Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a beer.
The history of beer could begin exactly like this, as the most traditional of fairy tales, because its origins are immersed in an equally ancient world with indefinite, almost magical contours. Like folk tales, rich in regional variations and constantly evolving, beer has travelled through the millennia thanks to its ability to renew itself and change along with human beings.
From the first Mesopotamian recipes to industrialised processes and the current craft renaissance, with ever greater attention to wellbeing and quality, this beverage is a tangible emblem not only of creativity and expertise, but also of an ongoing layering of convivial and social practices in evolution, making it a true collective heritage.
Beer is believed to date back around 7,000–6,000 years. The earliest evidence comes from ancient Mesopotamian civilisations and present-day Iran, where archaeological finds show that cereal fermentation was already practised. These communities considered beer not only a nutritious food but also a liturgical and religious element. In Mesopotamia, beer was central to daily life and was often produced at home or in temples. Ancient cuneiform texts exist on the subject, such as the "Hymn to Ninkasi", which contains the first beer recipes in poetic form. In Egypt, this beverage played a fundamental role both in everyday life and religious ceremonies. It is often represented in tomb paintings and reliefs, confirming its cultural significance. With the expansion of the Roman Empire and the integration of peoples, beer began spreading throughout Europe. However, it was during the Middle Ages that its production took on typically artisanal characteristics. Christian monasteries in particular became centres of experimentation and innovation, improving fermentation and preservation techniques. Monks developed recipes that still influence some modern beer styles. The advent of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century brought significant innovations to beer production. Machinery, standardisation of ingredients and new refrigeration techniques made it possible to produce beer on an industrial scale, ensuring greater consistency and constant quality. The first brands also appeared around this time.
In recent years, thanks to its constant ability to keep pace with the times, beer in Italy has experienced a new craft renaissance. Small producers and new formulations have come to the fore, driven by trends such as diversification, including on a regional basis, gluten-free beer and low- or zero-alcohol beer, the latter responding to growing attention to wellbeing. As Massimiliano Gusmeo, CEO of the craft beer e-commerce brand Maltese, explains, “the non-alcoholic trend represents more than a passing fad: today, food and beverage producers and retailers have the opportunity to seize what is proving to be a genuine consumption phenomenon. Non-alcoholic products and a healthy approach to food are now an integral part of users’ expectations”. By anticipating and interpreting changing consumption habits, Maltese created the Healthy section on its e-commerce site some time ago, dedicated to those looking for craft beers meeting specific dietary needs, such as non-alcoholic and gluten-free beers. To the more sceptical about experimenting with these new ranges, the company assures them: “Every beer is the result of passion and innovation, with taste and the variety of aromas, styles and flavours not dependent at all on alcohol content”.
No longer just beer and chips consumed at a counter or on the sofa. Blonde, dark, red, white and more: pairing beer and food at the table is gaining ground on wine. This is thanks to the wide variety of products available, their accessible price and format, and their ability to maintain a youthful, never overly demanding image. The characteristics to consider for pairing range from effervescence to bitterness. You can play on harmony on the palate or contrast, with a certain degree of… fun. Would you like some ideas for pairings where “the best in each brings out the best in the other”? Find a short guide below.
