Sumer (circa 2500 BC)
• Region in ancient Mesopotamia, modern day Iran
• Capital city was Uruk, probably largest in the world at the time
• Brewing and drinking alcohol was a big part of the Sumerian life
• Brewed a form of beer they called “kash”
• Made from a grain, converted into “happir” bread, fermented then grapes and honey added
• It was unfiltered, so you needed to drink it with a straw
• Documented the brewing quality and amounts
• Made 8 types from barley, 8 from wheat and 3 from mixed grains
• Drinking was documented and regulated
• A quote from the famous Sumerian poem, and possibly the oldest written work in existence, called “Gilgamesh” (circa 2000 B.C.) translated into English
Enkidu knew nothing about eating bread for food,
And of drinking beer he had not been taught.
The harlot spoke to Enkidu saying,
‘Eat the food, Enkidu. It is the way one lives.
Drink the beer, as is the custom of the land.”
Enkidu ate the food until he was sated.
He drank the jugs – 7 jugs! He became expansive and sang with joy!”
http://elswet.50megs.com/paths/meso.html
Egypt (circa 3400 BC)
• World’s oldest brewery found in the ruins of the city of Hierakonpolis
• The common person drank beer & the rulers drank wine
• Sumerian-style beer brewed
• Could produce up to 3,000 gallons a day
• Also the site of a significant pottery business
• Main products were jugs and cups for beer
• Very large number of relics remain
• Beer was unquestionably a big part of the lifestyle
• Many different varietals of wine
• Wine was made and traded throughout the Middle East, mostly modern Israel & Palestine
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/hierakonpolis.htm
More on ancient Egyptian brews in the next installment…
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