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From Mead to Beer: The 5 Oldest Alcoholic Drinks That Shaped Human History
Alcohol has been part of human history for thousands of years, with ancient cultures discovering how to ferment grains, fruits and honey into intoxicating drinks. Today’s beers, wines and spirits trace their roots to some of the oldest beverages ever made.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Here are five of the world’s oldest known alcoholic drinks and the stories behind them.
Mead: The Drink of the Gods
Mead is believed to be the oldest alcoholic beverage in human history. Traces of fermented honey mixed with rice and fruits were discovered in clay jars from Jiahu, a Neolithic village in China, dating back to around 7000 B.C.
Often called the “drink of the gods,” mead was celebrated in ancient cultures from Asia to Europe. In Norse mythology, warriors drank mead in Valhalla, while in Africa, honey wine remains a traditional beverage in Ethiopia, known as tej.
Mead is simple to make, requiring only honey, water and yeast. Its natural sweetness and cultural importance gave it a special place in rituals, feasts and medicine.
Beer: Humanity’s Daily Bread in Liquid Form
Beer has been brewed for at least 5,000 years and may have been discovered by accident when grains were left to ferment. Archeologists found recipes for beer in ancient Sumer, now part of Iraq, dating to about 3400 B.C.
The Sumerians even worshipped a goddess of beer, Ninkasi, and wrote down a hymn that doubled as a brewing recipe. Beer was not just a recreational drink. It was considered safer than water, often used as payment for workers, and served as a staple food in liquid form.
Over centuries, brewing methods spread through Egypt, Greece and Rome. Today, beer remains one of the most consumed drinks in the world, but its humble beginnings remind us of its role in survival and society.
Wine: The Ancient Taste of Grapes
Wine made from grapes has been enjoyed for at least 6,000 years. Archaeologists found wine residue in pottery from the Zagros Mountains of Iran, dating to around 5400 B.C.
In ancient Egypt, wine was linked with religion and royalty, while the Greeks and Romans raised it into a cultural symbol of philosophy, celebration and luxury. The Romans perfected techniques such as storing wine in barrels and adding herbs for flavor, shaping modern winemaking.
Wine’s influence went beyond taste. It became part of trade routes, religious ceremonies, and medical practices, making it one of the most important cultural beverages in history.
Chicha: Corn Beer of the Americas
Chicha, a fermented corn drink, has been central to South American cultures for more than 3,000 years. The Incas of Peru used it in religious rituals and festivals, and it was often consumed in large communal gatherings.
Traditionally, the process of making chicha involved chewing corn kernels and spitting them into a container to start fermentation, as enzymes in saliva break down starch into sugar. While modern methods no longer rely on chewing, the drink remains a cultural symbol.
Today, chicha is still brewed in parts of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, where it connects communities to their ancestors and traditions.
Sake: Japan’s Rice Brew
Sake, the rice wine of Japan, has been brewed for more than 2,000 years. The earliest references appear in the Kojiki, Japan’s oldest historical record, compiled in the 8th century.
Like chicha, early sake may have been made by chewing rice before fermentation. Over time, more advanced brewing techniques developed, involving polishing rice and fermenting it with a special mold called koji.
Sake became deeply tied to Shinto rituals, weddings and festivals. Even today, it is offered to gods in ceremonies and shared during celebrations, showing its lasting spiritual importance.
The Legacy of Ancient Drinks
From honey wine in Neolithic China to corn beer in the Andes, these early alcoholic drinks shaped cultures, economies and traditions. They were more than simple beverages — they carried spiritual meaning, supported communities and even offered nutrition.
Modern brewing and winemaking owe much to these discoveries. While the recipes have changed, the human desire to gather, celebrate and share a drink remains the same.
As history shows, alcohol is not only about taste. It is a story of innovation, survival and connection that has followed humanity for thousands of years.
According to Nivo News, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has declared what he described as divine judgment on bandits and their alleged sponsors responsible for insecurity across parts of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking on Sunday at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, during a sermon themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance,” Oyedepo stated that those behind killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks would face divine retribution. He further claimed that within the next seven days, consequences would begin to manifest against those he accused of fueling unrest in the country, assuring worshippers that the coming week would be marked by “testimonies of vengeance.”
He was quoted as saying that judgment had been pronounced on individuals responsible for such acts and their supporters, adding that the outcome he referenced would unfold within a week.
In a related remark during a recent midweek service, Oyedepo also acknowledged the presence of fraudsters within and outside religious spaces, warning that his identity and images were being exploited for fraudulent schemes. He urged members of his congregation to remain vigilant and committed to truth to avoid falling victim to scams involving impersonation.
He recounted a case where an individual allegedly posed as him in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting victims, noting that such incidents highlight the growing sophistication of fraudulent activities.
A political disagreement has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State following Governor Abdullahi Sule’s reported endorsement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the move has sparked tension between the governor and his predecessor, Umar Tanko Al-Makura, who faulted the decision, describing it as premature and not properly consulted within party structures.
Al-Makura, a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, expressed displeasure that he only became aware of the endorsement through media reports. He argued that the decision should have involved wider consultation, warning that such early endorsements could undermine internal party processes.
He further noted that the APC had not begun its formal nomination process, insisting that declaring support for a candidate at this stage was inappropriate and ahead of schedule.
The controversy was further heightened by former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, who is also aspiring for the APC governorship ticket. He rejected the endorsement, stating that no individual has the authority to impose a candidate, and reaffirmed his intention to contest in the party primaries.
In response, Governor Sule, through his media aide, defended the endorsement, stating that it was consistent with political traditions in the state. He referenced past succession arrangements, including Al-Makura’s own endorsement of him, arguing that the current process was in line with established practice but being conducted more transparently.
The governor’s camp clarified that Senator Wadada remains a preferred aspirant and not the party’s official candidate.
Senator Wadada, reacting to the development, called for calm among party members, describing the situation as part of normal political competition. He also downplayed tensions with other aspirants, noting that the contest should be seen as a democratic process.
Meanwhile, support for Adamu continues to grow in parts of Nasarawa South, where youths, women, and stakeholders have openly backed his ambition, alongside broader endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Adamu, however, maintained that he remains firmly in the race, accusing some political actors of inconsistency in the unfolding succession dynamics.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as unnecessary the denial issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) regarding an invitation allegedly extended to him for the groundbreaking ceremony of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the Sultan’s media team maintained that an official invitation was duly sent to His Eminence requesting his attendance as Royal Father of the Day. The statement explained that the event also listed key dignitaries, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.
The Sultan’s office emphasised that his participation in the proposed Christian event would promote interfaith harmony, noting his role as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). It added that globally, religious leaders often engage in events outside their faith traditions as part of efforts to encourage unity and peaceful coexistence.
The response follows an earlier clarification from CAN, which denied issuing any invitation to the Sultan and stated that the document circulating in public was not from the association. CAN further explained that the communication in question originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and insisted that it had no involvement in inviting the Sultan to the event.
While acknowledging that the SGF’s office was linked to the invitation process, the Sultan’s media team expressed concern over CAN’s denial, describing it as unnecessary and capable of creating misunderstanding, especially since the Sultan did not request to attend the ceremony.
The statement also urged religious bodies to focus on messages that strengthen unity and promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
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