Posted on 09/14/2002 4:19:09 PM PDT by 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
And life's gone downhill ever since.
Interesting. Beer does not require heat, unlike baking bread.
Corn means wheat over the pond. So (for example), when Julius Caesar discusses corn in "The Civil War" (which it seems to me he does somewhat often, but probably that's just the impression I got), he's referring to wheat.
Ale have to check this out. [rimshot!]
You barley belong on this thread!
[rimshot!]
Any estimate on the alcohol content of this prehistoric brew? I'm guessing around 7 to 10% alcohol in this early stout, does that sound about right? Just curious.
Homebrewing: It's so easy, a caveman can do it!
Rye can't imagine what made you say that.
THE BUFFALO THEORY.... (From an episode of 'Cheers', Cliff is seated at the bar describing the Buffalo Theory to his buddy, Norm.)
"Well you see, Norm, it's like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.
"In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers" Q.E.D.
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
Thus explaining the ills of the beer-deprived Islamic world.
Problem: barbarism
Answer: Beer
It probably is. What you and I know as corn is a New World food, like potatoes.
Corn instead of 2-row? That must've been some nasty beer.
you can get food from beer
you can't get beer from food
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