1. In Sierra Leone, jewellers immerse diamonds in beer to study the way they reflect light and prove their authenticity.

2. Clay tablets from Mesopotamia indicate that the majority of brewing during that time was done by women, and that it was a fairly well-respected occupation. History shows that beer making was part of the household chores, women were the main “brewers”. Lekker. So why are they sop upset these days if men drink beer?

3. Ancient Babylonians were first to brew beer. They took their beer-making so seriously, that if one brewed a bad batch, they were to be drowned in it. If this was to be true today, anybody brewing Castle would be drowned years ago. Viva Black Label!

4. Vikings believed that a giant goat whose udders provided an endless supply of beer was waiting for them in Valhalla (Viking Heaven). Way to go, Norsemen!

5. The record for the fastest beer drinker is still held by Steven Petrosino. His record was made in 1977 when he drank 1 litre of beer in 1.3 seconds.

6. The most expensive bottle of beer ever sold was a bottle of Lowebrau that was rescued from the wreckage of the Hindenburg, an ill-fated air-balloon that burst into flames and crashed dramatically in 1937. The bottle was sold on auction for £10,000 (about R130,000 and counting as the value of the rand drops).

7. There are currently only about 20 microbreweries listed in South Africa as SA Breweries makes it very difficult for anybody else to even get a small slice of the beer “pie”.

8. Most beer drunk in South Africa is lager, as the hot climate favours cold drinks and this is how lager is best enjoyed. Ales are very rare and are only made by small breweries or imported. In England off course, the Pommies like ther warm flat ales.

9. Beer is the world’s most widely consumed and probably the oldest of alcoholic beverages; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea.

10. A 2005 Japanese study found that low alcohol beer may possess strong anti-cancer properties.

Now go out there and enjoy a pint or three…