There is a theory that the origin of civilisation lies at the bottom of a beer glass. To grow the hops and barley needed to brew, ancient people had to settle in one place to tend their crops. From this basic desire to have a good time, the reasoning goes, evolved everything needed for a good pub: bread, plumbing and culture.
Not everyone agrees – others suggest bread baking came first – but what matters is that beer has been with humanity for thousands of years. With the existential threat of climate change posing a risk to civilisation, brewers and drinkers are increasingly turning their attention to how exactly their favourite brew gets made.
