A Little Known Mayflower Fact

Beer changed the course of history in many ways... here is one example:

In a diary one Pilgrim confessed that the reason they stopped in Massachusetts as opposed to their intended destination of Virginia was because their supply of beer was running dangerously low. Realizing the severity of their situation, their priority instantly changed.The moment they set foot on land (or rock) the Pilgrims wasted no time in brewing up a new batch.

It sounds funny, but it is also logical. Beer was a necessity on long ocean voyages. Even though sea water is plentiful and can be strained of salt and be sterilized, beer is less likely to become contaminated. For that reason beer became a staple of their diet.