Millet Beer Brewed Before the Pyramids
Archaeologists studying residues inside 9,000-year-old pottery from China discovered the earliest chemical traces of intentionally fermented cereal drinks—made from millet, rice, and honey. These early brews predate both Egyptian beer and Mesopotamian barley beer by several millennia. Communities celebrated seasonal festivals by sharing this frothy drink from communal jars, strengthening social bonds.
💡 Fun detail:
Scientists recreated the ancient recipe and found the millet beer had a cloudy pink hue and a gentle tartness reminiscent of today’s lambic ales.
Source: National Geographic