Humans have been brewing beer for more than 6,000 years. Some of the earliest known civilizations, including the Sumerians and the ancient Egyptians, brewed beer alongside each other. In the Middle Ages, monks famously honed the craft. And by the 11th century, hops had made its debut in Germany.
In recent decades, microbrewing has seen a revival as local and home brewers take matters into their own hands. But although the art of brewing beer is thousands of years old, the chemistry behind the process remains exactly the same.