'A Brief History of Beer' offered Sunday

Dave Oberg, a home brewer and executive director of the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum, will present "A Brief History of Beer" at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at the McHenry County Historical Museum, 6422 Main St. in Union.

From ancient China, Egypt and Sumaria to the modern age, this program uses fascinating anecdotes and images to trace the evolution of this refreshing beverage over a span of more than 9,000 years.

"It has a serious history. It was fundamental and important to civilization," Oberg said.

But Oberg the present is arguably the "golden age" when it comes to beer selection and brewing.

According to the Colorado-based Brewers Association, the number of American breweries through November 2015 reached 4,144 - eclipsing the historic high of 4,131 breweries in 1873. And the overall beer market generated nearly $106 billion for the U.S. economy.

"Three new breweries are coming online every day," Oberg said. "The slow food movement, the local grower movement and the demand for the freshest ingredients have hit together really well."

In the early years you could find a Sam Adams or Goose Island offering - maybe a Beck's Dark - but not at every watering hole and certainly hardly ever on tap.

"I got into good beer when I was 16 years old and I did a home stay in Germany," Oberg said. "You don't know what you're missing until you know what you are missing."

Admission is $5 for society members, $10 nonmembers, and includes entry to the museum, schoolhouse and log cabin. The museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit www.mchenrycountyhistory.org.