Globalization of Culture Related to Beer

Beer consumption

Have you ever wondered the role beer plays in the globalization of culture? Well there are so many different practices when we look at beers impact on different parts of the world. To understand how the globalization of culture can be impacted by beer we can look at one specific link in the chain of the commodity. The aspect I will be discussing is the consumption of beer around the world, how beer holds all different types of meaning, and how it impacts some cultures differently. I will be exploring different ways beer is consumed, different types of beer consumed and different effects the commodity plays on many cultures around the world. First I will examine a recent change in the consumption of beer in Germany, second the consumption of beer in Britain, also I will look at Gamo of South-Western Ethiopia practices related to consumption. Another aspect I will explore is the beer consumption from the Xhosa speaking people, and the people of Mesopotamia. Last I will talk a little about the consumption of beer we see in the United States. Hopefully you will realize how globalization is related to the commodity we know as beer.

Almost everyone is aware of how big a role beer plays in Europe, However according to the article Oktobergloom, the demand which seem impossible to decline is defining all odds and is on a dangerous path. A recent look into to the German market shows that individual consumption has been on a decline ("Economist" 76). The article goes on to describe what the author thinks is causing the decline. Some of the blame is put on other beverage competitors but ultimately in my opinion globalization may be a contributing factor. A shift from what once seems to be a cultural tradition is moving away due to a different mindset of a new population. According to the article this decline is happening all over the world and consumption seems to be down. ("Economist" 76).

The next article discusses a similar situation to the one in Germany. In Britain there is a push to bring back the pubs. According to the article How To Slove Britains problems? Ale, taking lot of shots of liquor is becoming a growing trend of the youth. There is a push to stop this from happening because it is causing a effect to the beer market and hurting the pubs that were once so prevalent in Britain.(McLaren, 38 ) One interesting tactic is to introduce the youth by means of beer tasting, barman Steve Herbert explains "the point is to get them off the fizzy, sweet stuff before they head off to universities" this is a strong attempt to introduce them to the ale style beer that has been such a large consumed beer in Britain's past.

One article takes an interesting look at the consumption of beer by the Gamo people who live in Africa. The article talk about the interesting role beer plays in this part of the world with this culture. After reading the article, Brewing Beer: Status, Wealth and Ceramic Use Alteration among the Gamo of Southwestern Ethiopia, I have come

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