that exist.
Belgium by far is considered one of the best beer countries to visit. In fact, they boast over 150 brews in that tiny little country. When visiting, make sure to visit some small towns to find out what’s the local brew. Chances are, they have one. This is one of the many reasons that I never buy it when someone says they don’t like beer. With so many choices, how can you generalize that you don’t like something as delicious as beer?
Germany as well is another country to which we owe a lot for the modern standard of beer drinking. It was Germany that instituted the Reinheitsgebot, a law that states beer can only be brewed from hops, barley and water. All other beer brewing recipes, as a result are not considered true beers.
Monasteries are credited with developing some of the truly greatest beers this world has to offer. You see, once upon a time, monasteries were the main bakers for towns. Brewing beer would yield a yeasty residue that would fall to the bottom of a keg. This yeast was collected and used in the baking of bread. Granted, I’m sure that celibate men welcomed the alcoholic beverage for other reasons too.
But it was the Czechs that are the true founders of what we call lager today — the majority of what we usually are talking about when we refer to beer. Before 1842, beer brewing recipes resulted in a cloudy, sometimes sour product that was gritty and not so pleasing. When my husband and I visited the world famous Pilsner Urquell brewery in Pilsen, Czech Republic, we learned that it was a brewer at the brewery that developed the crystal clear golden beverage we now call lager and sometimes pilsner.
Today, Pilsner Urquell and Czech beers in general are my favorite beers to drink. They are light and crisp. While they don’t taste alcoholic and aren’t even filling, they certainly pack a wallop! For whatever reason, the ones exported to the U.S. just aren’t the same. So if you get anywhere in Eastern Europe, try to check out the Czech Republic. Any beer you have there will be a treat!
Tell me, what are your favorite beer countries? Have any interesting beer stories to tell? I’d love to hear more from you about what you have discovered and enjoy. I’ll be sure to post some of my experiences too!