Beer Was Discovered by Sumerians

This ancient drink was discovered by accident by the Sumerians some seven thousand years ago. It is believed that while baking bread, a mixture of corn and water in a clay vessel fermented under the influence of the sun’s heat, thus resulting in the inebriant blend. Indeed, the people became most enthusiastic about this drink and called it »sikaru«  - a drink that could be eaten and bread that could be drunk! The beverage became so important to the Sumerian civilisation that about 40% of all corn production was used for brewing. Beer was used as currency in the exchange of goods and the payment of workers; it was also widely utilised as a medicine as well as in religious ceremonies and rituals. In short: to the Sumerians, beer was a most hallowed drink.