History

Beer has always been a popular beverage because it does not deteriorate during long periods of storage and is adaptable to all climates. With various names and in many forms it has been produced from the earliest times. It was made in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. At first brewed in the home or in monasteries, beer had become a commercial product in Europe by the late Middle Ages. In modern times it is a staple large-scale manufacture in almost all industrialized countries, especially in Great Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic, and the United States.

In the New World, the art of brewing was practiced by the Native Americans before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. The first Europeans to brew beer in America were the Virginia colonists of 1587. Manufacture of beer was encouraged in early colonial laws in America as a means of reducing the consumption of stronger alcoholic beverages. This traditional policy was generally followed in the laws of the various states and the federal government until World War I.

Under wartime restrictions the brewing of beer was first limited and then prohibited. Beer containing more than 0.5 percent alcohol was included in the prohibition of intoxicating beverages by legislation under the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Congress legalized beer containing 3.5 percent alcohol in March 1933, and eight months later the Prohibition amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment. Laws of the individual states regulate the manufacture, distribution, and sale of beer within their jurisdictions and provide for the licensing of brewers, distributors, and retailers. Direct taxes are levied on beer by all states and the federal government.

 

III. Insert the right word and translate the sentences.

1. Beer is … to all climates.

2. Beer was first … in the home or monasteries.

3. At present brewing is a …, large-scale manufacture.

4. The art of … was practiced by the Native Americans.

5. Under wartime … the brewing of beer was prohibited.

6. Laws of the state … the manufacture of beer.

Text 4

Wheat Beer History

I. Words to be remembered.

1) in accordance with 2) top-fermented 3) to obtain 4) to forbid   5) opaque 6) worldwide   7) essential 8) aberration

в соответствии с верхнебродильный получать, добывать, приобретать запрещать, не позволять, препятствовать непрозрачный, непроницаемый мировой, всемирный, распространённый во всём мире существенный, весьма важный отклонение, отступление (от стандарта)

 

II. Read and translate the text.