A Brief history of Beer

[Bad_Boy]

This post was inspired by Kritters' entry here citing Benjamin Franklin's preference for the beer over water (city dwelling in Teutonic London and later industrialized centers left water less than potable), so I've found a general reference here:

Pubs.com. This article briefly touches on the Sumerian recipes for beer in addition to the possible archaeological evidence of beer in both China and Africa, and the later development of beer in Egypt. This also explains some of the proceses and developments in modern beer brewing.
Of course, they are in the business of selling.....Beer

The word "honeymoon" came from the Teuton custom of beer consumption as cited here:
homecooking.about.com

Here's a dryer reference to general beer-vo-lution:

arikah.com Publisher/Registerant: G Hort, Bangkok THAILAND.

Cheers

BB
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Late edit expands content of articles

[Kritters]

Good stuff, BB, thanks! (hic)

Sad thing is that nothing has changed! The water is probably worse than EVER and with the addition of flouride we have the added bonus of a toxic carcinogen!!!

Kritts

[ladycolorado]

Even the ancient Egyptians and monks of old brewed beer. In older civilizations the water was terrible. They also were richer, less intoxicating had food value. Even children in ancient Egypt would get some because of these more benign propteriies compared to today. Here is about the ancient Egyptians and alcohol: http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kun...t_alcohol.html . Here is the monks current struggle with beer and taxation: http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...eer-usat_x.htm . The monks also invented Roulette so think must have been fun despite manitory silences and periods of prayer and all. In the old days alcohol was supposed to be medicinal and have some nutrient value. Nowadays, with excess in America and the "give me stimulus now" attitude and over synthenization, why so many alcoholics. They feel empty inside. The first intent of nutrients and fortification have been sadly lost thus. If one wants a superior beer look to local microbeweries or a good import, such as an ale. Here is some about the history of alcohol and drinking around the world: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Con...114796842.html . (LC)

[Bad_Boy]

Thekeep.org? Interesting:

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=802018

http://whois.jcsearch.com/?q=thekeep.org

Modern beer isn't all that different from one made in Sumer

For those actually worried about the nutritional content of beer, here's one to consider: Chapter 5, pp 98-99
Personally, I prefer to eat something.
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Late edit:

Added additional links

Interesting that one automatically assumes excess these days. I'm one that's proud to exclude myself from instantaneous gratification because my art and situation demands it (that includes....inhales with a gasp here...turning my cell phone off!).

[ladycolorado]

I too abstain. Some interesting stuff though. I do not condemn or judge others however. In excess has devastaing health consequences including shutting down the liver and destroying it in excess. But think on this: for years scientists could not figure out why dying of heart attacks Those in Italy regarding diet all the mondo carbs, mondo fat in foods.They discovered that mild intake of red wine, olive oil, garlic was why. I am not trying to justify alcohol but just highlight some history. I do not wish however to be like Prohibition , it created the Mafia, and did not work. People sought out grain alcohol, and went blind due to bootleggers. I think sometimes the Europeans more enlightened than us. America is like a bratty child, versus a nice middle aged uncle in comparison. Being strict about certain things is good, but walking so tight the pants squeak is quite another. With this disease alcohol converts to sugar in the blood so something to consider. I think one cool thing most do not know, in cooking or marinades or to cook foods the alcohol cooks off. It just leaves flavor is all. Good for tenderizing meats. Of course like beer, bread has yeast, with the fungal aspect too something to think about. I doubt true of rum balls or an aunt's homade fruitcake or rumcake however . Get drunk as skunk not careful. (LC)

[aussiedave]

speaking of the history of beer

We have in australia at the moment a very extensive and growing campaign

Its called Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

Its the explanation for alarming increases in birth defects

Now, anyone who has a basic knowledge of the diet of europeans through history(which i do, very basic)

Would be suspicious of the claims that even one glass of wine could cause birth defects

im interested if only australians are getting this nonsense shoved down their throats or

if it is international

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome- ever heard of it?

[ladycolorado]

Fetal alcohol syndrome, Yes but usually some mom does not give a rat's behind what carrying. Ussually in excess, and hard drugs involved as well. I do have a sister in law has this, but momma drink like a moonshine still, had her run a bar at twelve. Not crazy but still some data missing from the abuse. Did awful things to them like tie down in chair and burn them. Now excess and the crazies a factor, But if get to become such a "teetotaler" condemn all not like you silly and dangerous. I understand you drink beer Dave hurt and all. The alcohol kills pain and even early days kept disease out of mouth not excuse just facts. Alcohol does have a use as an antiseptic. The fact converts to sugar in blood hampers immune system in higher doses can be a problem for some. So research. Truly studying what makes body the strongest the most helpful and pros and cos to alcohol. However when a person has a small amount of "pot" get life in prison versus a murderer here well think: want doped up person free or one who has murdered? they get a few years, cut up spouse or somebody with a chainsaw. I do think pot should be like DUI: if too messed up to drive or work or act like unlawful idiot crazy, real angry dangerous to begin with: punished. The only real problem with alcohol and the law: can hurt somebody black out, and alcohol can make one very angry to dangerous level or depressed to harmful level. Alcohol IS a depressant supress pain etc, but feeling sad can make some act super bad. It is simply a matter of being aware of these things and moderation. With this disease have to wonder if feeding disease having anger well up to relive pain yet hampers immune system: is it worth it? are there other safe things to do? I will say not for all but strong valerian root helps kick back the pain a notch like alcohol does but with still ability to stay lucid. (LC)

[aussiedave]

lady, im not bringing this up out of self interest

im unlikely to be affected. id no more have sex with this filthy show than if i had leprosy
and besides i dont own a womb

its being promoted here strongly and it doesnt ring true to me is all

im curious if this is just a local stupidity or in other countries aswell

[ladycolorado]

Oh our country the pioneers for stuipid trust me. (LC)

[Bad_Boy]

Dave,

you've changed your "disclaimer" to mutagenic? Awé!

It's likely a lot of syndromes are identifiable now due to the amount of active knowledge and research to which we have access. It's something to do with the percentage of scientific minds alive along with the communication systems, libraries, and other forms of knowledge dissemination that's accessible to the layman.

Crude example here .
If some poor soul were alive in the European middle ages and had a form of schizophrenia, he'd likely have religious labels applied to him that would ensure his quick dispatch. Today we can identify him. Unfortunately, he often still walks the streets unaided or worse (sigh).

Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by genetic damage to sperm, eggs, or zygote. However, for argument's sake, perhaps the people's kidneys processed the alcohol out of their systems more quickly in times of old than they do now (many variables apply here). Or perhaps it's because people may not have consumed alcohol without food and therefore did not feel the need to overimbibe. Fetal alcohol syndrome really does exists.

I'm sorry that this has really become an issue here, however. I honestly intended to expand upon why Ben Franklin would have thought the way he did.

BB
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Late edit...realized I'm including another thread here that doesn't apply.