Beer: The Drink Which Makes One's Heart Feel Light

Q: When was beer first brewed in Mesopotamia?

Beer was first brewed in Mesopotamia circa 4000 BCE.

Q: Who were the first brewers of beer in Mesopotamia?

Women were the first brewers of beer in Mesopotamia and continued to be so until men saw how profitable brewing and selling beer could be and took over.

Q: Was beer linked to religion in Mesopotamia?

Yes. Beer was thought to be the "drink of the gods" and its manufacture was overseen by the goddess Ninkasi.

Q: Where was "modern beer" first developed?

Modern beer was first developed in Germany as early as 800 BCE. The difference between this beer and "ancient beer" was the addition of hops.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

Beer is one of the oldest intoxicating beverages consumed by human beings. Even a cursory survey of history makes clear that, after human beings have taken care of the essential needs of food, shelter, and rudimentary laws for the community, their next immediate concern is developing intoxicants. In ancient Mesopotamia, this was accomplished circa 4000 BCE.

More about: Beer

Timeline

c. 5000 BCE
Godin Tepe settled.
c. 3500 BCE - c. 3100 BCE
Beer brewed at Godin Tepe.
c. 2250 BCE
Beer brewed in Egypt.
c. 2150 BCE - c. 2000 BCE
Written form of the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, which mentions beer.
2050 BCE
The Alulu Beer Receipt Tablet written at the city of Ur.
c. 1800 BCE
Written form of the Hymn to Ninkasi, the goddess of beer.
c. 1800 BCE
The Sumerian Hymn to Ninkasi, goddess of beer, written down.
c. 1700 BCE
The Code of Hammurabi, with laws regulating beer, written at Babylon.
800 BCE
Beer brewed in Germany.
496 BCE - 406 BCE
Life of Greek playwright Sophocles, who suggests moderation in drinking beer.
56 CE - 117 CE
Life of the Roman writer Tacitus who mentions beer in his work.
179 CE
Beer brewed at the Roman outpost Casta Regina on the Danube.
331 CE - 363 CE
Life of the Roman Emperor Julian who wrote poem disparaging beer.
770 CE
King Charlemagne appoints brewers. Beer brewed in France.
c. 1600 CE
The Finnish Saga of Kalevala written down from older sources. Describes creation of beer using hops.