Beer is one of the world's oldest alcoholic beverages, possibly brewed for the first time over 10,000 years ago, according to renowned beer writer Michael Jackson. It is afermented beverage made from malted barley , hops , yeast and water, and is carbonated in almost all cases. By altering the production method (changes in time and temperature, for example) or the ingredients, a staggeringly wide variety of different types of beer can be produced. Much like fine wines, many beers can also be aged and evolve into beverages that defy the common definitions of beer.

It is the brewer's art, and a true art it is, that turns these simple materials into a sheer endless variety of divine gustatory pleasures

There are many types of beer and these include:

~ Lager – such as - Bock - Dry beer - Pilsner - Schwarzbier - Oktoberfest

~ Ale – such as - Porter - Stout ale - Bitter ale - Mild ale - Stock ale - Pale ale - Real ale - Wheat beer - Barleywine

There are over 70 styles of beer available with each style deriving its unique characteristics from its ingredients and brewing process. Today beer is a major industry worldwide with millions of barrels being consumed by a thirsty market every year.