Do you love beer? Have you ever wondered about its history?
Today we bring you 10 facts about ancient Egyptian beer.
Today we bring you 10 facts about ancient Egyptian beer.
[She] sent you to school when you were ready to be taught writing,
and she waited for you daily at home with bread and beer.
- Instructions of Ani, regarding his mother
1. Gift From The Gods
According to legend, Osiris (Egyptian god of the afterlife, renewal, and rebirth) taught the ancient Egyptians how to brew beer.2. Hop-free
Ancient Egyptians didn’t have the benefit of hops, so their beer tasted different than today’s version. It was often flavored with fruits.3. Get Out The Strainer
Ancient Egyptian beer was not clear. It required a lot of straining to remove the chaff and other floating debris.
4. Women Brewmasters
Traditionally, women brewed beer, allowing them to earn a little extra money (or bartered goods).5. Industrial Brewery
The Giza pyramid construction site--which was staffed by 10,000 workers--had its very own enormous brewery to supply all those laborers.
6. Beer Rations
Speaking of Giza, each pyramid-builder received three rations of beer per day. This kept them hydrated, and provided extra calories. Given that there were 10,000 laborers, though, that’s a lot of beer! (side note: beer was often quite low-alcohol)
7. Standardized Jars
People throughout ancient Egypt were often paid in beer, so the jars were roughly uniform in size.
8. Beer For What Ails You
It’s true, ancient Egyptians often prescribed beer for medicinal purposes. It’s said there are over 100 remedies using beer!
9. Tax-Free
Beer was so popular in ancient Egypt that rulers didn’t dare put a tax on it.
…Until…
10. The Cleopatra Beer Tax
Yes, famous Cleopatra VII lost a little popularity toward the end of her reign when she implemented a tax on beer. Apparently, she claimed the tax was to prevent public drunkenness but in truth it probably helped pay for Egypt's war with Rome.
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| Ancient Egyptian beer jar made from Nile silt. - Captmondo |
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with beer.
- 2200 BC inscription
Ancient Egyptian beer probably didn't taste much like Budweiser. It's likely there were hundreds of home-brew recipes for how to brew beer. If you recreated it today, it probably wouldn't make the pages of Beer Magazine. Yet ancient Egyptian beer is at the roots of some of the oldest traditions in brewing.
Who knew ancient Egyptians had such a fascinating history with the wonderful, humble beer?
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