To Beer Or Not To Beer? A Liquid History of Economic Development in Canada and Zambia

This paper explores the integral role of beer in the economic development and social fabric of Toronto, Canada, and Lusaka, Zambia. While a recent biography paints a negative picture of Toronto's historical relationship with alcohol, this paper argues that beer has been a crucial driver of economic growth, tax revenue, and industrialization. Similarly, the study highlights the absence of brewing incentives in Zambia's Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone, advocating for the recognition of beer's developmental impact. The findings underscore the importance of local craft breweries in shaping Toronto and Lusaka's contemporary identities and livability.