Palm Wine. When mead was discovered, people started to look for other ways to make wine. Before grapes were utilized, the people of Africa and Asia tapped the sap of the palm tree. The beverage was nicknamed “Toddy” and is consumed soon after fermentation. Toddy is generally served alongside a sweet beverage made from the same palm tree sap to compliment its sour taste. Boutique toddy makers still exist, and you’re likely to find this ancient drink at high-end wine bars.
Ale. In the Gilgamesh Epic, written in the 3rd century B.C., the first mention of beer pops up. The text tells us that beer was used to cleanse oneself and to turn barbarians into civilized humans. Generally, there are two processes to make beer, resulting in either ale or lager. Ale takes less time to brew and is almost certainly the first type of beer brewed by humans. So cleanse yourself and become a civilized human being by tipping back those suds.
