The book explores how beer has shaped the world during its 13,000 year history. It was one of reasons behind the drive to grow grains, it motivated labourers to build the pyramids and it provided a safe alternative to contaminated water. The books focuses on past and present beers, highlighting the importance in people’s lives through four themes; innovating new technologies, ensuring health and well-being, building economic and political statuses, and imbuing life with ritual and religious connections.

This article in the San Francisco Chronicle discusses three synthetic (or “molecular”) alcoholic drinks produced by US startup Endless West: wine, whiskey and sake. The drinks are produced by mixing plain alcohol (from corn) with natural flavourings (e.g. from plants or yeasts) rather than traditional distillation methods (e.g. fermenting grapes to make wine). 

This paper reviews data from the UK Biobank study and finds that higher consumption of red meat and alcohol are associated with a higher risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer, while higher consumption of fibre from bread or breakfast cereals is associated with a lower risk.

According to a survey of US beer drinkers, 59% would be willing to pay more for beer that has been brewed using more sustainable processes, such as energy efficiency or carbon saving measures. On average, respondents were willing to pay $0.22 more per 12-ounce bottle than the price they already paid for their favourite beer ($1.69 per 12-ounce bottle).

Alcohol production, packaging and transport in Sweden has a carbon footprint of 52 kg CO2 eq. per person and accounts for around 3% of dietary emissions, according to a new paper by FCRN member Elinor Hallström. Per litre of beverage, wine, strong wine and liquor have higher carbon footprints than beer. This study does not include emissions from retail or consumer activities.

Old wine in new bottles: the winery Virginia Marie Lambrix has partnered with packaging specialists to create their new Truett Hurst PaperBoy wine bottle. The package replaces glass with recycled paper and all material inputs used in producing the bottle are included based on sustainability criteria. The outer shell is made of recycled corrugated waste and the thin plastic liner, screw cap closure, inks and other materials are all UV-based and do not contain volatile organic compounds.

This paper looks at the alcohol we consume here in the UK. It considers whether we can quantify in ‘good enough’ terms the contribution that our alcohol consumption makes to the UK’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.