In North America, alcoholic beverages were being produced long before any of the Europeans arrived. It is known that the first European settlers were greeted by natives who were bearing gifts of wine made from the persimmon. In the southwestern region of the continent, the native Indians were brewing a beverage made from the fermentation of a type of corn called maize. It is also known that the passengers of the Mayflower were forced ashore, partly due to a shortage of beer. As proof of the importance of beer, the daily consumption of the Puritans was regulated by law. …
