A Brief History of Alcohol

Alcohol production likely began when early farmers noted that fermentation took place in fallen fruit.

Trial and error finally resulted in formulas that could be repeated.  Alcohol production started in an organized fashion nearly 10,000 years ago with a fermented drink that was produced from wild yeasts and honey.

It is possible that alcoholic beverages were used in China well before they were used throughout the globe.  It is thought that alcoholic drinks were used in China as part of celebrations, when taking an oath of office or going into battle, as well as occasions such as births, deaths, and marriages.

By 800 BC, barley and rice beer were being produced in India.  In 600 AD, the Prophet Mohamed ordered his adherents to refrain from alcohol.  Other Eastern Religions followed.  By 1100 AD, a medical school in in Italy developed distillation resulting in a much purer, stronger alcoholic drink.  By the 1600’s, drunkenness had become widespread, with the abuse of beer, wine, and spirits.

In America, the first distillery was founded in Staten Island, New York, and brewers were supplied with hops from Massachusetts.  As industrialization spread across America, a culture of sobriety also spread as mill and factory operators sought reliable employees who could work.  In 1920, America made an unsuccessful attempt to completely ban alcohol, but Prohibition did little to curb drinking and gave rise to organized crime and illegal alcohol.

It is clear that addiction to alcohol is not new.  The human mind and body have been at war with alcohol for centuries with individuals, families, employers, and communities all paying the price.