Jim stating that civilization began because of beer is actually pretty accurate. Beer is one of the oldest known prepared drinks in history, the earliest chemically confirmed evidence of beer being brewed dates back to around 3,500 B.C. There is also archaeological evidence (drawings and possible brewing equipment) that indicates that beer may have been brewed as early as 8,500 B.C. though this hasn't been chemically confirmed. Some of the very first civilizations even used beer as a form of currency, 5,000 years ago workers in ancient Iraq were paid with beer. Some historians believe that beer was instrumental in the formation of civilizations, in ancient Egypt workers who built the pyramids were given a daily ration of four to five liters of beer, which provided essential hydration and nutrition needed for their hard, grueling labor.