Beer: World's Savior, Ancient Beverage

Beer has played a significant role in human history, from its probable origins at the dawn of time to the development of a special beer for space missions. The documentary How Beer Saved the World explores the untold story of how beer influenced major events in human history, such as the building of the Egyptian pyramids and the creation of modern medicine. It also delves into the accidental discovery of barley wine, which may have turned humans from nomadic to agricultural, and the role of beer in the development of germ theory and ancient Egyptian survival. While some claims in the documentary may be speculative, it provides an entertaining and insightful look at the importance of beer in shaping our world.

Beer was safer to drink than water

In the documentary "How Beer Saved the World", it is revealed that in medieval Europe, rancid water polluted by sewage was intentionally used to make beer, purifying the water and making it safe to drink.

The discovery of germ theory, which forms the basis of modern medicine, can also be attributed to beer. Louis Pasteur was studying beer when he discovered that germs were spoiling his beer, leading to the development of pasteurization.

Beer was also important in the founding of America. The Mayflower stopped in Plymouth because it had run out of beer.

Beer was key to the founding of America

Beer has also been linked to the development of labour laws. The Medieval Church became so rich from making beer that kings had to ban them from producing it. Beer was also important to the economy, with the development of bottling plants leading to the invention of factory lines and the end of child labour.

Beer has played a crucial role in some of the most significant events in human history, from the building of the pyramids to the Industrial Revolution. It has been argued that beer helped create maths, poetry, and even language, which may have evolved as a means to pass on brewing traditions.

Beer was vital to the Industrial Revolution

Secondly, beer provided essential calories and nutrition. In an era before modern nutrition, the caloric content of beer provided a significant energy source for workers toiling long hours in factories and mines. Beer was also often consumed as a substitute for meals, especially for those who could not afford proper nutrition. The "liquid bread" nature of beer offered sustenance and helped workers endure the grueling conditions of the time.

Additionally, beer played a role in social and economic aspects of the Industrial Revolution. Taverns and pubs became gathering places for workers, fostering a sense of community and providing a space for discussion and organization. Beer also served as a form of payment for labor, with workers sometimes being paid in part with beer, a practice known as "beer money." This practice helped employers maintain a stable and compliant workforce, as workers became dependent on the beer provided by the company.

Furthermore, the production and distribution of beer contributed to economic growth and the development of new industries. Brewing beer required raw materials such as barley, hops, and yeast, creating demand for agricultural products and stimulating trade. The establishment of breweries and the employment of brewers and associated workers contributed to job creation and the development of specialized skills. The distribution and sale of beer also spurred the growth of transportation networks and the establishment of pubs and taverns, fostering economic activity and entrepreneurship.

Overall, beer played a multifaceted role in the Industrial Revolution, impacting health, nutrition, social dynamics, and economic development. Its availability, nutritional value, and social significance made it an integral part of the lives of people during this transformative period in history.

Beer helped create mathematics

Beer is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world, with the first beer being made from grain, water, and spontaneous fermentation due to wild yeast in the air. The earliest brewers are believed to have been part of primitive cultures in Mesopotamia, and the process of brewing eventually made its way to Europe, where it became an integral part of life.

The birth of modern beer occurred during the early Middle Ages when German monks introduced hops as a bittering and flavouring agent. However, it was in the 20th century that beer played a significant role in revolutionising mathematics.

In 1899, William Sealy Gosset, a newly graduated Oxford University chemist, began working at the Dublin headquarters of Guinness. His mission was to find a way to achieve a consistently high-quality beer at a lower overall cost. This was a challenging task, as Guinness was the world's largest brewery at the time, producing 100 million gallons of beer annually.

Gosset's approach to this problem was to conduct experiments in a way that provided only enough certainty to make the brewery more profitable. This method went against the traditional statistical methods of the time, which focused on maximising the number of observations to minimise errors. However, conducting numerous experiments was expensive, and Gosset aimed to minimise costs.

By extracting useful results from a small set of observations, Gosset was able to achieve the desired level of confidence with just four observations, a sample size that resulted in significant cost savings. This statistical method opened new possibilities for using mathematics to achieve more with fewer resources.

Gosset's work laid the foundation for advancements in statistics, with his theories of statistical significance and balanced experimental designs helping to manage the problem of environmental noise in plant-growing tests. To maintain the competitive advantage of Guinness, his work was published under the pen name "Student".

Ronald A. Fisher, a professional mathematician, later built upon and systematised Student's theories, creating statistical books that are still widely used today and have only recently been updated in the field of modern agriculture.

The pioneering work of Irish brewers like Gosset and Fisher a century ago paved the way for today's big data and artificial intelligence advancements. It also influenced genetics, technology, and mathematics, which are crucial for addressing humanity's survival challenges. Thus, beer played a significant role in creating and shaping the field of mathematics and its applications.

Beer was central to the creation of modern medicine

Beer has been central to the creation of modern medicine. Ancient Nubians used beer as an antibiotic medicine. In the 1980s, scientists discovered traces of antibiotic tetracycline in a 1,600-year-old Nubian mummy. It is believed that this ancient population drank antibiotic-laced beer from the age of 2.

Beer also played a role in traditional Chinese medicine. Dr Vincent Caruso, a New Jersey-based chiropractor, notes that hops are helpful as sedatives and can be used to treat insomnia, depressive symptoms, nervous tension, and anxiety. Barley, another key ingredient in beer, can strengthen the spleen, aid the gall bladder, and detoxify.

Beer has also been found to have other health benefits. A 2009 study found that hip and spine bone mineral density was significantly greater in women who drank over two drinks per day of alcohol, including beer. Additionally, the dietary version of silicon found in beer is potentially beneficial for increasing bone density in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Furthermore, a 2012 study found that women who drank non-alcoholic beer with hops with dinner experienced decreased anxiety and better sleep quality. The hops in beer have anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties, which can also benefit the skin. Malt found in beer exfoliates, stabilizes collagen and elastin, improves microcirculation, and prevents premature ageing of the skin. The yeast found in beer is rich in B vitamins, which help moisturize the skin.

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