A brief history of alcohol - Rod Phillips

Summary by Krater

This video explores the history of alcohol, from accidental fermentation by primates to ancient beer and wine production, the invention of distillation, and its role in trade and exploration.

From the video

Answers: How was alcohol discovered and how did it shape human history?

• history of alcohol
• fermentation process
• ancient fermented beverages
• invention of distillation
• alcohol in trade and exploration

What it concludes

• Fermentation occurs when yeasts feed on plant sugars and produce ethanol, stopping when yeasts die at around 13% alcohol concentration.
• The invention of distillation in the 9th century allowed for the production of much more concentrated liquid alcohol.
• Alcohol served as a valuable trade commodity and a preservative for water on long sea voyages during the age of exploration.