What Is Beer? Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask at the Pub

Beer isn’t just a drink. It’s craft, tradition, chemistry — and just a touch of magic. Especially if you brew it yourself — in your garage, on your kitchen, or in your brand-new microbrewery. Let’s break down where beer came from, what it’s made of, the styles it comes in, and where it’s loved just as much as you love brewing it.

When Did Beer First Appear?

Beer is older than your grandma, a wheel, and even written language. The first brewers showed up in ancient Sumer around 6,000 years ago. Back then, beer was cloudy, sour, and sipped through straws — not for style points, but because the grain pulp floated on top.

The Core Ingredients

The four pillars of the beer universe:

• Water — impacts the flavor more than you could imagine. Yep, even if you use a €300 filter.

• Malt — is made from barley, wheat, and other grains, that can be in caramel, chocolate, and in a dozen other varieties.

• Hops — bring aroma and bitterness. Without them, beer would be like a tea without any leaves.

• Yeast — the quiet alchemists. They eat sugar and release alcohol and CO₂. Simple. Magical.

Additions? Absolutely. From orange peel to chili peppers — in craft brewing, there are no limits.

Main Styles of Beer

Want to make sense of it all? Start with fermentation styles:

• Lagers — cold-fermented, clean, refreshing. Examples: Pilsner, Helles, Dunkel.

• Ales — warm-fermented, bold, full-bodied. Examples: IPA, APA, Stout, Belgian Tripel.

• Sours — old-school and tangy. Berliner Weisse, Gose, Lambic — for the brave and curious.

That’s the timeless classics of brewing. But if you’re to break the mold — welcome to craft beer. No rules, just ideas, inspiration, and the taste of experimentation.

Who Drinks the Most?

I Europe, Germany leads the way with around 103 million hectoliters, followed by Poland (~37 million hl) and the UK (~49.5 million hl).

Per capita consumption in Europe is on top in Czechia — with 138–152 liters per person per year the Czechs have no competitors holding the crown for years.

The global beer consumption leader is no doubt China holding first place for 21 years straight.

But whether you’re in Iceland or Thailand, you’ll find craft breweries making IPAs inspired by California homebrewers. That is how it works in the modern world.

What About Non-Alcoholic Beer?

Yes, beer doesn’t always have to contain alcohol. Thanks to modern brewing technology, it’s now possible to craft flavorful and aromatic non-alcoholic beer that keeps its character — just without the alcohol.

It’s perfect for those who are driving, working out, on a lunch break, or simply want the taste — without the after-effects.

The Bottom Line

Beer isn’t just a drink. It’s your opportunity to create, experiment, mess up, and brew again. It brings together generations, tastes and traditions.

Already brewing? Just thinking about it? Then you’re in the right place. And at mykegs.de, we’re here to support your brewing journey — with kegs, hops, equipment, and knowledge, all in one spot.