Since 2007, people around the world have been celebrating International Beer Day. Originally celebrated on August 5 of each year, the holiday has been observed on the first Friday in August since 2013. International Beer Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating the people who brew and serve the beverage, while also celebrating beers from around the world.
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Beer is the drink of choice for people of many cultures and lifestyles and has been a staple since the dawn of ancient civilizations. Results from chemical testing on ancient pottery have shown evidence that beer was being produced nearly 7,000 years ago in the area of the world that is now known as Iran. In America, Native American tribes brewed a barley-free beer before Europeans set foot on the continent. The first commercial brewery was created in 1632 by the Dutch West India Company.
A major reason beer is so popular is the way it brings people together. A 6,000-year-old Sumerian tablet was found depicting people drinking beer from a communal bowl, showing that beer imbibing has been a community-building activity since the drink was first developed. Today, beer is present at many social gatherings. In fact, some might argue that drinking beer is less about what kind of brew you’re drinking than about who you’re drinking with.
Many countries around the world embrace beer culture and the idea that beer brings people together. Everywhere you go, you will find advertisements promoting various brands of beer. These advertisements never show anyone drinking alone, but always show gatherings with friends.
Since beer is so popular, there are many people who experiment with making their own. In the United States and many countries around the world, craft beer and microbreweries are becoming very common. For those wishing to experience specialty beers outside the realm of mainstream commercial brands, micro-breweries provide novelty.
The celebration of International Beer Day is another testament to the popularity of beer in the world. This special event is often celebrated by a group of friends enjoying beer samples from different parts of the world. Another way of celebrating this holiday is to attend a celebration in your city or gift others with special and rare beers.