<P> Barley is a key ingredient in beer and whisky production . Two - row barley is traditionally used in German and English beers . Six - row barley was traditionally used in US beers, but both varieties are in common usage now . Distilled from green beer, whiskey has been made primarily from barley in Ireland and Scotland, while other countries have used more diverse sources of alcohol, such as the more common corn, rye and wheat in the USA . In the US, a grain type may be identified on a whisky label if that type of grain constitutes 51% or more of the ingredients and certain other conditions are satisfied . About 25% of the United States' production of barley is used for malting, for which barley is the best - suited grain . </P> <P> Barley wine is a style of strong beer from the English brewing tradition . Another alcoholic drink known by the same name, enjoyed in the 18th century, was prepared by boiling barley in water, then mixing the barley water with white wine and other ingredients, such as borage, lemon and sugar . In the 19th century, a different barley wine was made prepared from recipes of ancient Greek origin . </P> <P> Nonalcoholic drinks such as barley water and roasted barley tea have been made by boiling barley in water . In Italy, barley is also sometimes used as coffee substitute, caffè d'orzo (coffee of barley). This drink is obtained from ground, roasted barley and it is prepared as an espresso (it can be prepared using percolators, filter machines or cafetieres). It became widely used during the Fascist period and WWII, as Italy was affected by embargo and struggled to import coffee . It was also a cheaper option for poor families (often grown and roasted at home) in the period . Afterwards, it was promoted and sold as a coffee substitute for children . Nowadays, it is experiencing a revival and it can be considered some Italians' favourite alternative to coffee when, for health reasons, caffeine drinks are not recommended . </P> <P> Half of the United States' barley production is used as livestock feed . Barley is an important feed grain in many areas of the world not typically suited for maize production, especially in northern climates--for example, northern and eastern Europe . Barley is the principal feed grain in Canada, Europe, and in the northern United States . A finishing diet of barley is one of the defining characteristics of western Canadian beef used in marketing campaigns . </P>

Where was the first wheat and barley harvested