| The popularity of beer is already well documented. | | | | pubs, discotheques, casinos, and other eating and |
| However, very little is known about the history | | | | entertainment joints. Of late, beer festivals have |
| and significance of this great drink. Some people | | | | captured the imagination of people all across the |
| date the use of beer as early as 6th millennium. | | | | globe. Germany is the first country that comes to |
| Certain references to the drink can be found in | | | | mind, which holds Oktoberfest, the largest beer |
| the documented history of ancient Egypt and | | | | festival in the world. UK has its own annual Great |
| Mesopotamia. Beer is produced by fermentation | | | | British Beer Festival held in London during August. |
| of sugars derived from starch-based material. | | | | Similar beer festivals are popular in smaller |
| Going by this logic, it seemed pretty simple to | | | | countries, like Estonia, Norway, Hong Kong, |
| produce beer by fermenting any substance | | | | Vietnam, New Zealand, besides some bigger |
| containing carbohydrates. | | | | countries, like US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and |
| The ancient references notwithstanding, the | | | | Argentina. |
| commercial manufacture of beer started only | | | | Undoubtedly, the commercial value of beer has |
| during the industrial revolution, and by the end of | | | | skyrocketed in almost every part of the globe |
| 19th Century, the home production of beer | | | | mainly because of its universal acceptance as a |
| virtually came to an end. And with the rapid | | | | less-alcoholic beverage. It is a widely held, though |
| developments in science and technology, newer | | | | unfounded, belief that beer is responsible for |
| machines were being manufactured, like | | | | younger generation's tilt towards harmful |
| hydrometers and thermometers, to aid the | | | | intoxicating drugs. However, facts do not support |
| brewers in the production of different varieties of | | | | this belief. On the contrary, medical experts opine |
| beer. In the modern world, beer is manufactured | | | | that beer can benefit heart if taken in moderation. |
| using varied starch sources, like malted barley, | | | | And if you could lay your hands on some free |
| yeast, corn, rice, sugar, millet, sorghum, cassava, | | | | beer, would you be able to turn down this |
| potato, agave etc. | | | | amazing offer? YES! It's possible to get yourself |
| The significance of beer in the modern society | | | | FREE beer. Just watch out for the latest doles |
| can be gauged from the fact that hardly any | | | | offered by several companies, and relish the |
| social gathering is complete without serving beer | | | | opportunities that present themselves! |
| as a beverage. Of course, it is a favorite drink in | | | | |