JAKARTA - Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. People have been drinking it for thousands of years. Scientists found evidence that beer production was back in 7.000 BC.

Ancient Mesopotamia wrote poetry about beer and considered it to be evidence of divine existence. Ancient Egyptians used beer in a number of religious ceremonies.

Meanwhile, in the Middle Ages in Europe, monks brought beer to monasteries. They elevated the craft of brewing into an art form.

In 2019, global beer production was around 1.91 billion hectoliters. That figure is up from 1.3 billion hectoliters in 1998.

US beer ban

The world's leading countries in beer production are China, the United States (US), and Brazil. Every April 7th, the US celebrates Beer National Day.

Many breweries prepared a number of beers and try to lure customers in with special offers. But there was a deeper meaning to that unofficial vacation.

Beer was successfully produced legally and sold in the country after a dry season that lasted for many years. The origins of National Beer Day date back to 1919, when Congress passed the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the sale, transportation, and production of alcohol in the US.

This rule marked the beginning of an era of prohibition, which saw many Americans turn to creative ways to enjoy alcoholic beverages. During the 13 years of the alcohol ban, more than 40 percent of the 1.356 factories remained in operation.

Those who make it through some very innovative routes keep on selling beer. Less than 1 percent of beer is allowed to be produced by brewing, which many brewers with varying degrees of success have done.

Several brewers eventually extracted malt for bakers and became involved in the food industry. With all the refrigeration equipment at their disposal, many factories are turning to the dairy industry, making cheese or ice cream.

But this prohibition still dealt a crushing blow to other industries until the late 1970s. At that time, there were only about a hundred breweries in the US owned by a handful of large companies.

Beer is legalized again in the US

Later, Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as president. Americans underwent a change when Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, which once again made the sale and consumption of low-alcohol drinks such as beer and wine legal in the US.

The 32nd president took on this role during the Great Depression in 1932. The enactment of the new law helped unblock much-needed revenue that could be generated through the sale of alcoholic beverages.

The law was passed on March 22, 1933, marking the first time Americans have legally been able to comfortably drink brewski again. But officially, the act took effect on April 7, 1933, prompting many Americans to take to the streets and celebrate by drinking beer together.

In 2009, a Virginia man named Justin Smith decided to commemorate this historic day and make National Beer Day his own unofficial. Since then, it has been recognized by the state of Virginia and unofficially by millions of drink enthusiasts across the country.

One of the best things about beer is the huge variety there is and the list goes on and on. In terms of alcohol content, beer is usually in the range of 4-7 percent alcohol, making it great to drink as a cold summer drink without worrying too much about poisoning.

National Beer Day also gives beer lovers the opportunity to enjoy everything from stouts to pilsners through the many offerings that restaurants around the country have to offer.

*Read other information about WORLD HISTORY or read other interesting writings from Putri Ainur Islam.

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