Beer has a long history intertwined with the development of civilisation. This beloved brew has been an important beverage across cultures for thousands of years. As techniques and technologies have advanced, so too have the array of beer varieties available today. Let’s explore the fascinating story of beer through the ages!
The Origins of Ale
The first records of beer date back to roughly 3400 BCE in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. At the time, beer provided essential calories and nutrition. Early beers were rudimentary – water, grain mash, and whatever yeast was in the air, left to slowly ferment. These cloudy, mild ales were consumed through straws. Still, they sustained laborers along the Nile and Tigris with their carbohydrate-rich liquid bread. Brewing fell within the female domain during antiquity. Goddesses like the Sumerian Ninkasi oversaw the craft.
Beer in the Middle Ages
By the Middle Ages, monasteries had helped spread brewing throughout Europe. In Germany, the 1516 purity law restricted beer to just three ingredients: water, barley, and hops. Without an understanding of yeast, fermentation remained unpredictable. Beers stayed hazy but increased in alcohol strength. Secret methods were closely guarded by elite brewers guilds.
Ales dominated medieval England as the drink of choice, due to the expense of imported wines. All levels of society drank beer with meals. The ship that carried the Pilgrims to America even stocked beer among its provisions. While the proportions of beer versus water are uncertain, beer’s alcohol and hops did help prevent spoilage. The ubiquity of beer in English life contributed to the enduring stereotype of the Englishman with his pint.
Advances in the Industrial Era
The Industrial Revolution facilitated several commercial brewing breakthroughs. Coal mining, steam power, and rail transport enabled increased scale and distribution. Using isolated yeast strains and new filtration methods, beers became clearer and more consistent. By the 1800s, Bass Pale Ale was a leading English export.
Lager brewing technology spread from Central Europe worldwide. Advances in the 1900s like refrigeration and pasteurization enabled mass production of cheaper, long-lasting light lagers. But such industrial efficiencies squeezed out more traditional small producers across Europe.
The Craft Beer Renaissance
By the late 1900s, increasingly consolidated macro-breweries had nearly eliminated traditional beer diversity, especially in the US and UK. But the growing craft beer movement counteracted this homogenization by resurrecting near-extinct styles like porters, stouts, and India Pale Ales. Craft brewers also introduced unique varieties like oatmeal ales and fruit-infused beers, celebrated creative experimentation, and sometimes just downright wacky concoctions!
Today’s democratized homebrew culture encourages passionate amateurs to dabble in the brewer’s art alongside professional innovators. The astonishing range of flavours and beer styles available via local microbreweries would astonish brewers of old.
Suggested Food Pairings
Certain beers complement particular foods. The bitterness of IPAs matches well with spicy curries. Brown and nutty amber beers pair nicely with roasted British meats. Sweet and rich desserts like sticky toffee pudding or chocolate gateau go great with milky-roasty stouts and porters. For traditional fish and chips, try an English bitter or pale ale. When in doubt, the balanced biscuit-and-hop profile of British bitters suits most British meals. And remember: because subtle aromas emerge best at cellar temperature, resist over-chilling that pint!
Storing Beer
To maintain quality and character, store beer upright and away from light in a cool (10-15°C), moderately humid location. Refrigerate after opening. Bottled beer keeps fresh for 4-6 months, while canned beer lasts 6-12 months or longer for higher alcohol varieties. Kegged beer perishes within days. For peak flavour and aroma, enjoy most beers within 3-4 months of packaging.
Notable Craft Breweries
Some quintessentially British craft breweries to try include:
- Kernel (Bermondsey): Nearly all their beers are unfiltered and unfined for intense flavours, though this reduces shelf-life.
- Beavertown (London): Known for their bold, hoppy beers and striking can graphic designs. Try their flagship Neck Oil session IPA.
So let’s raise a pint through the ages! Beer has come a long way since its serendipitous origins along the Nile. This living drink will undoubtedly continue evolving wherever human ingenuity persists. Cheers to that!