(Credit: shyshak roman/Shutterstock) Two pits recently unearthed in China contained archaeological evidence of what could be one of the world's oldest microbreweries. Located at the Mijiaya archaeological site in northern China, the pits contained a number of vessels of varying shapes as well as small stoves. The archaeologists studying the site say the ancient inhabitants had all of the tools necessary to produce a favorite fermented beverage from millet, barley and other grains. They also analyzed the yellowish coating found on the inside of the vessels and found evidence of steeping, mashing and fermentation — all steps in the beer-making process. Using carbon dating, the researchers estimate that the pits are anywhere from 4,900 to 5,400 years old.
The ancient recipe for beer included broomcorn millet, barley, Job's tears (a type of grain-bearing plant native to south-east Asia), and tubers. The grains were likely ground into a mash and heated ...
