Fark had this link to a pretty interesting article on Beer and Civilization. While the author makes some questionable statements (“Noah carried beer on the ark.”), there is some interesting information, especially on the widespread enjoyment of beer in ancient Egypt. Joseph’s rise to power was based on his interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, and warning him to store the grain for a seven-year famine. The author asserts that much of Egypt’s grain was converted to beer.

“Beer gave people protein that unfermented grain couldn’t supply. And besides, it tasted a whole lot better than the unfermented grain did.”

Another interesting quote from the article:

“The British called the taverns of colonial America ‘hotbeds of sedition.’ And they were right. Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty planned the Boston Tea Party at their favorite meeting place–the Green Dragon Tavern.”