<P> Asia's first brewery was incorporated in 1855 (although it was established earlier) by Edward Dyer at Kasauli in the Himalayan Mountains in India under the name Dyer Breweries . The company still exists and is known as Mohan Meakin, today comprising a large group of companies across many industries . </P> <P> Following significant improvements in the efficiency of the steam engine in 1765, industrialization of beer became a reality . Further innovations in the brewing process came about with the introduction of the thermometer in 1760 and hydrometer in 1770, which allowed brewers to increase efficiency and attenuation . </P> <P> Prior to the late 18th century, malt was primarily dried over fires made from wood, charcoal, or straw, and after 1600, from coke . </P> <P> In general, none of these early malts would have been well shielded from the smoke involved in the kilning process, and consequently, early beers would have had a smoky component to their flavors; evidence indicates that maltsters and brewers constantly tried to minimize the smokiness of the finished beer . </P>

Where was beer first brewed and how was it believed to originate