This chapter traces the spatial diffusion of beer from the Fertile Crescent region and on to Egypt, then throughout Europe via the Roman conquest. The importance of Catholic monasteries to the development of beer culture in Europe during the Middle Ages is reviewed, along with the rise of commercial brewing and the decline of monastic brewing in early modern Europe. This chapter also discuss the dissemination of beer culture to Colonial America and later in the United States. Topics discussed include the role of German immigrants in the development of nineteenth century beer industry. Twentieth Century topics discussed include prohibition, post-World War II mass production and consolidation, and the rise of microbreweries.
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