A History Of The World In 6 Glasses Summary

A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage Reflection

• The rise of beer was closely associated with the domestication of grains and the eventual adoption of farming by nomadic tribes after they began settling into an agricultural lifestyle in the areas surrounding the Fertile Crescent. Beer was a unifying force in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt because everyone had access to it and it wasn’t just a drink for the rich. Beer was often times used as a form of currency because it was universally accessible by the entire populous. Beer was often times used as a form of payment, many of the slaves who helped construct the pyramids were paid in pints of beer depending on their role in the construction process. Beer was first used as a social drink and as a religious offering and many associated beers with prosperity and well-being due to its effects when consumed in large amounts.
• Wine was an important force behind some of the greatest scientific discoveries of our time and thinkers like Plato used wine as a model for their philosophies. To many Greeks, wine conveyed political power, prestige, and privilege and eventually embodied Greek ideals and became more widely available as time progressed. The Greeks believed that they were more civilized because they drank …show more content…
As a result, colonists turned to alcoholic beverages such as rum, brandy or gin because it was easily imported and could be shipped in large quantities. However, colonists soon learned of whiskey which was an even cheaper alternative to other alcoholic drinks. This drink became the new drink of choice for the colonists and was consumed on a daily basis by many. Colonists considered whiskey as a symbol of freedom and democracy. Colonists equally enjoyed whiskey regardless of age, social standing or wealth and could drink it just like everyone could be liberated and independent in the colonies during the