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From Monasteries to Multinationals (and Back): A Historical Review of the Beer Economy

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  • Poelmans, Eline
  • Swinnen, Johan F.M.

Abstract

This article reviews beer production, consumption and the industrial organization of breweries throughout history. Monasteries were the centers of the beer economy in the early Middle Ages. Innovation and increased demand later induced the growth of commercial breweries. Globalization and scientific discoveries transformed the beer industry and increased competition from the 16th through the 19th century. The 20th century was characterized by dramatic (domestic and international) consolidation, major shifts in consumption patterns, and the re-emergence of small breweries. (JEL Classification: N30, N40, L23, L66)

Suggested Citation

  • Poelmans, Eline & Swinnen, Johan F.M., 2011. "From Monasteries to Multinationals (and Back): A Historical Review of the Beer Economy," Journal of Wine Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(2), pages 196-216, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jwecon:v:6:y:2011:i:02:p:196-216_00
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johan F. M. Swinnen, 2009. "The Growth of Agricultural Protection in Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(11), pages 1499-1537, November.
    2. Johan F.M.Swinnen & Liesbeth Colen, 2010. "Beer Drinking Nations. The Determinants of Global Beer Consumption," LICOS Discussion Papers 27010, LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, KU Leuven.
    3. Victor J. Tremblay & Carol Horton Tremblay, 2005. "The US Brewing Industry: Data and Economic Analysis," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262201518, December.
    4. Damiaan Persyn & Johan F.M.Swinnen & Stijn Vanormelingen, 2010. "Belgian Beers : Where History meets Globalization," LICOS Discussion Papers 27110, LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, KU Leuven.
    5. Stack, Martin, 2000. "Local and Regional Breweries in America's Brewing Industry, 1865 to 1920," Business History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 74(3), pages 435-463, October.
    6. Swinnen, Johan F.M. (ed.), 2011. "The Economics of Beer," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199693801, Decembrie.
    7. Meloni, Giulia & Swinnen, Johan, 2013. "The Political Economy of European Wine Regulations," Journal of Wine Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 8(3), pages 244-284, December.
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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. About beer
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2011-11-14 21:10:00

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    Cited by:

    1. Kym Anderson & Giulia Meloni & Johan Swinnen, 2019. "Global Alcohol Markets: Evolving Consumption Patterns, Regulations, and Industrial Organizations," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Kym Anderson (ed.), The International Economics of Wine, chapter 26, pages 671-712, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    2. Anderson, Kym, 2020. "Evolving from a rum state: Australia’s alcohol consumption," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 64(3), July.
    3. Cockx, Lara & Meloni, Giulia & Swinnen, Johan, 2021. "The Water of Life and Death: A Brief Economic History of Spirits," Journal of Wine Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 16(4), pages 355-399, November.
    4. Liam Keenan, 2020. "The geographies of the institutional and industrial constraints on the financialization of German brewing," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 52(8), pages 1662-1680, November.
    5. Corsini, Filippo & Appio, Francesco Paolo & Frey, Marco, 2019. "Exploring the antecedents and consequences of environmental performance in micro-enterprises: The case of the Italian craft beer industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 340-350.
    6. Anderson, Kym, 2020. "Evolving from a Rum State: Australia’s Alcohol Consumption," CEPR Discussion Papers 14761, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    7. Liesbeth Colen & Johan Swinnen, 2016. "Economic Growth, Globalisation and Beer Consumption," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(1), pages 186-207, February.
    8. Kym Anderson, 2020. "Evolving from a rum state: Australia's alcohol consumption," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 64(3), pages 724-749, July.
    9. Rosa Maria Fanelli, 2018. "Have beer markets in European Union countries converged?," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 20(3), pages 445-477.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N40 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • L66 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Food; Beverages; Cosmetics; Tobacco

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