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Beer is one of the most famous and popular drinks in the world. There are countless brands, varieties and flavors. Beer appeared before our era, and its centuries-old history includes many transformations. But this drink does not arise by itself – it is prepared by brewers.
Brewer’s Day in 2023 in Our Country will be widely celebrated in June. Let’s talk about its history and traditions.
When is Brewer’s Day celebrated in Our Country in 2023
The holiday takes place every year on a different date, but it is always second Saturday in June. In 2023, the holiday falls on 10th number. Brewer’s Day is a holiday and is celebrated only in our country. However, the festivities are held on a grand scale and not only the heroes of the occasion take part in them.
history of the holiday
Brewer’s Day is a young holiday, it appeared only in 2003. The holiday is unofficial and is not celebrated at the state level. It was established by the Council of the Union of Brewers on January 23 in St. Petersburg.
The history of the holiday itself is small, but the history of beer and brewing is rich.
It is not known for certain when people started brewing beer. But scientists found indirect evidence of this process in the 8th millennium BC. in Göbekli Tepe, as well as in Israel in the 11th millennium BC. It is possible to speak with confidence about the manufacture of beer from the 6th millennium BC. – this allows you to make the findings of scientists in Mesopotamia.
Initially, brewing was a women’s profession. At that time, beer was made from barley, and they drank from large vessels through a straw. Over time, the technology improved, beer began to be filtered during production, and straws were gradually abandoned. In ancient times, beer was often safer than contaminated water.
It is assumed that beer came from Sumer to Egypt, since their recipes are extremely similar. In Egypt, the first brewers were also women. And by 3000 BC. beer began to be exported to other countries. In ancient Egypt, this drink was an important part of the culture and life of the people.
From Ancient Egypt, beer came to Ancient Greece, but the drink was not appreciated there: it was believed that only barbarians drink it. Ancient Rome was also not impressed with the new drink, and in general the Romans considered it smelly. Tacitus called it “a disgusting brew”.
In Europe, beer appeared later, around 3200-2500 BC. and its preparation was carried out in the settlement of Skara Brae. In the 1500s BC. Germanic tribes prepared beer in special pits and in some cases added henbane berries. In the northern regions, where it is problematic to grow crops, honey, berries and other products were often added to beer.
The first known brewer in Britain is the Roman Atrektus, who lived there in the early XNUMXst century AD.
The process of making beer in Our Country also dates back to ancient times. In the times of Our Country and the ancient Slavs, the words “drink” and “beer” were synonymous. It is impossible to know the exact time of the appearance of beer in Our Country; no evidence has yet been found. The first mentions of this valuable drink were found during the excavations of Ancient Novgorod in birch bark No. 3, but they called it differently – “perevar”. This word denoted an intoxicating drink, consisting of honey and beer, sometimes they were replaced by tribute for the use of land. There are suggestions that in the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries, the Slavs in the east brewed beer from millet and rye, and later, by the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries, they began to use barley. By the XNUMXth century, taverns appeared in Our Country – drinking establishments. Arranged “beer holidays” – brothers. In Our Country, the main brewers were monks.
A full-fledged production of beer in Our Country appeared by the end of the 200th century, the first plant was built in Kaluga. And by the beginning of the XNUMXth century, there were already about XNUMX factories in Moscow alone. Since then, the brewing process has been rapidly developing and changing. Trends come and go, fashion changes in taste, aging and strength of the drink. The latest trend can be considered craft beer, which is often brewed in mini-breweries or even at home.
Holiday traditions
Like many other unofficial holidays, Brewer’s Day has no established traditions. Although the brewers themselves are doing a lot to popularize the foamy drink. On this day, factories open their doors to everyone who wants to come on a tour. Employees attend conferences, seminars, lectures. Discuss issues and summarize.
Festivities and festivals are held, for which brewers brew special beer and treat everyone. Not only brewers and their relatives, but also all beer lovers can take part in the celebration. Contests, competitions, promotions, marathons are held.
And although beer is a valuable drink, popular at all times, we should not forget that it should not be abused.
How to become a brewer
The most obvious path to the profession of a brewer is to get an appropriate education. In universities, a suitable program is “Biotechnologies of fermentation industries”. For self-development, you need to take constant refresher courses.
A brewer is a chemist, so it is important to understand the processes that take place in a drink during its preparation. And, of course, a brewer should not have problems with alcohol: for a specialist, beer is a product for the quality of which he is responsible.
Such a specialist can work both at a large enterprise and in small private breweries.