The Sumerians in Mesopotamia 4000 years ago left records of eight
different types of beer from barley, eight from wheat, and three
from mixed grains - more variety than this country can muster today.
Brewing ranks with tanning and dyeing among the oldest branches
of the chemical arts. Methyl alcohol, or methanol, is known as "wood
alcohol" because it can be prepared by heating wood in the
absence of air.
