The History of Beer.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 204, 21 May 1887, Page 6 (Supplement)

The History of Beer.

Professor Suiwackiiofer delivered a lee ture last week to the Vienna Hygienic Society on tho subject of beer. After giving some statistics on the consumption of this beverage (the Vienna " Weekly News n says), the lecturer went on to describe its manufacture and adulteration. The birth' place of beer is Egypt. A papyrus has been discovered on which a father reproaches his son for lounging about in taverns and drinking too much beer. From the Egyptians the art of brewing . beer descended to the Ethiopians. Whilst the Romans despised beer, the Germans of the north of Europe fully appreciated its good qualities. However, the refreshing draught became more popular in the first half of the Middle Ages. In the beginning only convents obtained the monopoly of brewing beer ; but later on the privilege was extended to lay corporations. In Austria the first brewery was established in Vienna in 15G0, and beer soon became the favourite beverage of all classes of society; At present the yearly production throughout the whole world amounts to 140,000,000 hectolitres, England taking the lead with 48,000,000. Professor Schwackhofer thinks that beer fully deserves the designation of " liquid bread,'* as it is undoubtedly nutritive, and lesa liable to be adulterated than wine.

Amateur performances are permissible during Lent. Strictly speaking, they da • nqt come under the head of amusements. '