Stone Age Man Invented Beer Before Making Bread, Says Expert (11,000 Years Ago)

Ananova ^ | 9-14-2002

[blam]

Stone age man invented beer before making bread, says expert

Archaeologists have found that man first discovered alcohol in 9000 BC, more than 5,000 years earlier than previously thought.

According to The Sun they reckon pottery was invented because man needed a mug to hold his beer.

Until now researchers have assumed the first human settlements, which appeared in the Middle East, were built around farming and growing corn for food.

But archaeologist Merryn Dinely, of Manchester University, told the paper that corn was turned into malt, the main ingredient for making beer.

Dr Dinely found that almost all ancient villages had homes with smooth, carefully-made floors which appear to have been used for malting.

There was also evidence that ovens and grinding stones found at ancient sites formed the foundations of a brewery. Heat-proof baskets lined with bitumen were used for fermenting and storing beer.

Dr Dinely told a conference at Leicester University: "The most likely scenario seems to be that humans discovered how to turn grain into malt, which is sweet and nutritious.

"Then by accident they found out that when malt is mixed with water it turns into alcohol."

Dr Dinely said drawings showed women did the brewing while men collected the raw materials.

Story filed: 10:28 Saturday 14th September 2002

[blam]

I think the corn they are talking about is millet. Anyone know for sure?

[Teacup]

Home brew BUMP!

[Larry Lucido]

they reckon pottery was invented because man needed a mug to hold his beer

And thus was invented the "hold muh beer" alert.

[Lokibob]

Men hunted and fished all day, while the women made beer for them.

Who the h**l thought they could improve on a system like that!!!

[glock rocks]

columbus introduced "corn" to spain... so it wasn't maize...

[demlosers]

That's eleven thousand years of "hold muh beer" ;)

[Anotherpundit]

Just think, man lived like that for. . .5,000 years?

[steveo]

UGGGH BEER GOOD

[dark_lord]

There were some good reasons for this. The water back then was not so hot. People didn't necessarily understand that if you piss in your own drinking supply you get sick. But beer has alcohol - killed the germs. And, it was as good for you as eating bread, and less trouble to make.

[blam]

"Just think, man lived like that for. . .5,000 years?"

Where did we go wrong?

[Lokibob]

It only goes to show that BEER IS FOOD!!!

The new bumper sticker: "Coors isn't JUST for breakfast anymore"

[Redcloak]

Will either grain, when malted, produce the same enzymes that malted barley does? Perhaps a few FReepers who ply what now appears to be the world's oldest profession, that of brewer, will chime in. How about it guys? Any answers for us? Go to someone near and dear to your heart, say "Hold muh beer" and put fingers to keyboard and let us know.

: ^ )

[riley1992]

women did the brewing

But of course.

[xp38]

The staff of life. :)

[Paleo Conservative]

At least they had their priorities straight!

[Willie Green]

I think the corn they are talking about is millet.

What we call "corn" here in the U.S. is a New World grain, and was indeed known as maize.

"Corn" was an English term for cereal grains such as wheat and barley.

[Dinsdale]

Enzymes?

I have home brewed but never malted my own grain.

Malting is the process of allowing the grain to germinate then roasting the sprouted seed (darkers roasts make darker beer).

It converts starches into simpler carbs that ferment more readely. Not aware of an enzimes needed for brewing being involved. I could be wrong.

[gcruse]

LOL Indeed, indeed.

[Jagdgewehr]

According to The Sun they reckon pottery was invented because man needed a mug to hold his beer.

Bierkrug Bump

[sushiman]

Coors AIN'T beer !