The Ancient History of Beer: Invention, Importance and Development of Beer

In honour of International Beer Day, learn all about the ancient history of beer, when it was invented, who invented it and its long history! The English word Beer comes from the Latin ’bibere’ meaning ‘to drink,’ however beer brewing did not begin with the Romans, but thousands of years earlier! The process which is now recognised as beer brewing began in Mesopotamia in a small village at Godin Tepe in modern-day Iran, between 3500 and 3100 BCE. In Mesopotamia, beer was enjoyed by the lowest class and the highest class alike, and was a daily dietary staple for all. The enjoyment of beer by humans and gods alike was depicted in paintings, poems and myths, and it was consumed at this time through a straw to filter out pieces of bread or herbs in the drink. The Ancient Egyptians viewed beer in much the same way as the Mesopotamians, but they are known as the people who altered the Sumerian’s brewing methods to make it lighter and smoother so it could be poured into a cup or glass to be d