History of Medicine

As the world celebrates a muted Saint Patrick’s Day today, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, here’s a blog dedicated to all beer lovers around the world.  I first read about the use of beer in the ancient world during my summer reading assignment for history,  A History of the World in 6 Glasses,  by Tom Standage. It is a fantastic read and highly recommended, not just for history buffs but for anyone who likes reading about history in an informal and interesting way. Starting with a little history of Saint Patrick’s Day: it was a religious festival marking the arrival of Christianity in Ireland which was made into an official feast day. The festival has evolved into a day of revelry during which vast amounts of alcohol, particularly beer, are consumed. So in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, here's a short history of beer and its use in ancient times for much more than just getting drunk.  Beer was one of the oldest beverages consumed by humans, second only to water. With