Beer = Wealth?

As a student of history, I can't help but notice the great role that beer has played in the development of civilization. After all, the most advanced civilizations have been beerdrinking civilizations, as it comes to light that the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians and Romans--each respectively the leading culture of their respective times--discovering beermaking and leading the way in brewing compared to their surrounding barbarian neighbors. (No wonder the barbarians wanted in!) Of course, one could say the same about wine, which was popular in all the Mediterranean cultures and in large part still is--grapes can grow quite well in the temperate climates of southern Europe and North Africa.

Every few years we hear a new story that archaeologists have found an ancient beer recipe, and some brewer decides to try and replicate it. We hear little followup as to whether the recipe was any good though, and I'd be curious if any of our readers have had the opportunity to sample such beverages.

Why would a richer civilization require the production of alcoholic beverages? The best theory is that industrious minds need their leisure, and an intoxicant will do the trick. A poorer society cannot devote precious grain or fruits to making alcoholic beverages instead of food--this was the original reason why Mohammed banned alcohol in the sparse desert communities where Islam took hold, and also why you might have a hard time finding a terrific African beer. Alcohol is a luxury, to be sure, and we can probably measure the wealth of a society based on its consumption of such beverages.