Beer led to human civilization

[Tricky]

(I had heard this from some friends, so I had to google for it.)

There is a good possibility that beer led to the civilization of mankind. (http://www.portsmouthbrewery.com/htmlpages.portsmouth/historyofbeer.html)
- 10,000 BC - At the dawn of history, human civilization arises as a result of the accidental discovery of brewing: nomadic hunter-gatherers discover that rain-sodden grain, left alone for a while, makes a beverage with magical properties. Over the course of generations, these nomads settle down and domesticate barley to assure a steady supply of raw material for their beer - hence, the establishment of the first permanent villages and, eventually, the pinnacle of human cultural achievement: the brewpub.

Now, when you hoist a pint, you can do so with the realization that you are doing so for the betterment of mankind.

[Occasional Chemist]

Another interesting tidbit:


Rank of New Hampshire among states in per capita beer sales: 2

Is this why the Libertarians want to move there?

[Cleon]

I always assumed that beer defined the rise of civilization, not just led to it...That is, that mankind could be considered civilized the moment beer was discovered. :)

[CapelDodger]

Not just human civilization, but quite possibly the whole of human evolution. After all, non-human primates (amongst others, eg elephants) know about the inebriating effects of fermenting fruit, which is sometimes available in large quantities. The human branch realised that a better hooch was possible, and brain-size expanded to make that possible. Males that could provide good hooch could get laid more easily (albeit with less response) than men who relied on candy, dandy though it is. Ergo big brains, better hooch, humans. Which explains why every stone-age tribe that's discovered produces some sort of hooch. Stands to reason.

[dsm]

In other words, civilization is the 100,000 year hangover from the first drunken stupor?

:jaw:

[CapelDodger]

Actually it all goes further back than 100,000 years, and is largely about a) flavour, to assist in competition with the candy-and-flowers tendency,and b) a less distressing hangover. I've seen hilarious film of plains baboons that get plastered on fermenting fruit then stagger about the next morning, depserately thirsty, clasping their foreheads and moaning. Which doesn't stop them getting loaded again in the afternoon. I'm currently sipping at a glass of tequila which is perfect for making you think you've got a clear head in the morning. That's Progress. Shame the liver hasn't kept up with the brain, but somewhere up the Homo evolutionary line is the perfect drinker. Probably with a strong Russian heritage.

[Brown]

I believe Isaac Asimov mentions the importance of fermentation in his Chronology of the World. Alcohol killed as lot of those nasty little germs that tended to cause sickness and shorten lifespan.

[WildCat]

Originally posted by Brown
I believe Isaac Asimov mentions the importance of fermentation in his Chronology of the World. Alcohol killed as lot of those nasty little germs that tended to cause sickness and shorten lifespan.
There was an article in, I think, Scientific American about this 5 or so years ago. In fact, until the last 100 years or so beer was much safer to drink than water and w/o it many more people would have died of water-borne diseases over the history of mankind.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Once, I was at the grocery store and all I was buying was beer and bread. I said aloud, "What am I? An Egyptian."

No one in line got the joke.

[Tony]

Whats the Obession With Beer (http://host.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28072)

[a_unique_person]

I have also heard that magic mushrooms were an early source of 'magical' thoughts and mysticism.

[WildCat]

Originally posted by a_unique_person
I have also heard that magic mushrooms were an early source of 'magical' thoughts and mysticism.
I've felt magical a few times. :D

[shemp]

Originally posted by Occasional Chemist
Another interesting tidbit:

Rank of New Hampshire among states in per capita beer sales: 2

Is this why the Libertarians want to move there?

I apologize for us not being number one, and I am working on it furiously.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by Tony
Whats the Obession With Beer (http://host.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28072)

Perhaps this thread and the content of the link Tricky provided will answer the question posed in the other thread.

[peptoabysmal]

So, rednecks drinking a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon are actually furthering evolution?

Hmmm.... Maybe those creationists are on to something.

[Hypocolius]

Originally posted by CapelDodger
I've seen hilarious film of plains baboons that get plastered on fermenting fruit then stagger about the next morning, depserately thirsty, clasping their foreheads and moaning. .

Ah, the film Animals are Beautiful People, where animals in the bush are supposed to get drunk on fallen Marula fruit. Not true, the film was faked. Oranges injected with vodka is what I've heard.

[BillyTK]

Originally posted by Brown
I believe Isaac Asimov mentions the importance of fermentation in his Chronology of the World. Alcohol killed as lot of those nasty little germs that tended to cause sickness and shorten lifespan.

Except for those who chose to boil their water to sterilise it (and added herbs to flavour it), and so never evolved the enzyme to break down alcohol.

So it's neck and neck between beer and tea...

[Cleopatra]

Originally posted by WildCat

There was an article in, I think, Scientific American about this 5 or so years ago. In fact, until the last 100 years or so beer was much safer to drink than water and w/o it many more people would have died of water-borne diseases over the history of mankind.

The same stands for wine. As you know in antiquity "wine" was nothing but a fermented mud. People used to mix it with water in order to drink it. Now we believe that they mixed it with water in order to sterilize the water and not to drink the wine.

Capel Dodger you are insufferable.

[Ove]

12000 years of development ending with what??? BUDWEISER!!!!!! You americans should be ashamed of yourself.:wink8:

[Cleon]

Originally posted by Ove
12000 years of development ending with what??? BUDWEISER!!!!!! You americans should be ashamed of yourself.:wink8:

Hey, remember, evolution isn't that popular of a concept over here. :D

Hey, Randi--maybe you can work that into the definition of "bright:" "...And drinks imported beer."

[CapelDodger]

from peptoabysmal:
So, rednecks drinking a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon are actually furthering evolution?
They are if they're driving.

From Hypocolius:
Ah, the film Animals are Beautiful People, where animals in the bush are supposed to get drunk on fallen Marula fruit. Not true, the film was faked. Oranges injected with vodka is what I've heard.
Killjoy.

[CapelDodger]

From Ove:
12000 years of development ending with what??? BUDWEISER!!!!!! You americans should be ashamed of yourself
The Belgians are vastly more advanced, obviously. And there's a Czech Budweiser that isn't at all bad. I read somewhere that micro-breweries producing quality beer are a growing phenomenon in the US; is that right? I warn you: American beer is one reason I don't visit.

[peptoabysmal]

Originally posted by CapelDodger
from peptoabysmal:

They are if they're driving.

From Hypocolius:

Killjoy.

Dang, CarpelTunnel, er... CapelDoder, it makes me want to go right out and buy a gun rack for my pickup truck.

[TwoShanks]

Oranges injected with vodka? OK, I'm trying that as soon as possible..

On the beer topic, I think it's reached a pinnacle in the mighty Grolsch lager. Fridge contents: 24 bottles Grolsch, 1 lettuce, 1 nectarine.

Student life - it's fantastic.

[Hypocolius]

Originally posted by CapelDodger

Killjoy.

Sorry about that! That particular film has always been one of my pet hates though, I mean what kind of ********* gets animals drunk and then films it and pretends it was real? (Actually the answer to that is probably Disney)

[CapelDodger]

from Hypocolius:
I mean what kind of ********* gets animals drunk and then films it and pretends it was real?
They were probably pissed when they thought it up.

from peptoabysmal:
Dang, CarpelTunnel, er... CapelDoder, it makes me want to go right out and buy a gun rack for my pickup truck.
Another reason for not visiting the States. For some reason I'm reminded of a British vegetarian on business in Wyoming who asked a waitress "What would you recommend for someone who doesn't eat meat?" and was told "I recommend you get the hell out of Wyoming" (reported as true).