How has the brewing process changed over the years?

How has the brewing process changed over the years?

Jeff Evans (Freelance beer Writer) gives expert video advice on: How old is beer?; How has the brewing process changed over the years?; How is beer made? and more...

Apart from advances in technology, hygiene and other scientific areas, the way in which traditional beer, traditional ale is produced in Britain hasn't changed an awful lot for centuries. Probably the most dramatic change that came in was about 400 years ago when hops were introduced. Before that time, brewers would season their beers with spices, herbs, anything they could, just to take the sweeter edge off the malt. When hops came in with their bitter flavours, that changed the whole industry. Traditional beer is still being made today in roughly the same way.