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They say beer is proof that the gods love us and want us to be happy—although I’m pretty sure that’s just something we tell ourselves after the third pint. But jokes aside, beer has a wild history, one dating back over 6,000 years! Beer has been a loyal companion to humanity for thousands of years, serving as sustenance, social lubricant, and even a form of currency. So, who do we have to thank for this exquisite elixir? Well, this article will traverse the annuls of history to answer the age-old question: who made the first beer?
The Earliest Evidence of Beer-Making
Our first destination is ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilisation, nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now modern-day Iraq. Around 4,000 to 5,000 BCE, the Sumerians were busy inventing writing, developing the wheel, and, most importantly, perfecting the art of brewing.
Archaeological digs have unearthed clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform script that don’t just talk about taxes or grain supplies—they genuinely include references to beer.
The Hymn to Ninkasi
One of the most captivating artefacts is the “Hymn to Ninkasi,” a Sumerian poem dating back to approximately 1800 BCE. Now, this isn’t just any old hymn that you sang at Sunday school. It’s essentially the world’s oldest known beer recipe, cleverly disguised as a song. One I desperately want to learn to belt out at karaoke. Apparently, singing your way through the brewing process was the ancient equivalent of following a recipe blog—minus the life story about how their grandmother inspired their love for sourdough.
Ninkasi, the goddess of beer, was revered in Sumerian culture, and the hymn not only praises her but also provides step-by-step instructions on brewing (isn’t that convenient). It details the soaking and pounding of grains, mixing with sweet aromatics, and the fermentation process. Sounds a bit like an episode of “The Great Sumerian Bake Off,” doesn’t it?
Using Beer as Currency
Moreover, beer had significant economic and social value. I often bet my friends in pints when I’m at the pub. But here, workers were often paid in beer rations, and it played a crucial role in religious ceremonies and offerings to the gods. The Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length, includes laws regulating beer parlours and ensuring fair practices. Basically, it’s a sort of early Trading Standard, keeping your pint honest.
In Sumerian society, beer wasn’t just a boozy treat but a daily staple. Thick and hearty, their beer was more like porridge and was consumed through straws to avoid the grainy bits at the bottom. What I imagine to be a sort of gross ancient smoothie. It was a source of nutrition and was often safer to drink than water, given the latter’s questionable quality.
Beer in Ancient Egypt
Leaving the fertile crescent, we set sail to the land of pharaohs and pyramids: ancient Egypt. Beer in Egypt was as ubiquitous as the Nile itself, with brewing dating back to at least 3,000 BCE. It was consumed by all levels of society, from labourers to royalty. In fact, some historians argue that the pyramids might not have been built without beer (and aliens). Workers received daily rations of up to four litres—a motivational technique that I might inform my HR department about.
Archaeologists have uncovered several ancient breweries. One of the most significant discoveries is the brewery at Abydos, dating back to the reign of King Narmer, who is credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt. This industrial-scale operation could produce up to 22,400 litres of beer at a time, suggesting that mass production is not just a modern phenomenon.
The Festival of Drunkeness
In Egyptian mythology, beer was considered a divine gift, and I would argue it still is. According to the myth, Ra, the sun god, sent Hathor, who transformed into the lioness goddess Sekhmet, to punish humanity for their disobedience (stay with me). She became a rampaging force, almost wiping out the human race.
To end the carnage, Ra devised a plan to stop her: he ordered that a large quantity of beer be dyed red to resemble blood and spread across the fields. Mistaking the beer for blood, Sekhmet drank it all, became intoxicated, and fell into a deep sleep. When she awoke, her bloodlust had been satisfied, and she had transformed back into the gentler goddess Hathor, thereby sparing humanity.
The “Festival of Drunkenness” was held annually to commemorate this event. It involved ritualistic drinking, music, and dancing, with participants drinking copious amounts until they achieved a state of, let’s say, divine communion. The idea was that in this state of complete intoxication, you could perceive the goddess better for who she is; I might try it this weekend.
Beer as Medicine: Sign me up!
Beer also played a role in medicine. Ancient papyri contain recipes where beer is an ingredient in remedies for various ailments. One well-known example is the Ebers Papyrus, dating back to around 1550 BCE, one of the oldest and most extensive medical papyri from ancient Egypt.
Additionally, tomb inscriptions and artworks depict brewing scenes, highlighting its importance in the afterlife. The deceased were often buried with beer jars to ensure they didn’t go thirsty on their journey—a thoughtful gesture, indeed.
The Spread of Beer-Making Techniques
As civilisation spread, so did the secrets of brewing. From the Middle East, beer-making techniques found their way to Europe and Asia. The ancient Greeks and Romans had a complicated relationship with beer. While wine was the drink of choice, beer was still produced, especially in regions where grape cultivation was challenging.
The Celts and Germanic tribes, on the other hand, bloody loved beer. They viewed it as a vital part of their culture and rituals. These societies introduced innovations like wooden barrels, improving fermentation and storage. They experimented with various grains—barley, wheat, oats—and added ingredients like honey and herbs, laying the groundwork for the diverse beer styles we have today.
In Asia, evidence suggests that beer-like beverages were independently developed. In ancient China, residues found in pottery jars from Jiahu, dating back to around 7,000 BCE, indicate a fermented drink made from rice, honey, and fruit—a prehistoric cocktail of sorts. Although not beer in the traditional sense, it shows that the desire to ferment and enjoy a tipple is a universal human trait.
Furthermore, ancient South American cultures like the Incas brewed “chicha,” a beer made from maise. Similarly, African tribes produced sorghum and millet beers. These independently developed brewing traditions highlight how fermentation was a natural progression in societies worldwide, often discovered accidentally when grains were left in water and began to ferment. I suppose it is just like penicillin and equally as important to humanity.
Who Made the First Beer?
So, back to our pressing question: who truly made the first beer? The short answer is that it’s a bit like trying to determine who told the first joke—we can’t know for certain, but we’re glad they did. The earliest solid evidence points to the Sumerians, but the simultaneous development of brewing in other cultures suggests that beer might have been invented independently in various places.
The accidental fermentation theory is a popular one. Imagine ancient humans collecting grains, which get wet and start fermenting naturally. Curious and perhaps a bit daring, they taste the concoction and find it not only palatable but pleasantly intoxicating. Eureka! They’ve discovered beer.
Women in Brewing
Another common thread is the role of women in brewing. In many ancient societies, brewing was considered an extension of baking; both involved grains and domestic skills. Women were often the primary brewers, holding essential knowledge passed down through generations. They were the original brewmasters, long before the term became trendy.
Some anthropologists even suggest that the desire to brew beer could have driven early agricultural development. The “beer before bread” theory posits that humans began cultivating grains not just for food but to ensure a steady supply for brewing. While this remains speculative, it’s an intriguing notion that beer might have played a pivotal role in the rise of civilisation.
The Legacy of Ancient Beer-Makers
The influence of these ancient brewers is still felt today. Modern brewing techniques, while more technologically advanced, follow the same fundamental principles established millennia ago. The process of malting grains, mashing, boiling, and fermenting remains at the heart of brewing.
Craft breweries around the world are increasingly interested in historical beers, recreating ancient recipes to offer a taste of the past. Some have attempted to brew beers based on the “Hymn to Ninkasi,” while others draw inspiration from Egyptian and Celtic brewing methods.
Moreover, the cultural significance of beer is evident in language and literature. Phrases like “liquid courage” and “social lubricant” attest to beer’s role in human interaction. Literary works from “The Epic of Gilgamesh” to Shakespeare’s plays feature references to beer and ale, highlighting its enduring presence in human storytelling.
Beer continues to be a social binder, just as it was in ancient times. Whether sharing a pint at the local pub or participating in festivals and traditions, beer brings people together. It is truly incredible that beer links us today and our ancient ancestors. I’ll drink to that!
Summary
Beer-making dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 4,000 to 5,000 BCE, with the Sumerians who left references to beer in their clay tablets. The “Hymn to Ninkasi,” a Sumerian poem from 1800 BCE, is the oldest known beer recipe. Beer held economic, social, and religious significance, often used as currency and in rituals. In Egypt, beer was also vital, with breweries like the one at Abydos dating to King Narmer’s reign. The “Festival of Drunkenness” celebrated beer’s divine role in mythology. Brewing knowledge spread worldwide, influencing cultures, and women were often the primary brewers.
FAQs
Who was the first civilisation to drink beer?
The first known civilisation to drink beer were the Sumerians, who lived in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 4,000 BCE.
What is the oldest beer in the world?
The oldest known beer in the world is from a Sumerian recipe dating back to around 3,900 BCE. This ancient beer was quite different from what we drink today, as it was brewed using barley bread called “bappir,” water, and various spices. The oldest surviving beer that is still produced today is believed to be Weihenstephaner, brewed by the Weihenstephan Brewery in Bavaria, Germany, which has been in continuous operation since 1040 AD.
Who brought beer to England?
Beer was likely introduced to England by the Romans during their occupation of Britain, which began in 43 AD. However, beer brewing in England took off in the Middle Ages, with the influence of monasteries that perfected brewing techniques.
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