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'''Alcoholic drinks''' are beverages which contain [[ethanol]] (CH₃CH₂OH).  [[Ethanol]] is an addictive psychoactive depressant.  Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties. [[Beer]] is a drink produced through the fermentation of malted grains and the addition of hops.  Hops give beer its distinctive bitter taste.  There are also many types of beers available, each with its own unique brewing method and history.  The most popular type of beer in America is the pilsner, noted for its light golden color due to the use of lightly roasted grains.  Gaining in popularity are other types of beer such as porters, lagers, wheat-beer, and ales.  Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content.  Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively.  Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.  Wines are produced through the fermentation of various fruits.  Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets and flavors. 

'''Alcoholic drinks''' are beverages which contain [[ethanol]] (CH₃CH₂OH).  [[Ethanol]] is an addictive psychoactive depressant.  Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties.

 

== Beer ==

== Beer ==

[[Beer]] was discovered independently by many societies in the past<ref>[http://www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/beer/history_of_beer.htm History of Beer], ''Fosters Australia''</ref>.  In ancient Egypt,  to help provide the calories needed and keep the lower classes happy <ref>[http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/egypt_alcohol.html Ancient Egyptian Alcohol], ''thekeep.com''</ref>.  With Christianity, beer was often made by monks who used the heavy ales to ease hunger pains while fasting<ref>[http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/beer_in_the_middle_ages.htm Beer in the Middle Ages], ''Eat Online''</ref>.

 

[[Beer]] is a drink produced through the fermentation of malted grains and the addition of hops.  Hops give beer its distinctive bitter taste.  There are also many types of beers available, each with its own unique brewing method and history.  The most popular type of beer in America is the pilsner, noted for its light golden color due to the use of lightly roasted grains.  Gaining in popularity are other types of beer such as porters, lagers, wheat-beer, and ales.

 

Beer was discovered independently by many societies in the past<ref>[http://www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/beer/history_of_beer.htm History of Beer], ''Fosters Australia''</ref>.  In ancient [[Egypt]],  to help provide the calories needed and keep the lower classes happy <ref>[http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/egypt_alcohol.html Ancient Egyptian Alcohol], ''thekeep.com''</ref>.  Within [[Christianity]], beer was often made by monks who used the heavy ales to ease hunger pains while fasting<ref>[http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/beer_in_the_middle_ages.htm Beer in the Middle Ages], ''Eat Online''</ref>.

 

== Wine ==

== Wine ==

[[Wine]] is usually made by the fermentation of grapes, but can be made using other fruits, or other parts of plants. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped<ref>[http://www.wineintro.com/history/religion/index.html Wine, Religion, and Gods], ''Wineintro.com''</ref> (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was preformed with it<ref>[http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000033155.htm What Makes a Wine Kosher?], ''Gems in Israel''</ref>. Some branches of Christianity believe that wine was transformed (and continues to be transformed) into the [[blood]] of [[Christ]].

 

[[Wine]] is usually made by the fermentation of grapes, but can be made using other fruits, or other parts of plants.

Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets and flavors. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped<ref>[http://www.wineintro.com/history/religion/index.html Wine, Religion, and Gods], ''Wineintro.com''</ref> (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was preformed with it<ref>[http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000033155.htm What Makes a Wine Kosher?], ''Gems in Israel''</ref>. Some branches of Christianity believe that wine was transformed (and continues to be transformed) into the [[blood]] of [[Christ]].

 

 

Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content.  Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively.  Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.

== Biblical References ==

== Biblical References ==

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[[Category:Alcoholic beverages]]

[[Category:Food and drink]]