The History Of Craft Beer
- By Steven Hooch
- Published 11/18/2011
- Food and Drink
- Unrated
In the history of mankind, beer is one of the first beverages invented with ancient records dating as far back as 6000BC detailing its manufacture. The earliest references are from the ancient Sumerian writings specifically The Hymn of Ninkasi, which provided a way to remember the method of making beer. Little has changed in the methods handed down for the manufacture of craft beer from the ancient brewers to their modern day descendants.
The main differences in the manufacture of craft beers lie in the technologies, tools and techniques used to make high-quality beverages from ales to lagers. Nowadays, beer manufacture is both a science and an art because of the introduction of these scientific technologies, tools and techniques that, in turn, have spurred beer makers to be creative with their products. In the following sections, the time-line of the development of beers from ancient to modern times will be discussed briefly.
Ancient Times:
Historians agree that ancient cultures developed beer-like beverages independently of each other since certain cereals undergo spontaneous fermentations, thus, leading to the discovery of the alcoholic beverage. The first beer appear to have been produced in what is now Iran while the Chinese also produced beer as far back as 7000BC using methods similar to those used by the Egyptians and Mesopotamians.
Medieval Europe:
In medieval Europe, beer was a common factor between all social classes from the royals to the peasants. Such was its popularity that it was consumed on a daily basis and with all kinds of foods from morning till night. Beer was also a good source of calories by virtue of its grain component - in fact, beer is considered as food even in modern times.
Since there were no commercial breweries as we know
them today, beers were brewed in home breweries. The methods, tools and ingredients used were similar among these breweries, thus, resulting in the early classifications of beers into ales and lagers. However, different brewers had different levels of skill, which contributed to the status of craft beer as an art in itself.
By 822, hops were used in beers for flavour and aroma. In previous years, the most commonly used ingredients were herbs although these did not improve on the shelf life of the beers. By the13th century, hopped beers were perfected in German towns, a practice that later spread to Holland in the 14th century and England in the 15th century.
Early Modern Europe:
Beer continued to be made in homes but a shift was beginning to happen. By the 14th to the 15th centuries, the manufacture of beer slowly but surely became the work of pubs and monasteries that produced it for mass consumption. Still, the products can still be considered craft beer since the passion for beer was still present. And then in 1516, William IV, Duke of Bavaria, imposed the Reinheitsgebot (purity law) to regulate the manufacture of beer in Germany. This law is still in effect although its use is controversial.
The Industrial Revolution:
And then came the Industrial Revolution. The craft breweries slowly faded into obscurity although there were still many holdouts against the industrialization of beer manufacture. Although there were many innovations in the technology, beer purists decried the commercialization of the beer that resulted into flat, lifeless and flavourless beer - a run-of-the-mill product of the 20th century.
Fortunately, craft beer made a renaissance in later years. Today, over 95% US breweries are small and independent with traditional methods still being used. The beers from ales and lagers have greater variety in flavours, textures and aromas - a reflection of the passion for the craft of making beer.
The main differences in the manufacture of craft beers lie in the technologies, tools and techniques used to make high-quality beverages from ales to lagers. Nowadays, beer manufacture is both a science and an art because of the introduction of these scientific technologies, tools and techniques that, in turn, have spurred beer makers to be creative with their products. In the following sections, the time-line of the development of beers from ancient to modern times will be discussed briefly.
Ancient Times:
Historians agree that ancient cultures developed beer-like beverages independently of each other since certain cereals undergo spontaneous fermentations, thus, leading to the discovery of the alcoholic beverage. The first beer appear to have been produced in what is now Iran while the Chinese also produced beer as far back as 7000BC using methods similar to those used by the Egyptians and Mesopotamians.
Medieval Europe:
In medieval Europe, beer was a common factor between all social classes from the royals to the peasants. Such was its popularity that it was consumed on a daily basis and with all kinds of foods from morning till night. Beer was also a good source of calories by virtue of its grain component - in fact, beer is considered as food even in modern times.
Since there were no commercial breweries as we know
By 822, hops were used in beers for flavour and aroma. In previous years, the most commonly used ingredients were herbs although these did not improve on the shelf life of the beers. By the13th century, hopped beers were perfected in German towns, a practice that later spread to Holland in the 14th century and England in the 15th century.
Early Modern Europe:
Beer continued to be made in homes but a shift was beginning to happen. By the 14th to the 15th centuries, the manufacture of beer slowly but surely became the work of pubs and monasteries that produced it for mass consumption. Still, the products can still be considered craft beer since the passion for beer was still present. And then in 1516, William IV, Duke of Bavaria, imposed the Reinheitsgebot (purity law) to regulate the manufacture of beer in Germany. This law is still in effect although its use is controversial.
The Industrial Revolution:
And then came the Industrial Revolution. The craft breweries slowly faded into obscurity although there were still many holdouts against the industrialization of beer manufacture. Although there were many innovations in the technology, beer purists decried the commercialization of the beer that resulted into flat, lifeless and flavourless beer - a run-of-the-mill product of the 20th century.
Fortunately, craft beer made a renaissance in later years. Today, over 95% US breweries are small and independent with traditional methods still being used. The beers from ales and lagers have greater variety in flavours, textures and aromas - a reflection of the passion for the craft of making beer.
Steven Hooch
Steven Hooch is a leading connoisseur for a variety of fine wines and ales. He has been sharing his insights and reviews for over 11 years striving to provide expert advice and information on a wide range of alcoholic beverages including craft beers.
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