Beer.

• Author: Zhou, Jane
• Position: LIFE-CYCLE STUDIES

Overview

Enkidu, a man raised by wild animals in the classic Sumerian poem Epic of Gilgamesh, knew nothing of beer until a prostitute guided him to a shepherd's camp. Upon finishing seven full cups, "his soul became free and cheerful, his heart rejoiced, his face glowed. ... He became human." Beer was so popular throughout ancient Mesopotamia that some historians argue it inspired the earliest farmers to domesticate grain.

Rich in carbohydrates, protein, and, of course, alcohol, beer became a dietary staple for many cultures throughout history. In Elizabethan England, mothers safeguarded their adolescents from foul water by serving them "beer stew"--stale bread mixed with beer and spices.

Beer is the third most popular drink in the world, after water and tea. Per-capita annual consumption is...