Beer has an ancient history, tracing back thousands of years to some of the earliest known civilizations. Its origins and role in society extend far beyond mere consumption as a beverage; it played significant cultural, religious, and economic roles in the lives of ancient peoples.

Below, World History Edu delves into how beer developed in the ancient world, its production processes, its uses, and its place in various civilizations.

READ MORE: Oldest Civilizations of All Time

Origins of Beer

Beer is one of the oldest fermented beverages, with its origins likely dating back to around 7,000 BCE. Early evidence suggests that the first beer was likely brewed in the region known today as Iran, in the ancient Neolithic settlements where the domestication of grains, particularly barley, occurred.

The discovery of cereal grains as a food source marked a critical turning point in human history, and beer may have emerged when grain stored in containers fermented spontaneously, possibly due to exposure to natural yeasts.

The earliest archaeological evidence of beer comes from ancient Sumer, in modern-day Iraq, dating to around 4,000 BCE. In this region, beer was a fundamental aspect of life. Sumerians even had a goddess of beer, Ninkasi, and one of the oldest known recipes in the world is a hymn to her, which also serves as a beer recipe. This indicates that beer was not only consumed regularly but was also culturally and religiously significant.

READ MORE: Rise and Fall of Ancient Sumer

Ingredients and Brewing Process

In the ancient world, beer was typically made from barley, which was one of the first domesticated grains. However, the process and ingredients varied from region to region, and some ancient beers were made using wheat, millet, or other grains. The brewing process involved malting the grain, which is the process of soaking it in water to allow it to sprout before drying and crushing it. This prepared grain was then mixed with water and left to ferment.

In Sumerian and Egyptian societies, the brewing process was rudimentary by modern standards, but it was surprisingly sophisticated for the time. They often used bread, either baked or mashed, as part of the brewing process. The bread was fermented in large vats, with natural yeast present in the air or in the grains themselves aiding the fermentation process. The resulting beer was likely thick and porridge-like, quite different from the clear, carbonated beers we know today. It was also often flavored with various herbs, spices, and fruits to improve its taste, as the brewing process was not as refined as today’s techniques.

The beer of the ancient world was usually much lower in alcohol content than modern varieties and was a staple food for many civilizations. It provided vital nutrients and calories, especially in regions where the quality of drinking water was unreliable.

Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia

In Mesopotamia, beer was a staple of the diet and played an essential role in daily life. It was consumed by all levels of society, from the king to the common laborer. In fact, laborers were often paid in beer, a practice that highlights its importance in the economy. Workers constructing the great Ziggurats of Mesopotamia, for instance, were given daily rations of beer.

The Sumerians revered beer so much that they incorporated it into their religious practices. The Hymn to Ninkasi, a Sumerian poem dating to around 1800 BCE, not only praises the goddess of beer but also provides a recipe for brewing it. This text is one of the earliest known records of a recipe and shows that beer was not only an essential part of the diet but also a central element in religious and ceremonial life.

The Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest legal codes, also mentions beer. It outlines regulations for tavern keepers, illustrating that beer was a regulated commodity in Mesopotamian society. Penalties for overcharging or watering down beer were severe, emphasizing the value placed on fair trade and the quality of beer.

READ MORE: Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia

Beer in Ancient Egypt

In Egypt, beer was equally important and deeply embedded in the culture. The Egyptians called their beer “henqet” and used barley as the primary ingredient, though emmer wheat was also commonly used. Like in Mesopotamia, beer was a staple of the Egyptian diet, consumed daily by both adults and children. It was an important source of nutrition and hydration, especially given the hot, arid climate of Egypt.

Beer was closely tied to religious practices in ancient Egypt as well. Hathor, the goddess of music, dance, joy, and fertility, was also associated with beer. In myth, she is said to have used beer to prevent the destruction of humanity. The goddess Sekhmet, another prominent deity, was said to have been pacified with beer after a rampage, a myth which demonstrates beer’s role in divine myths and its importance in Egyptian society.

Beer was brewed at home and in large-scale production facilities, such as those attached to temples. Some Egyptian breweries were quite sophisticated, producing vast quantities of beer for the populace.

Beer was also used as an offering to the gods and as part of funeral rituals, placed in tombs for the deceased to enjoy in the afterlife. Archaeological discoveries of tomb paintings and inscriptions often depict scenes of beer production and consumption, further indicating its significant role in Egyptian society.

What everyday life was like in ancient Egypt

 

Beer in Ancient Europe

While the ancient Near East and Egypt are often highlighted as the cradles of beer, brewing practices also developed independently in ancient Europe. The earliest evidence of beer brewing in Europe dates to around 3,000 BCE, with remnants of beer being found in the Bronze Age and Iron Age archaeological sites. In northern Europe, beer became a key part of the daily diet and played an important role in social and ritual activities.

Celtic and Germanic tribes were known to brew beer from barley and wheat, often flavored with herbs such as heather, yarrow, and bog myrtle. These beers were typically brewed in communal settings, often by women, and served at festivals, feasts, and religious ceremonies. Beer played a central role in the social fabric of these ancient European societies.

The brewing process in ancient Europe was likely quite similar to that of the Near East, though the specific ingredients and methods varied depending on local resources. The beers produced in these societies were likely darker and more robust than those made in the Mediterranean regions, due to the use of roasted grains and the addition of local herbs.

READ MORE: Ancient Near East Civilizations and their Accomplishments

Beer and Health in the Ancient World

Beer wasn’t just a popular drink in the ancient world; it also had significant health implications. It provided a source of hydration in regions where water could be unsafe to drink, as the fermentation process killed off many harmful bacteria. Moreover, beer was an important source of calories and nutrients, especially in societies where food might be scarce at certain times of the year.

In ancient Egypt, for example, beer was seen as a life-sustaining beverage, given to laborers working on construction projects like the pyramids. These laborers were provided with daily rations of beer, which offered them sustenance and energy for their physically demanding work.

Additionally, beer had medicinal uses in many ancient societies. The Sumerians believed that beer could help treat ailments such as digestive issues, and beer was often included in prescriptions written by ancient healers. In Egypt, beer was used as an ingredient in various medicinal recipes, mixed with other substances to create healing potions and remedies.

The Decline of Beer’s Prominence in the Classical Era

As civilizations progressed, particularly with the rise of Greece and Rome, beer’s status as the drink of choice began to decline in favor of wine. The Greeks and Romans saw beer as a “barbarian” drink, often associated with the northern tribes of Europe and not with the refined, cultivated Mediterranean lifestyle they promoted.

The Greek historian Herodotus noted the widespread consumption of beer in Egypt, contrasting it with the wine culture of Greece. While the Greeks and Romans brewed and drank beer, they considered it inferior to wine, which was a symbol of civilization, intellect, and culture in their societies.

However, beer never disappeared entirely from the ancient world. Even in Roman times, it continued to be consumed, especially in the more rural and northern parts of the empire, where wine was less accessible or more expensive. Roman soldiers stationed in Britain, for example, were known to drink beer, and brewing continued throughout the Roman Empire’s northern provinces.

READ MORE: When and why did the Romans leave Britain?

Did you know…?

• The word “beer” in English comes from the Latin word bibere, meaning “to drink,” through the German word bier. The Spanish word for beer, cerveza, comes from the Latin word cerevisia, which also refers to beer.
• Some scholars have suggested that pre-agricultural humans likely sought out naturally fermented fruits, which gave them the idea to brew beer intentionally as an intoxicant. This theory contends that beer may have preceded bread as a staple food.

Conclusion

Beer in the ancient world was much more than just a beverage; it was a staple food, a religious offering, a medicine, and a form of currency.

From the earliest known brews in Sumer to the beer rations provided to Egyptian laborers, beer played a crucial role in the development of ancient civilizations. Its production, consumption, and cultural significance offer a fascinating window into the daily lives, beliefs, and economies of the ancient world.

While beer’s prominence faded with the rise of the wine culture in classical Greece and Rome, it remained an essential part of life for many and laid the groundwork for the beer-making traditions that would continue to evolve throughout history.

Frequently asked questions

 

Which civilization is credited with popularizing beer, and when did beer brewing likely begin?

The Sumerians of Mesopotamia are credited with popularizing beer, and beer brewing likely began over 10,000 years ago. Evidence of beer brewing has been found at Godin Tepe in modern-day Iran, dating to around 3500 BCE, with some suggestions of earlier brewing in Sumer based on artifacts like beer jugs.

How did beer brewing spread to Egypt, and how did the Egyptians change the process?

Beer brewing spread to Egypt through trade, where the Egyptians refined the process and created a lighter, more popular product. Beer became an integral part of Egyptian society and was considered a divine gift from the gods.

Why did beer not gain the same popularity in Greece and Rome as it did in Mesopotamia and Egypt?

Beer did not gain as much popularity in Greece and Rome because both cultures preferred wine and considered beer a “barbarian” drink. Wine was seen as more refined, and beer was associated with non-Mediterranean cultures.

What was the first recorded beer, and where was it brewed?

The first recorded beer was brewed in ancient China around 7000 BCE, where it was known as kui. In the West, beer brewing began in Mesopotamia, particularly at Godin Tepe, between 3500 and 3100 BCE.

How was beer consumed in ancient Mesopotamia, and what innovation did they introduce to assist with drinking it?

In ancient Mesopotamia, beer was consumed using straws to filter out solids like bread or herbs mixed in the drink, which had a porridge-like consistency. The Sumerians or Babylonians are thought to have invented the straw specifically for drinking beer.

What role did women play in beer brewing in early Mesopotamian and Egyptian societies?

Women, particularly priestesses, were the original brewers in Mesopotamian and Egyptian societies. They brewed beer in households and temples as part of their daily duties, though later in Egypt, men took over the trade as it became commercialized.

What was the significance of the Alulu Beer Receipt in Mesopotamia?

The Alulu Beer Receipt from Ur, dating to 2050 BCE, is significant because it shows that beer had become a commercial product by that time, with receipts and transactions involving beer being documented.

How was beer integrated into Egyptian mythology, and what role did it play in the story of Sekhmet?

In Egyptian mythology, beer played a central role in the story of Sekhmet. Ra, the sun god, pacified the rampaging Sekhmet by giving her red-colored beer, which she mistook for blood. After drinking it and becoming intoxicated, she reverted to her gentler form as Hathor.

Relationship between Sekhmet and the sun god Ra

 

How did beer brewing evolve in northern Europe, and what law helped regulate beer production in Germany?

Beer brewing in northern Europe began with the Germans as early as 800 BCE. The craft was later taken up by Christian monks, and in 1516, the German Beer Purity Law, or Reinheitsgebot, regulated the ingredients allowed in beer, ensuring its quality.

How did beer spread throughout Europe, and what role did it play in Finland’s folklore?

Beer brewing spread throughout Europe, including Finland, where it became part of folklore. In the Finnish Saga of Kalewala, beer is praised for its positive effects on health and happiness, reflecting the cultural significance of beer across societies.