beer has existed for over 10,000 years, when it was accidentally discovered that the fermentation process could create an inebriating beverage - the drink has a long history in brazil, where the first records of its consumption date back to the 17th century.

the drink did not gain popularity in the country until the early 19th century when the portuguese introduced it as a commercial beverage, and brewing commenced in the country in 1836 - the journal of commerce of rio de janeiro published an ad stating: 'brazilian brewery is selling beer, a welcomed and sought-after alcoholic beverage - this healthy drink unites cheapness with a pleasant taste and the capacity to be preserved for a long time.' 

in rio, during the 1840s and 50s vogelin and bager opened one of the first beer firms in jardim botânico and henry leiden and co. opened a national beer factory in the latter half of the 19th century - a huge number of the industrial beer firms and factories that emerged over the next decades were opened in rio de janeiro.