Beer is as old as civilization—maybe older. Written
records of beer date back at least to the fifth
millennium BC in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, but scientists speculate that beer
might date back to 9500 BC, when cereal was first farmed. Beer may in fact have
invented itself without the help of people since almost any cereal containing
certain sugars can undergo spontaneous fermentation. It could have happened
when some grain got wet and fermented by chance. The Ancient Sumerians are
widely given credit for successfully reproducing the
process and their hymn to their beer goddess, Ninkasi, is also a recipe for
making beer.
Archeologists still aren’t sure which came first, beer or bread (my
money is on beer). But those two inventions are arguably responsible for
humanity’s ability to abandon its hunting and gathering ways, develop
technology and build civilization.
On July 25, beer lovers will have an opportunity to learn about the
science of beer from some of the Bay Area’s best brewers at the California
Academy of Sciences’ Science of Brewing NightLifeevent. Featured breweries will include 21st Amendment Brewery, Almanac Beer Co., Anchor Brewing Company, Calicraft Brewing
Company, Drake’s Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing
Company, Mad
River Brewing Company, Social
Kitchen & Brewery and others. In a
presentation called “The Terrior of Beer,” Jesse Friedman of Almanac and Kim
Sturdavant of Social Kitchen will discuss the benefits of drinking locally
brewed beer made with local ingredients. The legendary Mark Carpenter, who has
been at Anchor Brewing since 1971, will supply some local history and you can also
explore the discoveries of brewer-astronomer Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687) at
6:30 in the Planetarium, followed by two showings of Earthquake.
In addition to the talks, you’ll be able to sample some of the Bay
Area’s finest beers and hob nob with brewers and other people who love beer.
Except for drinking beer, beer lovers and professional and amateur brewers like
nothing better than talking about beer.
Please note that this event is only open to those
who are 21 and older.
Tickets are $12 per person ($10 for Academy
members).
What: Science of Brewing NightLife
When: Thursday, July 25
First admission is at 6 p.m.
Where: California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
