BEER SINCE FOREVER 2

At that time, the inhabitants of distant Asia also had their own versions of the drink, made in the same way from barley, water, yeast, and various spices. The Chinese were already preparing their own beer, called kiu, 4,000 years ago. Brewing in India is evidenced by a record in the Rig-Veda, the oldest work of ancient Indian literature. In Israel, the beverage brewed from cereals was called sicera. In this context, king David is mentioned as the patron of brewers.

South American Indians also drank beer prepared from maize long before the arrival of Europeans.

FIG. 1: A relief inscription found in the territory of modern-day Israel depicts the production of beer. The grain was sorted and the seeds were crushed. They then kneaded a special bread, which was mashed with barley malt. This mixture was boiled and, once cooled, left to ferment. Since the beverage brewed in this way was not filtered, it was drunk through straws.

Beer likely travelled to the ancient Greeks and Romans via trade routes from Egypt. Despite living in predominantly wine-growing regions, they gladly accepted beer and began brewing it themselves. The Celts, however, brought beer far to the north during their migrations.

The Slavs, who arrived from somewhere in the east, were producing their own beers at that time. These were quite special, as they were seasoned with hops. The novelty quickly caught on in other parts of Europe as well.

FIG. 2: King David, the patron of brewers in ancient Israel.

FIG. 3: The Roman goddess of agriculture, Ceres, was also the patroness of brewing.