Sake originated in Japan around 500BCE from China. True sake production began in Nara period (710-794). Buddhist temples became main production centers in 10th century. Shōryaku-ji temple invented modern sake production methods in 1440s
Ale comes from Proto-Germanic language, possibly from Indo-European word for golden color. Medieval English ale was brewed without hops. Brewing was primarily done by women in medieval England
Hops are flowers of Humulus lupulus, used as bittering and flavoring in beer. Only female plants are used commercially, trained to grow on trellises. First documented cultivation in 736 in Hallertau, Germany. Important production centers include Hallertau, Žatec, Yakima, Willamette, and Idaho
Arthur Guinness started brewing at St. James's Gate Brewery in 1759. Company became public in 1886, selling 1.138 million barrels annually. Guinness moved headquarters to London in 1932. Merged with Grand Metropolitan to form Diageo in 1997
Lager is a beer brewed and conditioned at low temperature. Term "lager" comes from German word for "storage". Uses Saccharomyces pastorianus yeast for fermentation. Traditional brewing occurred in caves with ice and chestnut trees
Paulaner offers various styles including Hefe-Weissbier, Ur-Dunkel, Hell, Salvator, and Oktoberfest Bier. All beers are brewed according to Bavarian Purity Law. Most beers contain 5-7% alcohol and 12-13% original wort