If you want to go on a wine and brewery tour, why not review the history of beer first? Not only will this add to your appreciation of the brewing process, but it’ll also remind you that you’re essentially consuming mankind’s oldest beverage—excluding water—during the outing. Here is everything to know about beer’s place in human history. 

From Mesopotamia to Egypt & Beyond 

While anthropologists have reason to believe the cultures of Mesopotamia brewed beer, the first recorded evidence of this beverage hails from ancient Egypt. Papyrus scrolls dated around 5,000 B.C. document the brewing process using various herbs and fruits like dates and pomegranates. Initially, the Pharaohs oversaw the making of beer, and they used the final product to perform religious rituals. 

Naturally, the brewing process evolved over time and started spreading around the globe. After beer reached Europe, it didn’t take long for it to become an indispensable part of life. Not only did it provide calories, but it also served as a safe alternative to the contaminated drinking water that was rampant during the Dark Ages. 

The Beverage We Know & Love Today 

On your wine and brewery tour, you might learn that the kind of beer we enjoy today first appeared during the Middle Ages. Up until about the 12^th century, brewers had been using malted barley to facilitate fermentation. When they realized using hops had its advantages—not only do hops add flavoring, but they also have preservative properties—European brewers never looked back. 

As they experimented with various ingredients, new styles of beer were born, including stouts, pale ales, and porters. Eventually, beer made its way to America with the colonists. In fact, the first permanent structure that the Pilgrims built in Plymouth was a brewery. 

If you and your friends want to go on an unforgettable wine and brewery tour, turn to Laughlin Tours. Based out of Clark County, NV, this agency offers guided tours of Stetson Winery, Desert Diamond Distillery, and Rickety Cricket Brewing along Route 66. Since 2001, they've been a proud leader in the tourism industry by hosting outings that are as informative as they are entertaining. To learn more about their wine and brewery tours, visit their website or call (702) 420-5345.