Throughout human history, people have been drinking beer. Curious about the origins and growth of the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world? Keep reading. 

 

When was beer invented?

The short answer? A long, long time ago. Essentially, as soon as humans started growing grain, they were making beer, so it’s safe to assume that when humankind started to move away from hunting and gathering and more toward agriculture, beer was around. Because it’s been around so long, the first civilizations in Mesopotamia are often credited as being the birthplace of beer. 

 

 
How was Beer Invented? 

Experts on the topic say that it’s more likely that beer was discovered, rather than invented. The theory is that ancient people were making bread with barley, mixed it with water, and with the addition of wild yeast it became a sort of prototype for the beer we know today. Over time, they tweaked the recipe, made it better, and it became an instant hit, beloved by Pharaohs, monks, and regular-old Mesopotamians alike.

 

Who Drank Ancient Beer?

After its discovery, beer became extremely popular in ancient Egypt, and Greece (our kind of people). It was even used as a form of payment for workers and soldiers. Eventually, its popularity spread to the rest of Europe where it became a mainstay in the middle ages thanks to the monks that helped produce it.

 

 
When did Beer Come to America?

From the very beginning of U.S. history, beer played a part. Thanks to its popularity in England, the first colonists in America brought beer with them, and often built a brewhouse as a necessity before schools or churches because the brewing process made water safe to drink. 


Your favorite founding fathers also loved beer. George Washington was known to operate a home brewery at Mount Vernon (his recipe included molasses), and gave every member of the continental army a ration of beer every day. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence in a tavern. James Madison even wanted to add ‘Secretary of Beer’ as a new position to the presidential cabinet.

 

 

How did Popular American Brewers Get Their Start?

In the mid 1800s, the country saw a rise in German immigrants, who brought their beer recipes with them. One recipe, the lager, grew to dominate the American beer scene. In Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Cincinnati, names you might recognize like Busch, Pabst, and Schlitz began their brewing operations. Eventually, Prohibition shut these beer makers down, but shocker, they made it through and are still producing today. 

 

 

What are the Most Popular American Beers today?

As of last year, Modelo and Bud Light were the two most popular beers in America, with Blue Moon, traditional Budweiser, and Heineken close behind. Modelo took the top spot for the first time ever, dethroning Anheuser-Busch, which between Budwesier and Bud Light had been at the top of the list since the 1960s. 

 

What is the American Beer scene like today?

While globally, American beer might be overshadowed by the giant brewers that have exploded internationally (think: Budweiser, Miller, Coors), in the 21st century, the country has seen a rise in smaller operations and craft brewers that are making some really great stuff. With craft breweries at an all time high in the country, and ranging from coast to coast, the number of people who are after something a bit more unique than a Bug Light have been growing too. 

 

Any way you slice it, beer has been a part of human history for as far back as we have record. From the ancient people of the Middle East to the household names in American beer today, the drink sure is a people pleaser. Have a favorite fun fact about beer? Leave it in the comments before you go!