Sips of history: how ancient Chinese brewing techniques shaped modern alcohol

Alcohol has played a central role in human culture for at least 10,000 years, with the earliest known alcoholic beverage – a rice wine – originating from the Henan province of central China.

However, much of our understanding of these early adult beverages is superficial at best. Recently, a handful of studies from China are shedding light on what the oldest Chinese residents were drinking and how they crafted these libations.

The highlight was the discovery of an unopened bottle of drink from the Warring States period (475–221 BC), specifically from the State of Qin (897–221 BC).