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Because of the differing ingredients used to make beer in different places, type, taste and colour vary widely around the world.
Ale, is the ancient word for a fermented alcoholic beverage obtained chiefly from Malted Barley and in the UK, Real Ale, been a living product, is the closest thing currently available to traditional ale.
Historical and archaeological research shows that beer has been brewed since at least 4,000BC and possibly as far back as 6,000 to 8,000BC. It was known to the Sumerians, Egyptians and its invention is often attributed to the Mesopotamians. It spread across the ancient world eventually reaching Rome where Caeser's invading army brought it to Britain in 55AD. Another of the many things that we can thank the Romans for.
The Roman Aristocracy may have preferred to drink wine but beer was popular with the army and rapidly gained favour with the native Britains, not least as it was often safer to drink than the water, but also as a source of nourishment.
Beer retained its popularity long after the Romans had fled these shores. In fact the Domesday book of 1086 lists more than 40 breweries.
Originally beer was brewed without hops as these were only introduced from Scandinavia in the Tenth Century but were not widely used until the Fifteenth Century when growing became widespread in Kent. The addition of Hops did not find favour with everyone, Henry VIII objected to this foreign habit of putting hops into beer and threatened to have it outlawed. Hops add flavour and aroma to the beer as well as acting as a preservative.
Much early brewing took place in Monasteries with the Monks introducing many of the improved brewing techniques which developed over the centuries.
But with the split between Henry VIII and Rome bringing about the dissolution of the Monasteries the fine art of brewing passed into the hands of landowners and farmers who set up private brewhouses for farmworkers and staff. Local farmers such as the famous Kitty Brewster of Blyth served ale brewed on her farm to the local community. These were the forerunners of the breweries we have today.
Commercial breweries began to spring up in the Sixteenth Century serving their local communities until 30,000 breweries were registered in the 1870's.
The beer act of 1830 allowed any householder to gain a licence from the excise authority to allow them to brew and sell beer. Despite this many breweries closed down due to commercial pressure. In fact only 55 independent breweries operating at the turn of the 20th Century are still with us today.
Sheperd Neame Ltd of Faversham, Kent is reputedly the oldest surviving brewery with a history of continuous brewing since its opening in 1698. While the oldest surviving brewpub is believed to be the Blue Anchor in Helston in Cornwall which became a pub around the middle of the sixteenth century. The oldest pub in Britain is probably the Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham, part of which is cut from the rock of the castle and was the castle malt house. This part dates back to 1189.
Fortunately the rise of the microbrewery and the brew pub have revitalised the market for real ale with over 400 currently active in the UK bringing a refreshing variety of flavours to an appreciative audience.
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