Alcohol has a long history and has undergone many changes depending on the region and culture. As a result, there are countless types and ways to drink it.

In Japan, the most common types of alcohol are sake, shochu, and beer, but what kinds of alcohol are available overseas? In this article, we will focus on Europe and introduce the history and types of alcohol.

■ The history of alcohol in Europe

Wine and beer have been drunk in Europe since ancient times, and it is thought that wine was first consumed in the Caucasus Mountains around 8000 BC.
In addition, murals discovered in the Mesopotamian region, believed to date back to around 5000 BC, depict winemaking, suggesting that grape cultivation was widespread there.

Beer production also began in the Mesopotamian region at the same time as wine. There is solid historical evidence, such as stone slabs from that time that depict a person using a pestle to peel wheat, and cuneiform inscriptions that describe how to make beer.

Later, distilled spirits such as cognac, whiskey, and tequila were produced, but these can be considered relatively new alcoholic drinks compared to wine and beer.

■Types of alcohol in Europe

What kinds of alcohol are there in Europe? Currently, the main alcoholic drinks that are popular in Europe are beer, distilled spirits, and wine, but as you all know, even just taking beer as an example, there are many different types, and the ingredients vary from country to country. Here, we will introduce the characteristics and trends of alcoholic drinks in each country, using three major European countries as examples.

Germany Beer is a popular drink in Germany. Germany is a very stoic country when it comes to beer, and the ingredients for beer in Germany are stipulated to be "only barley, hops, yeast, and water." Although the same ingredients can be used to make different types of beer depending on the fermentation method, a golden-colored beer called "pilsner" is often made by bottom fermentation and is widely loved.
In neighboring Belgium, spices, fruits and other ingredients are added to create distinctive beers, showing just how different cultures can be just across the border.

France is a country where the average person consumes 42 liters of wine per year (2015), and there are many brands of wine for each production region. I'm sure you are familiar with wines named after the two major production regions, "Bordeaux" and "Burgundy". Other names include Champagne, Alsace, and Loire. Recently, cider (apple sparkling wine) has also become popular.

・Italy Like France, Italy may have a strong image of wine. However, Italy has many distinctive "liqueurs." Liqueurs are distilled alcohol with fruit and sweetness added, and in Japan, "umeshu" is a typical liqueur. In Italy, liqueurs such as "amaretto" and "Campari" are particularly popular. Depending on the cocktail, it is drunk on the rocks, or mixed with juice or wine to make a cocktail.

■What are the famous alcoholic drinks in each European country?

Here are some of the famous alcoholic drinks from the countries mentioned above.

・Germany/Radeberger Pilsner
It is one of the most popular beers in Dresden, the capital of the state of Saxony in eastern Germany. It is said to be the oldest pilsner in Germany, and is highly rated for its unique bitterness that makes it addictive.

・France/La Mère Poulard
This is a sweet cider made from apples with a refreshing aroma. It is made only from apples from Brittany, which is famous for producing grapes, the raw material for wine. It is popular for its refreshing sweetness and ease of drinking.

・Italy/Limoncello
Limoncello, a traditional liqueur from southern Italy, is made primarily from lemon peel and is the perfect drink for cocktails with an alcohol content of 30%. It has a lovely yellow color, and some bottles are shaped like Italy.

Alcohol can be drunk as is, but it can also be used in cocktails, sweets, and cooking, making it a perfect souvenir. We have introduced some of the most popular types here, but we encourage you to explore and find a variety of options.

■ Summary of European drinking culture

・The alcoholic beverages with the longest histories in Europe are wine and beer. ・There are many different types of alcohol, and their characteristics differ from country to country. ・Beer is loved in Germany, wine in France, and liqueurs in Italy. ・Alcoholic beverages, such as historic beer and the recently popular cider, make perfect souvenirs.

Beer and wine are popular in Europe, but the methods of production and the way to drink them seem to vary greatly from country to country. This may reflect each country's unique preferences and ways of enjoying them.
New alcoholic drinks such as cider are appearing, so be sure to try a variety of them.