Whether you’re at home watching your favorite team on TV or hanging out at a bar with friends for happy hour, a delicious beer makes everything better. It’s the beverage of choice for many Americans, but have you ever wondered where beer came from or how it came to be so popular? Here’s a closer look at the history of this beloved drink, from its humble beginnings to the incredible variety found today at bars worldwide.

A Guide to Brews Throughout the Ages

When Was the First Beer Created?

Historians haven’t pinpointed the exact moment beer came into existence, but it’s thought to be one of the oldest human-made beverages. Remnants of the first drafts in history have been discovered on ancient artifacts tracing back more than 10,000 years in the Middle East. The basis of beer production stems from the extraction of sugar from grains, so it’s not unusual that beer brewing thrived in societies based around wheat, rice, corn, and barley cultivation.

While beer is an adult beverage today, it was once considered an essential source of nutrition with high levels of protein and other nutrients for everyone. Due to the heating process required for most brews, it was healthier than water from rivers and streams. Ancient Egyptians were even paid with beer to create the pyramids and other labors.

What Were the Ingredients?

Early beer recipes from China used nutrient-rich millet, which remains an important food source for the majority of the globe. Ancient Chinese rituals utilized the simple beverage frequently.

Ancient Egyptian bars included brews flavored with olive oil, herbs, and dates, making it an important part of daily diets for adults and children. Barley, a more familiar ingredient to today’s beer enthusiast, was found in recipes originating in the Middle East. The cereal grain was revered by early Romans enough that they placed barley on their gold and silver coins.

Christian monks get credit for first using hops as an ingredient in the Middle Ages, but credit Germany with creating a beer purity law known as “Reinheitsgebot” in the 16th century that removed all parts except water, hops, and barley.

For an impressive beer menu and the best pizza and oysters in the Gulf Shores, AL, area, check out Papa Rocco’s. Since 1980, the popular bar has been the preferred spot for locals and tourists going out on date nights or looking for a fun happy hour with live music and a tasty oyster bar. Visit their website for a look at upcoming events or call them directly at (251) 948-7262 for more information about their delicious offerings.