The Origins and History of Beer

When people think of beer today, they envision a couple of different things. They may first think of the store that they typically purchase their favorite brand from. Others may bring their own in a microbrewery. However, beer is not a contemporary beverage. It has been around for thousands of years. It has been traced as far back as 7000 years ago. There are even others that believe it predates the development of agriculture. What is not known is why beer was initially produced. Whether it was accidental or the result of cultivation and purposeful development, we may never know how it all started. However, there is an origin story to beer based upon the evidence we have today, which has created a rich history behind this beverage.

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When Was Beer First Made?

According to historians and researchers, it was in Iran, around 7000 BC, that beer was first made with barley. Utilizing the written history that was discovered in Mesopotamia and Egypt, it has been shown that it was a product that was produced and sold. There are other records in China around 7000 BC, which presents evidence that beer was also brewed there. In Iran, barley was used, and in China, rice, hawthorns, and even grapes were used to produce beer for those cultures.

How Did Brewing Beer Get Started?

There are certain grains that can spontaneously ferment. This is due to a combination of sugar and wild yeast, causing this to occur. During the inception and development of agriculture, cultures at the time likely encountered the effects of beer when consuming products produced via domesticated cereal. This evidence comes from pottery that was excavated, with the earliest originating nearly 9000 years ago. This evidence of fermentation found in the pottery leads researchers to believe that brewing beer was first done during this era.

The Progression Of Beer In History

As time progressed, going through the Neolithic period of Europe, through to the Industrial Revolution, beer was still being made. It was the Industrial Revolution and the widespread domestication of crops that allowed beer to become more prolific in society. Instead of merely being brewed by individuals, it became a widespread phenomenon that spanned the globe. Today, this global business is multinational, yet there are changes in how it is produced.

The Advent Of Microbreweries

Microbreweries have become very popular in recent years. People have, in a way, reverted to the origins of how this product was first produced. Instead of relying upon major companies to produce the same type of beer year after year, those that have access to this technology can brew their own. Using different grain types and implementing different fermentation processes, they can create unique brews week after week. This trend of developing your recipes for beer has become even more popular, sparking a revolution in this beverage’s development, so much so that there are Beer festivals across the world that feature Beer produced at such microbreweries.

Different Types Of Beer That Are Brewed Today

There are many different types and styles of beer that are produced today. Most of us have heard of them before. There are specialty beers that are crafted worldwide using wheat, barley, and many other components. Some of the more popular ones include Porter, Stout, Pale Ale, and Dark Lager. If you are a fan of drinking beer, you are likely aware of how beer is categorized, which is useful if you decide to use a microbrewery system. The top-fermenting styles include Belgian style beer, wheat beer, and brown ale. If you prefer, you can attempt to brew your own bottom-fermenting styles, which include German-style bocks, Pilsners, and Pale Lagers. As time passes, there will likely be more advancement made in the wide-scale production of beer. The same is true for microbreweries that are sold by the thousands every year. Suppose you are a fan of drinking this fermented beverage. In that case, you may want to consider researching more of this product’s history and subsequently start making your own beer to maintain this tradition.

Over the course of many years, you could become very proficient at producing a unique type of beer that people would prefer. Through experimentation, beer originally became a favorite beverage, something that continues now and into the future.

10 Brewing Mistakes To Avoid

Homebrewing is a long and complicated matter. Even the best homebrewers have dozens of different ways they can wreck what would be a great batch. If you’re more intermediate in your skill, your odds are even better, and novices are possibly more likely than not to fail. Whether you need to learn or refresh, keep reading to find 10 brewing mistakes to avoid.

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1) Don’t Assume Tap Water Is Okay

Even if your tap water tastes fine as it is, it might not be perfect for home brewing. At a minimum, test it for chlorine levels, ion profile, and pH. Know exactly what kind of balance and minerals you’re putting into your brew.

2) Clean Up Right

Clean equipment is the first and possibly most vital aspect of making great beer. It’s a messy process, even on a good day. Keeping everything clean doesn’t just make your life easier, as it also protects the flavor and quality of your homebrew.

3) Don’t Use Aging Ingredients

Homebrewing involves a lot of organic compounds. Every one of them starts breaking down as time passes, eventually spoiling. This happens even faster once they’re opened up. Some things can last a while in the fridge or freezer, but you don’t have forever.

4) Don’t Get Ahead Of Yourself

Of course, you want to get better at this over time. That means pushing yourself and your boundaries, so you keep evolving your skill. Still, don’t try everything at once. Unless you’ve been doing this for a while, it’s best to stick to styles and recipes that seem a little easy to you. Master the basics and get the fundamentals down pat before moving on to more advanced brews. It is always recommended to us measuring tools than to make use of your instinct; one such brewing tool is calculator ABV, which let’s you calculate the alcohol volume in your brew based on the gravity of the drink. It is suggested to go with accurate measurement than to go with your brewing instincts that spoil your entire lot of Beer.

5) Remember That Cleaning Isn’t Sanitizing

In addition to cleaning, you also need to sanitize. While a good cleaning can get rid of nastiness you can see and even proteins and fats you can’t see, it’s sanitizing that gets rid of bacteria and other microbes that can mess up your brew and even your health.

6) Don’t Let Boil-Overs Happen

Wort can do wonders for a great beer, but the same chemical compounds and sugars can also turn into a gooey mess that would scare even the most destructive and playful of children. Monitor your wort temperature during boiling and stir it all routinely. Want a pro trick? Get some glass marbles to put at the pot’s bottom; they’ll turn big bubbles into much smaller ones, meaning your pot won’t ‘burp’ as much. Since they’re glass, they’re inert and safe in a boiling environment without flavoring your beer.

7) Don’t Forget To Take Notes

Everything you do right is something you should keep available for reference later. Your memory and brain will retain a lot, but it’s also better to get notes down wherever you find useful. Maybe that’s pen and paper, maybe it’s verbal dictation to your phone, and maybe it’s typing things into a file on your tablet. Do whatever works for you. You need to remember what works out well, but you also need to learn from your own mistakes in addition to learning from others. Take note of the most minute observations that you have, be it the rise in temperature or the change is Alcohol levels using a Alcohol-By-Volume calculator.

8) Avoid Getting A Fermenter That’s Not Big Enough

When yeast is turning wort into your beer, they also create foam. That means there needs to be breathing room for the expansion. A good rule of thumb is having a fermenter at least 20 percent bigger than your biggest batch.

9) Don’t Bottle Too Early

Impatience is a big no-no when homebrewing. As badly as you want to taste your beer or get to the next ‘fun’ step, there are long periods of just waiting. Let enough days pass; don’t bottle too early. Doing so might let pressure accumulate to the point of exploding bottles. That’s not fun.

10) Don’t Go It Alone

What you consider a mistake might turn out homebrew that someone else likes. Even if you usually brew alone, have buddies and other enthusiasts over once in a while to try out your concoctions. Let them sample your creations, have them bring over theirs, and swap notes on what everyone is doing. You might discover that you made a batch that only you don’t like, but others love. You might be able to swap your bottles for theirs or even favors rending from working on your car to mowing your yard or even taking care of your kids. You’re only human. You’re imperfect, and so you’ll never be a perfect homebrewer.

Now that you know these 10 brewing mistakes to avoid, your homebrewing will hopefully prove fruitful and rewarding more often than not. There is plenty more that you can learn about beer and brewing. So keep studying your craft until you’re truly satisfied with your results consistently.

The Best Beer Festivals of 2020 And Beyond

As the year draws to a close, it would ordinarily be a great time to take a look back at some of the best beer festivals of 2020 from around the world. However, this year, many national and international festivals were canceled, so perhaps it’s better to take a broader look at what we can learn from festivals of the past and look forward to 2021 international beer festivals.

What exactly is a Beer Festival?

Let’s begin by considering what exactly such a festival entails. By definition, a beer festival is a social event where attendees can sample various new brews and make purchases. Many events are themed and are routinely attended by bar owners as well as beer-lovers and brewing hobbyists. For example, many countries have festivals in the winter months designed to showcase the year’s winter ales. Throughout the seasons, new brewing styles and technology often get a showcase. Many of the most attended events are in European countries, including Germany, Demark, and the United Kingdom.

Man Carrying Beer Glasses

Perhaps one of the best things about beer festivals is that bulk buyers get to try before they buy. Also, brewing enthusiasts learn about new brewing styles and share tricks and tips of the trade. With local specialist brews becoming more popular as the years progress, the beer industry as a whole is now seeing profits and clientele similar to those in the wine industry. Beer is no longer seen as a common drink and is now held in high esteem by the critics. With should a wide variety of beverages in the marketplace, consumers have naturally become more discerning. No longer is a basic brew enough for the palates of many.

Today’s beer drinkers want to know the history of the ingredients and the story behind the brew. Vegan beers, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular as more people become concerned about animal welfare. Many beer lovers were previously unaware that some beverages are filtered through fish bladders. While many beer drinkers have no affinity for a vegan lifestyle, they often appreciate learning more about the production process.

What are the types of Beer Festivals?

Beer festivals around the world are typically grouped into their different continents. Some of the most popular annual festivals in Asia include the Great Japan Beer Festival, Lan Kwai Fong Music and Beer Fest, Tbilisi Beer Fest, Shanghai International Beer Festival, and Qingdao International Beer Festival, which takes place in China.

When it comes to beer festivals in Europe, Germany-based events dominate the field and attract visitors from all European countries and enthusiasts from further afield. German beer festivals welcome multiple international tourists, making repeat visits each year to sample the latest German brewing developments.

The world’s largest beer festival is Oktoberfest, which occurs every year in the country and is in some ways more of a folk festival. However, it remains a key attraction. Germany’s second-largest beer festival is the Cannstatter Volksfest. The festival is very similar to Oktoberfest but takes place a week later. It has numerous international visitors and is always a big hit.

In terms of other European best festivals, those in the UK are arguably the next most popular. The Reading Beer Festival in 2009, for example, enjoyed a large number of visitors from around the world. However, the difference in the UK is that many British festivals center around draught real ale as opposed to bottled ciders and beers. In recent years, however, bottled specialty beer has become increasingly popular in the UK. Many British consumers are now open to paying premium prices for bottled brews to enjoy at home.

Belgium is another European country that holds a lot of beer festivals. Some of their most popular include the BAB-bierfestival, Karakterbieren Festival, and Essen’s Christmas beer festival. Other countries across the continent also hold a wide range of events for beer lovers worldwide.

Beer Festivals in United States

In the United States, the Great American Beer Festival is something everyone looks forward to. It is held in the Colorado city of Dever each year and began in 1982. In 2008, the event attracted over 46,000 people and featured beers from 477 breweries.

Another popular festival in the USA is The Oregon Brewers Festival. The event began in 1988 and takes place in July each year. In 2014, the event drew over 85,000 people to Portland. Meanwhile, in Providence in Rhode Island, the Great International Beer Festival is held twice a year.

Annual beer festivals are held in almost every country in the world. While those in countries such as Ecuador, Chile, and Brazil might not receive as much press coverage in the western world, they remain popular and are increasing in success each year as more international tourists discover their existence. For many tourists, the joy of visiting international festivals is in learning about ancient brewing techniques. For many beer enthusiasts, 2021 can’t come soon enough. With many of the best beer festivals of 2020 canceled, everyone is waiting to see what unfolds in the coming year. Hopefully, the industry’s events will see even more success than they have enjoyed in 2017, 2018, and 2019. For many, the embracement of more specialty bottled beers is something to watch out for and the introduction of more exotic fruits to flavored beers. Some people are also predicting a new way of alcohol-free beverages and lite beers that don’t comprise flavor.