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

[Flyer]

Beer Before Bread Bump!

Bread? We don't need no - BRRRAAAPPPP! - stinkin' bread!

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[Dinsdale]

Spoors is unfit for human consumption. Even my dog will not drink it.

[Oztrich Boy]

Do you mean he would pass it?

[Consort]

[humblegunner]

Beer is the basis and the driving force behind all civilization.

I got my basis right here.

Fried catfish too.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I would have bumped this to you, except you are the poster!

[afraidfortherepublic]

And, it was as good for you as eating bread, and less trouble to make.

I've got a great recipe for making bread with beer as the leavening. Mmmmmm-good!

[weegee]

Yep!

[WilliamWallace1999]

As a home brewer and beer history buff, I think they are speaking of barley and wheat. Both were used for beer throughout Ancient world. This is not a new theory, just older evidence to support it. The theory goes that civilization actually began because of beer. Hunter-gatheres could have ground grain, baked a loaf, and kept moving. A batch of beer on the other hand required a bit of time to complete. Cave painting, story-telling, tool making, and pottery all arose while waiting for the suds to be ready.
Beer was a better food than bread. Old style brews had large amounts of protien as well as carbohydrates. The yeast residue also provided an excellent source of vitamins. Bread and flour would not have lasted through a long winter nearly as long as a good strong stout. The use of hops was not originally for flavor, but was added as preservative.

Now let's crack a cold stout and celebrate our heritage.

[potlatch]

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

Something was left sitting around till it fermented, then they drank it and liked the results! That's not exactly 'inventing' beer before bread!?

[blam]

"The theory goes that civilization actually began because of beer."

Nah. It was the ice and learning how to plan (think ahead) to survive each winter. (That's, the ice, also what made some peop;e white)

[VadeRetro]

Drunk? I shwear I only had one tittle liney beer, ossifer!

[blam]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure they found 'millet' in the gut of Oetzi, The Iceman, found in the Alps.

[B Knotts]

I've never worked with grains other than barley, but as long as there's carbs in there, it should be able to convert over to sugar. The efficiency might be different, but many grains can be used.

The best beers tend to use only barley; American mega-brewers often add other grains (called adjuncts), such as rice and corn (maize). These are used as an inexpensive way to introduce fermentable starches, without adding much body or flavor.

The exception would be specialty beers such as wheat or rye beers. Both of those are nevertheless usually brewed with at least half barley.

[A CA Guy]

Could be the ovens were to make bricks also. Science can stretch to make the papers at times.

[B Knotts]

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.

This is fascinating. He's implying that man's thrist for beer created civilization!

I can believe it, too.

[B Knotts]

All this talk about beer is making me thirsty. I need to go pour myself a homebrew.

[facedown]

At least they had their priorities straight!

You got that right!

[blam]

"I need to go pour myself a homebrew."

I was thinking, margurita. (Did I spell that correctly?)