In Munich, the 181st beer festival Oktoberfest, one of the largest beer events in the world, which usually consumes at least 6 million liters of beer, opens its doors. In the spirit of the happiest beer holiday, let us reveal some interesting facts about beer that you probably did not know.
Oktoberfest, the beer festival also known as "Wiesn", is considered one of the most massive parties in the world, which has been taking place with short interruptions since 1810. The holiday began as a "wedding party" of the heir to the throne Louis I and his fiancée Princess Therese . The party achieves many surpluses every year; sales at least 6 million liters of beer, around 1,600 waiters serve at the venue, beer is brewed in six breweries and huge tents are set up.
In the spirit of a happy holiday, we reveal interesting facts about beer that you probably didn't know.
1. The first beer lovers were the Sumerians
Beer was brewed eight thousand years ago, but the first real beer lovers are said to be the Sumerians. Their gods in the paintings often have large glasses of beer in their hands.
2. Beer is deadly
In 1814, there was a huge explosion in a London brewery, where almost 400,000 liters of beer exploded, which was then washed away into the poorer part of London. Two houses and a bar were destroyed, and nine people died.
3. In ancient times, brewing belonged to women
In some cultures, brewing beer was such an honor that only the most distinguished and beautiful women could brew it. Some medieval brewers became famous and sold it as their product.
4. Monks were one of the few men who brewed beer in ancient times
Some monasteries were famous for their beer production. Monks from Belgium and the Netherlands were especially famous.
5. Beer as medicine
Shortly after Prohibition began, the US government decreed that doctors could prescribe beer as a cure for health problems. Not long after, the decree was withdrawn and the distribution of alcohol was taken over by the mafia.
6. Beer as a source of vitamins and minerals
By drinking beer, we consume vitamins B1, B2, B6, B5 and biotin. In addition to vitamins, beer also contains minerals: phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, fluorine. Trace elements copper, manganese, zinc, aluminum, iron are also important.
7. Beer - liquid bread
In the old days, beer was called liquid bread. Why? Depending on the extract, a liter of beer provides 400-500 kilocalories, while 250-390 kilocalories are lost per calories created from the alcohol in the beer. The remaining calories are part of the extract, which the human body usefully uses to build the body.
8. Beer and mythology
Almost every polytheistic religion associates at least one of its gods with alcohol. The Finnish epic Kalevala is full of verses about beer. The Egyptian lion goddess Sekhmet gave up killing forever after drinking it. The Greeks and Romans, however, had Dionysus and Bacchus, both dedicated to drinking, dancing, wine, orgies and, of course, beer.
9. Legal drinking ages
In most countries where beer is legal, the legal drinking age is between sixteen and twenty-one. The biggest deviation from the average is India, which has raised the drinking age to twenty-five in some parts of its country.
10. Beer has a positive effect on our health in moderate quantities
Beer has a calming effect on the nervous system, regulates blood pressure and increases blood flow to the heart, kidneys and brain. The biochemical composition of beer stimulates metabolism because it contains vitamin H, and it is also useful in the fight against baldness and dandruff.
