Alcohol: A Short History

Fermented beverages in early Egyptian civilization

Photo credit: GoddessGift

Humans have been making alcohol for thousands of years. Fermented beverages existed in ancient Egyptian civilization, and there is evidence of an early alcoholic drink in China from around 7000 B.C. In India, an alcoholic beverage called sura, distilled from rice, was in use between 3000 and 2000 B.C.

The Babylonians worshipped a wine goddess as early as 2700 B.C. In Greece, one of the first alcoholic beverages to gain popularity was mead, a fermented drink made from honey and water. Greek literature is full of warnings against excessive drinking.

Several Native American civilizations developed alcoholic beverages in pre-Columbian* times. Various fermented beverages in South America were created from corn, grapes and other native fruits.

Photo credit: Stockxpert

In the 16th century, alcohol (called spirits) was mainly used for medicinal† purposes. At the beginning of the 18th century, the British Parliament passed a law encouraging the use of grain for distilling spirits.

In 18th-century Britain, gin consumption reached 18 million gallons and alcoholism became widespread.

The 19th century brought a change in attitudes and the temperance movement began, promoting the moderate use of alcohol—which ultimately became a push for total prohibition.

In 1920, the US passed a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale, import and export of intoxicating liquors, ushering in an era known as Prohibition. During this time, the illegal alcohol trade flourished until the law was repealed in 1933.¹

Today, an estimated 29 million Americans suffer from alcoholism, and over 30 percent of all car accident deaths in the US involve alcohol.^2,3

* pre-Columbian: before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492

† medicinal: something used for the treatment of illness or injury

Updated: 2025