It is argued that the invention of beer was the beginning of civilization. Roughly 10,000 years ago, barley was domesticated in early Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers, located in present-day Iraq¹. This "Fertile Crescent" allowed hunter-gatherers to become agricultural, and domesticate grains used in the brewing process. Many civilizations independently invented fermented beverages (similar to beer) throughout history. This is seen in the Code of Hammurabi³ (ca 1750 BCE) which includes laws regulating beer and taverns, the creation of a Chinese fermented rice beer (not to be confused with sake, a Chinese rice wine) dating back to almost 9,000 years ago, and many other ancient fermented alcoholic beverages. In medieval times, beer was a popular drink because of the fact that much of the water available could make a person very ill. They did not know however, that it was the fact that the water was boiled in the brewing process, killing the bacteria and microorganisms living in the water.
The fermented beverage spread throughout Europe and many other continents, being brewed on a small scale compared to present times. European monasteries produced and sold beer and meads for income as well as sustenance. The Reinheitsgebot, a German purity law for beer and food, was created in 1516 and was used through the 20th century⁴. When the Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century, and many innovative inventions were created, beer was on its way to be mass produced. In 1919, the sale, manufacture of , and transport of alcoholic beverages was prohibited in the United States and its Territories by the 18th Amendment⁵. It was later repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933⁶. In the present, Beer can be mass produced, shipped and sold around the world. But, it is still nice to sit down and enjoy a fine home brew.