A Brief History of Beer Beer is an ancient beverage that has existed nearly as long as civilization itself. Beer was made in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, usually at home or in monasteries as medicinal treatment for a variety of ailments. By the late middle ages and early renaissance, beer and brewing became an integral part of the European commercial economy. Many of the regional characteristics and brewing techniques of European beer found today can be traced to the raw materials native to respective parts of Europe during the late 1400's. For example, malt with low extraction capabilities found in Germany resulted in decoction mashing, and high quality malt found in England used in conjunction with ale yeast led to the production of darker, less carbonated beers.
Beer has a storied tradition and past.
In fact, the first registered trademark in history was the Bass Ale logo. Likewise, a popular story among modern brewers states that the Mayflower originally was headed for Virginia, but the pilgrims decided to disembark at Plymouth Rock when they had run out of beer. Whether true or not, beer has always provided a cultural and social touchstone, possessing a mystical quality that has been enjoyed by people around the world for centuries.