Final answer:
The etymology of the Spanish word for beer, 'cerveza', is intricately linked to Demeter, the Greek goddess of harvest, whose influence spanned across agriculture and the ensuing production of beer which played a significant role in the establishment of cities and the shift to a sedentary lifestyle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spanish word for beer, 'cerveza', has an etymological connection to the goddess Demeter, related to the cultivation of grain and agriculture. Demeter, being the goddess of harvest and agriculture in ancient Greek religion and myth, underscores the significance of grain both in the sustenance and in the production of alcoholic beverages like beer. The establishment of cities and the domestication of grain, as posited by multiple researchers, were stimulated by the brewing of beer, a process which likely contributed to settling down of nomadic populations. Moreover, the consumption of beer also had health benefits by providing a safer alternative to potentially unsanitary water sources, contributing to the survival and growth of these early settlements.