I'm a fan of several different blogs that write about beer history, and in many ways I'm envious because they have access to such great historical information about brewing and beer. I've definitly been learning a lot. In particular, "Shut Up About Barklay Perkins." Ron is a serious historian on some of this stuff. Serious.

But I wonder sometimes, how important it really is.

Some folks in the blog-o-sphere begin to drool, shake and fling spittle when some publication or other makes a statement about beer history they think is erroneous. They drag people through the mud for repeating common misconceptions, and engage in verbal warfare to purge the world of this heinous misinformation. Woe be to the poorly informed!

The current cage rattler revolves around whether the Scotts had peaty beer or not. Ron and Barm (from "I might have a Glass of Beer") have even put together some google maps, peat bog maps, and coal maps to show that the Scotts used coal instead of peat to kiln their malts.

It's interesting. It's entertaining. But it's not science, nor is it proof. And I'm not sure it really matters. Really, what difference does it make whether those early beers were peaty or not? Some folks make peaty beers now and enjoy them. Some people can't stand peat in either beer or scotch. Again, what difference does it make?

Is it really important who coined the term IPA? Does it matter whether the original IPAs were stronger or not? How hoppy they were? Was it really so they'd survive the trip to India?

What about Porters? Were they really only for the working class?

For a historian, it makes a difference because you want the facts to be correct, and historians spend some serious time sifting through the detritus of the past to glean that pearl of wisdom which grants us insight into the lives of those before us.

When it comes to beer history, it makes for interesting reading. But not particularly useful. Recipes for an English Brown from a century or more ago aren't reproducable anyway. Too much has changed in the water, the techniques, the grain, the yeast, even the fuels we use to kiln, mash and boil. It's better to focus on techniques that work and produce the beer you love.

So let's have everyone in the beer world take a deep breath. If some one says something ridiculous about the history of beer. If you can politely suggest some other sources that suggest otherwise, that's great. If you can engage in a rational conversation about the subject, go for it.

If you can't, then let it go. It really isn't such a big deal.

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