There’s nothing quite like kicking back and unwinding with a nicely brewed ripe old pint. Reminiscent of all the good times we’ve had with the boys, watching those important games or just delivering that relaxing buzz we enjoy at the end of a long day, popping open a cold one is the break we all need from time to time.

Beer has got to be one of the best discoveries and we’re glad we have it.

It’s quite interesting how the microbial yeast prepares this fine beverage. It’s quite intriguing how our ancestors stumbled upon the discovery itself. The earliest recorded evidence of beer is a 3900 year old Sumerian poem honoring Ninkasi. Ninkasi is the goddess of brewing, and a provider of yogurt, bread and beer, but now we know that the poem and praise should have been about the yeast instead. Anyway, the poem contained the whole step by step recipe (the oldest beer recipe to have survived till date, by the way) describing the production of beer from barley and bread. This evidence was found in Mesopotamia, now called Iraq. One thing’s for sure, those eastern predecessors sure did know how to party, but we’re not left behind either.

Beer has come a long way from the 3900 year old stale barley potion (no offense to Mesopotamians) and has become a widely consumed beverage that has reached many milestones in terms of taste, quality and alcohol content.

Let’s look at some of the best beers available in the whole world today.

· Westvleteren XII (Abdij St. Sixtus)

If you have a hard time pronouncing it, it’s probably because it’s Swedish. This beer is brewed in Westvleteren, Belgium by some Trappist monks. You can’t really get this beer anywhere else but the Abdij St. Sixtus monastery. However, the refreshing flavor and synergy of chocolate, caramel and bitter marmalade make this beer one of a kind and very popular amongst beer enthusiasts and brewers all over.

· Cuvée Armand & Gaston

It seems all the best beers in the world come from Belgium. All hale the Dutch. This beer comes out of Beersel, Belgium. What gives this beverage an edge is the fruity blend of green apples, white grapes, lemon, some zesty citrus and a touch of aged wood, making it a concoction that is bound to tantalize your taste buds!

· Dark Lord Imperial Stout

If you want to summon the powers of Dark Lord Imperial Stout, you’d have to go to Munster, Indiana because that’s where this potent, exquisite concoction is prepared. The Dark Lord Imperial Stout packs a punch with 15% alcohol by volume, so drink responsibly. But, what makes this beer a favorite is the combined taste of vanilla, coffee and Indian sugar.

· Pliny, The Younger

Pliny, The Younger is effervescent India pale ale but thrice the texture, froth and potency. It’s a triple IPA that is brewed in Santa Rosa, California. During the production, this beverage is dry hopped four times in order to perfectly balance the juicy flavors of the mix with a bitter aftertaste.