Beer in some form has been brewed since the days of ancient Babylon. Ever since that time it has been a key part of the social fabric of many cultures around the world. The brewing process has evolved incrementally, and the basic sequence of processes had remained unaltered for generations. This book introduces readers to the history of brewing and how the brewing process has evolved through the ages. The third edition includes more information concerning the history of beer especially in the United States; British, Japanese, and Egyptian beer; beer in the context of bodily health and nutrition; and more on the various styles of beer. Author Charles Bamforth has also added detailed sidebars on prohibition, Sierra Nevada, life as a maltster, hop growing in the Northwestern U.S., and how cans and bottle are made. Finally, new sections on beer in relation to food, contrasting attitudes towards beer in Europe and America, how beer is marketed, distributed, and retailed in the US, and modern ways of dealing with yeast are included as well.