12 Interesting Beer Facts

August 4th is International Beer, so to celebrate here are 12 fun facts about beer! And remember: don’t operate heavy machinery when drinking. If you need your lawn mowed, use the Plowz & Mowz app, and we’ll send someone to mow your lawn for you so you can enjoy all the beer in the world.

1. Beer is one of the oldest beverages in the world

Archeologists uncovered beer residue on ceramic vessels that date back to 3400 B.C.E. in the Middle East. This was also where barley based beer was first made. Most ancient beers were made with dates, olive oil and finally mandrake. Although popular now, brewers only started using hops in the Middle Ages.

2. There is a fear of an empty glass

Many bar patrons experience cenosillicaphobia throughout the course of night out. If you have this fear, please see your local bartender for a refill!

3. Beer is the third most popular drink in the world

Water obviously ranks first, with tea coming in second. Beer is also the most popular alcoholic drink in the world.

4. The most expensive beer is “Vieille Bon Secours” which is from Belgium

Vieille Bon Secours is brewed by Caulier and the 12-lire bottle costs over $1000. While even for just a pint you will have to pay around $50. People who have tasted this beer have described it as having some toffee, caramel, and citric flavors

5. The strongest beer in the world is “Snake Venom” made by Brewmeister

This Scottish beer has 67.5% ABV. In contrast, a normal beer has about 5% ABV. It is made with champagne yeast, smoked peat malt, and finally ale yeast. Adventurous drinkers can taste this beer in the UK. At as much as $77 per 330 mL, it is definitely on the pricey side.

6. The largest beer festival in the world is Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is held every year in Munich, Germany, and runs for 16-18 days. More than six million people come from all over the world to drink large quantities of Oktoberfest beer and to eat traditional foods like Wurstl (sausages), Brezen (soft pretzels), and Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes).

beer day

Via GIPHY

7. Beer helps get rid of kidney stones

According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, a bottle of beer a day reduces the risk by about 40%. Beer forces the kidney to get rid of the stones, due to the amount of liquid in the body increasing, which is why beer is considered to be a diuretic (which means it increases the amount of urine produced).

8. The largest craft brewery in America is Yuengling

Yuengling is also considered to be the oldest brewing company in the United States. It has been immensely popular on the East Coast since 1829. German immigrant David Gottieb Jungling founded this brewery. The business has stayed in the family too, currently a fifth-generation family member operates the brewery.

international beer day

9. The state that drinks the most beer is North Dakota

Every resident drinks around 43.6 gallons of beer a year. Utah ranks as the state that drinks the least amount of beer a year, as much as around 20.2 gallons per capita a year. This is probably due to the fact that there is a large population of Mormons in the sate.

10. There are around 400 types of beer in the world

The country with the most individual beer brands is Belgium. Trappist monks are brewing the most popular beer there, Chimay, also brewed in Hainaut, Belgium.

types of beer

11. Snow is the best selling beer in the world

It is a Chinese brand and sells for 49¢ a bottle. China is also the world’s top producer of beer, which makes sense since they are home to 1.35 billion potential beer customers. Every year they make around 47 million kiloliters of beer which is more than double what the US makes.

12. Not only does beer help reduce kidney stones, it also helps strengthen bones

Beer is rich in silicon which helps increase minerals and calcium deposits for bone tissue. Surprisingly, moderate beer drinking can even help fight against osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become fine and brittle which can lead to painful breaks.

uses of beer Via GIPHY