Looking at the history of the world through it's 6 favourite drinks might seem a bit unusual. But this lens throws light on changes in culture as well as power throughout the ages.
In this engaging conversation, Tom Standage, author of the New York Times Bestseller, "A History of the World in 6 Glasses," delves into the rich histories of beer and wine, highlighting their cultural and social impacts through the ages. He begins by discussing the origins of beer, which dates back over 5,000 years and initially lacked hops, making it quite different from today's brews. Early beers often included fruits to add sugar for fermentation, blurring the line between beer and wine in ancient times.
Standage explains that beer was a staple for the working class, including the builders of the pyramids, who received beer as part of their rations. This historical link between beer and the common man persists today, with beer seen as an "honest drink" associated with laborers.
Wine, on the other hand, was initially an elite beverage in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, affordable only to the wealthy due to its costly transport from mountainous regions. The Greeks and Romans later democratized wine consumption by increasing production, yet maintained a hierarchy of wine quality. Wine became a symbol of status, with higher quality wines served to esteemed guests—a tradition still evident today.
The discussion also touches on how ancient drinking customs, such as toasting and the communal nature of early beer consumption, have evolved yet remain embedded in modern culture. Standage notes the distinction in drinking cultures: wine promotes moderate drinking, while beer historically encouraged more immediate consumption due to storage limitations.
Throughout the interview, Standage emphasizes the intertwined histories of beer and wine, showing how these beverages shaped and reflected societal norms, economies, and social structures across different civilizations.