That the ancients used the "juice of the grape," and that almost as a
common drink, has never been doubted by the most cursory reader of
history; the knowledge of this liquor being nearly coeval with the
first formation of society. In the Book of Genesis we read that Noah
after the flood planted a vineyard, "_manufactured_" wine, and got
intoxicated with this "nectar fit for gods." Beer can likewise boast
of as great antiquity. Its use was not unknown by the Egyptians; as we
are informed by Herodotus that the people of Egypt made use of _a kind
of wine_ made from dried barley, because no vines grew in that
country. According to Tacitus, in his time beer was the common drink
of the Germans, who drank it in preference to that more stimulating
(if not more nutritious) liquor, wine. We are also informed by Pliny,
that it was made and was in common use amongst the Gauls, and by many
of their neighbours. The name he gave to this drink was "_cerevisia_"
which evidently alludes to the article from which it was composed.
Although these nations held this liquor in such estimation, there has
been no record to inform us of their mode of preparing it.
Ale was introduced into our country centuries ago, by our Saxon
ancestors, and it was not long ere it became the favourite and common
drink of all classes of society.
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