Between your morning shower beer and beereal, your afternoon shandy with lunch and your evening Natural Ice, the beverage is viewed by many as the most important part of every meal. We seldom actually think about beer aside from, "how many can I pour down my gullet before I start texting my ex," but there's a lot of history behind the fizz.
Did you know that India Pale Ales weren't invented in India, and ancient civilizations recorded beer recipes on clay tablets? From drunk pilgrims to confusing terms like "cream ale," John Green unveils the mysteries behind your favorite brews in the latest effort from Mental Floss.
See also: What Your Beer Choice Says About You
Green was lucky enough to shoot this beer-formational video in the Sun King Brewery in Indianapolis, Ind., seizing the opportunity to educate you in front of an actual labyrinth of booze.
Image: Getty, John Moore
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
BONUS: 8 Strange Beers to Shock the Bud Light Out of You Bizarre Beer Flavors 1. Avocado Ale by Angel City Brewery Among other guacamole-inspired ingredients, this beer contains avocado and cilantro. While the drink was invented for the Avocado Festival, this isn't the brewery's first foray into experimental brews. They've also dabbled in au jus-inspired beer and dill pickle-flavored beer. Image: Angel City Brewery 2. Oyster Stout by 21st Amendment Brewery Brewed with Hog Island Sweetwater oyster shells, this stout promises a "silky, salty finish." Hopefully, unlike the name, you'll never be marooned on Hog Island. Image: 21st Amendment Brewery 3. Coconut Curry Hefeweizen by New Belgium Brewing Undoubtedly, there's a lot going on in this beer -- and you'll probably still crave curry afterward. The beverage is flavored with coconut, cayenne, cinnamon, coriander, fenugreek seed, ginger root, kaffir and lime leaf, with a hint of banana from the hefe yeast in which it's brewed. Image: New Belgium Brewing 4. Spirulina Wit Beer by Free Tail Brewing Co. Yes, this beer is actually green, but it's still beer. And we're not talking Bud Light St. Patrick's Day food-coloring green either. The fact that it's brewed with blue-green algae doesn't quite make it healthy. (Sorry.) Image: Free Tail Brewing Co. 5. Kelpie Seaweed Ale by Williams Bros Brew Kelpie Seaweed Ale is supposed to recapture the taste of traditional beers brewed in Scottish coastal alehouses. To do so, bladderwrack seaweed is mashed in with malted and roasted barley. Image: William Bros Brew 6. Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout by Wynkoop Brewing Company We're not repeating beers. While this brew goes by the name "oyster stout," it's actually brewed with something stranger: bull testicles. Maybe just pretend you're on an episode of Fear Factor when drinking? Image: Wynkoop Brewing Company 7. Bacon Maple Ale by Rogue Ales Rogue Ales collaborated with Portland fixture Voodoo Doughnuts to create this bacon maple doughnut-inspired beer, brewed from bacon and maple syrup. Image: Made In Oregon Rogue Ales 8. Pizza Beer by Mamma Mia! Pizza Beer Brewed with basil, oregano, tomato, garlic and, of course, pizza crust, this pizza-flavored beer considers itself the "World's First Culinary Beer." We consider it one step closer to Willy Wonka's three-course meal gum becoming a reality. Image: Half Time Mamma Mia! Pizza Beer
Among other guacamole-inspired ingredients, this beer contains avocado and cilantro.
While the drink was invented for the Avocado Festival, this isn't the brewery's first foray into experimental brews. They've also dabbled in au jus-inspired beer and dill pickle-flavored beer.
Brewed with Hog Island Sweetwater oyster shells, this stout promises a "silky, salty finish." Hopefully, unlike the name, you'll never be marooned on Hog Island.
Undoubtedly, there's a lot going on in this beer -- and you'll probably still crave curry afterward.
The beverage is flavored with coconut, cayenne, cinnamon, coriander, fenugreek seed, ginger root, kaffir and lime leaf, with a hint of banana from the hefe yeast in which it's brewed.
Yes, this beer is actually green, but it's still beer. And we're not talking Bud Light St. Patrick's Day food-coloring green either.
The fact that it's brewed with blue-green algae doesn't quite make it healthy. (Sorry.)
Kelpie Seaweed Ale is supposed to recapture the taste of traditional beers brewed in Scottish coastal alehouses. To do so, bladderwrack seaweed is mashed in with malted and roasted barley.
We're not repeating beers. While this brew goes by the name "oyster stout," it's actually brewed with something stranger: bull testicles.
Maybe just pretend you're on an episode of Fear Factor when drinking?
Rogue Ales collaborated with Portland fixture Voodoo Doughnuts to create this bacon maple doughnut-inspired beer, brewed from bacon and maple syrup.
Brewed with basil, oregano, tomato, garlic and, of course, pizza crust, this pizza-flavored beer considers itself the "World's First Culinary Beer."
We consider it one step closer to Willy Wonka's three-course meal gum becoming a reality.