| Throughout history many different countries have | | | | countries there are hundreds of beer varieties |
| banned the consumption of alcoholic beverages from | | | | available throughout the land. Many people also |
| time to time. The inability of people to easily obtain | | | | brewed beer for personal use and then were able to |
| beer during these times has given rise to the | | | | sell it illegally during prohibition. This became common |
| popularity of home brewing. Home brewing started | | | | practice for many. |
| as a way to have the beer that could not be | | | | In some countries, for example Belgium, a prohibition |
| purchased. Many families got together to brew beer | | | | was enforced that pertained to spirits. These were |
| for consumption by the whole extended family. | | | | defined as low alcohol content beers or wines. |
| Whenever prohibition is exercised, there is a natural | | | | Because of the prohibition local pubs, or cafes as |
| following of an increase in home brewing. Because of | | | | they are called in Belgium, started to brew stronger |
| the simple ingredients and the availability of the | | | | beer, which did not fall under the definition of the law. |
| ingredients it became quite easy to brew beer at | | | | Banning of beer, wine and other products that |
| home. Once the bans were lifted many of these | | | | contain alcohol still continue to this day. In some cities |
| people who were brewing from home started to sell | | | | or counties the selling of alcoholic products is against |
| their products to others. Many small pubs sprung up | | | | the law. These days, the ease with which you can |
| throughout the areas. | | | | travel to other cities to obtain beer does not |
| Many small breweries, known today as | | | | encourage people to make beer on their own. |
| microbreweries, were originally home-breweries that | | | | However, it is still an option when beer is not readily |
| grew to sell their beer. In many countries, each pub | | | | available. It is also possible to brew exactly the flavor |
| or café started to brew their own beer and | | | | and style of beer you want for much less than you |
| soon became known for it. That is why in some | | | | can buy it. |
