History of Alcohol
Alcohol can be traced back as far as 10,000 BC.
Needless to say it has played many different roles since that time. Egyptian hieroglyphics show images of wine back to 4000 BC. It is thought that the actual invention of alcohol was a mere accident. Even if that is so, it is an accident that has affected the entire world since, and in more ways than one. In ancient Egypt, the God of Wine was also considered to be the God of Beer and everyday consumption was all but mandatory. They did, however, warn against over-using the substance.
* In the early days, alcohol was probably made from honey and berries.
Even the Bible mentions Noah planting a vineyard. In China, alcohol was considered a spiritual food and also dates back BC. In fact, an Imperial statement made in 1116 BC stated that use of alcohol in moderation was prescribed by heaven. The Romans also have a history of drinking in moderation. As with all other cultures, however, drinking in moderation is not the problem. Drinking to excess and alcoholism are the problem. They were a problem back then just as much as they are now.
By the end of the Middle Ages, England, France and Scotland all began seeing an increase in the popularity of beer. In fact, disrupting the beer or beer process was punishable by death for a time in Scotland. From this period on, the notion that moderate drinking was acceptable became the norm. Being drunk was still frowned upon but more in some areas than others. Being publicly drunk was seen more as a nuisance than a true crime or sin. In the 16th century, production of alcohol increased dramatically. It was said that “the sixteenth century created it; the seventeenth century consolidated it; the eighteenth popularized it“ (Braudel).
* From that point, all alcohol as we now know it came into production.
Champagne, Whiskey, and other distilled spirits. Early in the 17th Century, the first distillery was established in “The Colonies”. In the 18th Century, the English government encouraged production of alcohol to increase the sales of the grains needed for production. Gin became the alcohol of choice for many people who did not have the wealth to afford some of the more expensive liquors.
Drunkenness was very much as accepted part of society throughout the 18th century. Throughout history, alcohol has served many purposes. To say that all of them were bad would be misleading. Certainly alcohol for medicinal purposes and in true moderation, have their value. * It is the misuse of the alcohol whether intentional or unintentional that leads to destruction. *
