Discover the decisive role beer has had in the course of history, how it is central to many European cultures and customs, inspired art and, even, brought armies together in a ceasefire in the midst of world war. The history of beer stretches back as far as humans have engaged in agriculture, it has been a basic food as long as bread.Includes potted histories of some of the world's most famous beers, from Guinness to Carlsberg, Whitbread Bitter, Spitfire Kentish Ale, to Peroni Nastro Azzurro and, even, Ur-Bock Dunkel (once Martin Luther's favourite beer).A celebration of the quirky, and influential, Down Beer Street will appeal to anyone who has watched 'QI'; in a series of short, entertaining chapters the authors provide a pint-sized history of the world.

From the Irish monks who spread brewing techniques, and Christianity, across Europe, how beer prompted Martin Luther's Theses to its role as a sports drink in the Tour de France Down Beer Street is the history of the world seen through a pint glass. Discover the decisive role beer has had in the course of history, how it is central to many European cultures and customs, inspired art and, even, brought armies together in a ceasefire in the midst of world war. Why did Peter the Great order Russians to drink beer instead of vodka? The history of beer stretches back as far as humans have engaged in agriculture, it has been a basic food as long as bread. From ancient Mesopotamia to the spread of Christianity and abbey beers throughout Europe, up to Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution and the financial crisis of 2008 the history of the world has a frothy head. How was Louis Pasteur involved in London's Whitbread brewery?