FSEM 180   Brewing Society: The History, Culture, and Economics of Beer

Faculty Profile for Professor Anderson

Originating contemporaneously with the agricultural transition during the Neolithic Revolution in Sumeria, alcoholic beverages produced from fermented grains have been ubiquitous throughout human history. Brewing practices were refined in medieval European monasteries and advanced to a science during the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions. Commercialization and globalization during the 20th century further changed the industry profile as well as the styles of beers produced. The craft beer revolution of the past forty years has generated a renewed interest in the artistry and science of brewing while creating a new generation of beer connoisseurs. Despite its growing popularity, brewing continues to face significant structural barriers restricting who has access to these spaces. This course will explore the historical, cultural, and economic forces that have influenced, and been influenced by, the production and consumption of beer in its many styles and varieties. Students who successfully complete this seminar will satisfy one half of the social relations, institutions, and agents area of inquiry requirement.

Benjamin Anderson, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics, has been teaching at Colgate and calling Hamilton his home since 2011. In addition to teaching and research interests in the economics of sports, Ben is excited to teach a course combining his research interests in the industrial organization of agricultural and food industries with his personal interests in beer history and culture. He received his PhD in Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics from The Ohio State University in 2011 and his research has been published in the Journal of Industrial Economics, the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the Journal of Sports Economics, and Applied Economics.