BEER SINCE FOREVER 1

Dating from approximately the same period are two stone tablets found in Mesopotamia, with an ancient Sumerian hymn of praise dedicated to the beer goddess Ninkasi inscribed on. The verses contain a detailed description of the recipe for brewing beer.

FIG. 1: Stone tablets with a poem dedicated to the beer goddess Ninkasi.

FIG. 2: Egyptian beers haamet, heqet, tenemw

Hieroglyphic records and depicted scenes from Egypt contain detailed instructions for the beer preparation. Archaeologists in Egypt have also discovered the remains of an actual brewery dating back some 3,300 years. It contained preserved brewing kettles, ingredients for preparing this ancient drink (malt, wheat, dates) perfectly preserved in the heat of the sand, and clay vessels for its storage.

FIG. 3: The Egyptians were masters of brewing during the time of the pharaohs. The finest beverage was brewed for warriors, the clergy, and rulers. It was made from selected barley. Certain grasses and seeds from various plants were added for flavour. After fermentation, the beer was poured into jars, which were then hermetically sealed.