An Interactive Beer History Timeline
About Beer Chronicles
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About Beer Chronicles
Beer Chronicles is a curated timeline of beer history, from prehistoric evidence of brewing to the present day. Built around historical sources, it brings together the events, people, styles, and developments behind beer.
My name is Martin Schmidt, and I'm from Trier, Germany. I've been a homebrewer since 2020 and a certified beer sommelier since 2024. Plus: I'm a beer history geek.
This project started a few years ago with notes about important events in beer history. I collected them while researching the next beer style I wanted to brew or planning a tasting. In 2026, I finally found the time to turn those notes into an interactive timeline.
You can read more about how I select sources and handle dates and historical uncertainty in the Editorial Principles.
My interest in beer history also shapes the beer tastings I offer, which combine selected beers, sensory discovery, and the stories behind them.
Disclaimer: This timeline is, of course, not meant to be comprehensive. Moreover, although I tried to be as careful as possible, there can be mistakes! If you detect any bug: just let me know and I will correct. Additionally, if you have an entry in mind that needs to be included, please submit a new entry here. You can also help investigate unresolved questions on the Open Challenges page.
Who Can Benefit from Beer Chronicles?
Anyone curious about beer and its history is welcome. Explore for enjoyment, follow the story of a favorite style, or find context for a tasting, a brew, or your work.
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For Sommeliers
Planning your next tasting and need historical context? Filter by beer style, brewery, ingredients, or time period. Use tags and categories to find the exact historic background you need to impress your guests with compelling stories behind each beer.
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For Retailers
Need a fresh angle for a new beer in your portfolio? Looking for an interesting anecdote from beer history to spark customer curiosity? Filter by beer or style and discover fascinating backstories that make your product stand out on the shelf.
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For (Home) Brewers
Curious about where a beer style comes from? Want to understand its original ingredients – grain bill, hops, yeast, and traditional brewing methods? Discover who brewed it first, what inspired them, and how historical examples can guide your own recipe development.
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For Craft Beer Pubs
Elevate your beer menu with rich historical context. Train your staff with authentic stories behind each pour, create themed tasting flights based on historical eras, and engage customers with the fascinating heritage of the beers you serve. A knowledgeable pub keeps patrons coming back.