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When Beer Was Safer Than Water

Ian Lee Technology

" So hear me out, the problem was, for most of human history, that a clean glass of water was a wild fantasy.  "
People's local wells and rivers were often pretty gross full of bacteria, animal waste, and all sorts of other unpleasantness. 

Drinking that stuff was a gamble, and the stakes were often a nasty illness. 

So, what did our ancestors do? They turned to beer! 

And no, this isn't a joke about ancient party animals. Brewing beer required boiling the water, which was the most effective way to kill off all the harmful germs. 

The resulting brew was not only delicious but, more importantly, a safe way to stay hydrated. Now, don't picture people stumbling around drunk all day. The daily "small beer" they drank was low in alcohol, more like a nutritional supplement than a party drink. And they drank a lot of it! 

Adults could consume anywhere from 1 to 5 liters a day, depending on their job. Laborers, especially, might drink even more some records show they could have up to 14 pints (about 8 liters) a day to stay hydrated and fueled. Even children drank it, with some students receiving about 3 pints a day. 

So, next time you take a sip of your filtered, sparkling water, take a moment to thank our ancestors. They saw a problem and didn't just solve it they invented one of the world's most beloved beverages in the process. 

Talk about a happy accident. Cheers to that! 

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