The History of Beer and Sport-Inspired Breweries
By Erik Roy
When it comes to cold beverages, beer is the king of them with evidence of it being one of the oldest human-made drinks, with data showing the earliest signs of it being made with Barley in Iran around 3500 BCE. Approximately 5,000 years ago, their employers paid workers in Uruk for beer. The renowned Epic of Gilgamesh also highlights beer, illustrating the ‘wild man’ Enkidu being offered it. “… he feasted until satisfied, consumed seven vessels of beer, his spirit lifted, his face beamed, and he burst into song with delight.”
Beer, Beers, and more Beers
Beer has been ingrained in the social fabric of society, with every part of the world having its traditions, styles, and tastes. Ales (such as brown ales, India pale ales, sour ales, or pale ales) and lagers (such as pilsners) are the two primary varieties of beer. Stouts, fruit beers, wheat, porters, and blonde ales are other types of beer. Nearly 400 billion liters are consumed worldwide, with the Czech Republic taking the first prize as the country that drinks most of the golden nectar at a whopping 128 liters per capita per year, rounds out at roughly 387 cans!
First Breweries in North America
The tradition in the United States started over 150 years before the independence from Great Britain when the Jamestown settlers brewed a concoction of beer, molasses, corn, and pumpkins in 1612. This concoction was incredibly popular among the colonists and was consumed for many years after its initial discovery.
As a safe substitute for sometimes tainted water, this early kind of beer, referred to as “small beer,” was a necessary component of many settlers’ daily diets. Due to its low alcohol content, Little Beer was a good option for both kids and adults. It developed into a number of distinct recipes over time, utilizing local products such as pumpkins and corn. In addition to demonstrating the inventiveness of the early immigrants, the utilization of such regional crops set the stage for the development and diversification of the American brewing industry during the ensuing decades.
Yuengling Tradition
Established in 1829, Yuengling is the oldest beer in the United States. Due to its production of “near bears,” which had an alcohol concentration of only 0.5%, it was one of the few early American brewers to survive prohibition. Because of its historical significance, Yuengling is pleased to refer to itself as “America’s Oldest Brewery.”
Visionary David G. Yuengling established the Eagle Brewery business in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Yeungling’s original beers were Lord Chesterfield Ale and Porter, which are still made today. The Yuengling relocated to the present brewery after the first one burned down in 1831.
The most famous beer from the Pennsylvania brewery is the Yuengling lager. Also known as a “Vienna-style” lager, it is an amber-colored beer with an alcohol concentration of 4.4% to 4.7% by volume. A delicate hop finish counterbalances its creamy, malty flavor. It currently ranks in the top 15th of beers most consumed in the US.
Local Breweries
With over 300 million people in the USA, the number of local breweries making beers inspired by the local taste and culture is plentiful. They produce small batches, with some of their favorite styles being the famous IPA (Indian Pale Ale), Lagers, and Stouts. Many of these beers are named with a local theme in mind, like the Imperial Coconut Porter from the Maui Brewing Co., a local Hawaiian brewery.
With the love of beers comes the love of sports, both of America’s pastimes bound in an emotion-filled synergy. These local breweries then brew special drinks to honor their hometown teams. A perfect example is the small Urban South company from the “Big Easy” in New Orleans, Louisiana. They combine European beer-making heritage with the brashness of new American styles. When it comes to the small city next to the Mississippi it is no stranger to being a watering hole for both residents and tourists.
Who Dat Golden Ale
The hometown team, the New Orleans Saints, is famous for their Who Dat chant, and with it comes the inspiration for their iconic beer. Pilsner and flaked barley make Who Dat Golden Ale, which is then fermented using a hybrid yeast that ferments as an ale and then conditions as a lager to produce a crisp and delicious beer. They added Citra hops and Hallertau Blanc to the kettle to make a burst of aromatic lemongrass, green grapes, and citrus. With the Superbowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles taking place in the “Big Easy,” the sales of this local beer rose exponentially. And with the prize picks having the Chiefs as favorites to win the three-peat, it just increased the excitement of the game. Sadly, to the surprise of the millions of spectators, the game was a blowout from the first minute, but the refreshing beverages were always going to be on tap.
Beer and Sports: A Timeless Pairing
Brewing beer has been part of society since early times and has been part of the foundation of human relationships. Most, if not all, major sporting events are sponsored by a big-name brewery like Budweiser, Miller Light, Heineken, or Corona. Worldwide, there are thousands of diverse types of beer with all sorts of flavors and alcohol levels, but one thing is for sure: few beverages taste beer while watching an intense match.