Modern craft beer may seem like a thoroughly modern phenomenon, but its roots actually stretch all the way back to ancient civilizations. From Sumerians to Egyptians, and even the Norse and Chinese, beer has always been a central part of human civilization, and those ancient influences are still bubbling to the surface in today’s craft beer scene. Let’s explore the innovations and rituals that began thousands of years ago and serve as the foundation for today’s artisanal brewing practices.
Four Ancient Civilizations and Their Influence on Modern Craft Beer.
1. The Sumerians: Brewing as a Sacred Art
The earliest written beer recipe dates back to around 1800 BCE. It comes from the Sumerians of Mesopotamia, who had a goddess of beer named Ninkasi. The Sumerians’ “Hymn to Ninkasi” was both a song and a recipe for brewing. This ancient civilization brewed beer by combining bappir (a type of bread) with water and fermenting agents in clay vessels.
Modern Influence: The reverence with which Sumerians treated brewing is apparent today in craft brewers who treat their process like a spiritual or artistic ritual. The return of ancient-style brews, like those using wild fermentation or primitive grains, is a direct nod to these ancient methods.
2. Ancient Egypt: Beer for All and the Rise of Mass Production
Yes, ancient Egypt used beer for ceremonial purposes, but it was also a staple of daily life. Workers on the pyramids were often paid in beer and bread, and brewing became a specialized, large-scale operation overseen by women. Ancient Egyptians brewed with emmer wheat, dates, and spices to create a nutritious and flavorful beverage.
Modern Influence: Today’s interest in saisons, gruits, and other historical beer styles with unique, regionally sourced ingredients goes back to ancient Egyptian methods. Modern breweries are also nodding to this ancient civilization’s methods by including dates and other ancient fruits in their specialty brews.
3. The Chinese and the Oldest Known Beer
In China, evidence of fermented beverages made from rice, honey, and fruit dates back to 7000 BCE. This brew resembled a hybrid between beer and mead, reflecting a resourceful approach to fermentation by using locally available ingredients.
Modern Influence: The innovative blend of techniques used in ancient China pops up today in modern fusion beers. Craft brewers often create hybrid styles by borrowing from mead, sake, and even winemaking techniques. The use of sorghum, rice, and millet in gluten-free or Asian-inspired brews is a legacy of ancient Chinese experiments.
4. The Norse and Ritual Brewing
Viking society used beer as a daily beverage and as an integral part of religious and celebratory rituals. Mead and ale were consumed during feasts dedicated to gods like Odin and Thor. The ancient civilization’s brewing process often involved natural fermentation and herbs like juniper.
Modern Influence: The Norse influence lives on through modern craft beers fermented with wild yeasts, herbs, or smoked malts. The concept of farmhouse ales also draws inspiration from historical, localized brewing methods.
The Global Thread: Fermentation and Community
One unifying theme in ancient brewing is its role in community life. For ancient civilizations, beer served as currency, sustenance, and a celebration. It brought people together around fires, temples, and marketplaces. It was communal and cultural.
Today’s craft beer movement celebrates the same principles. Taprooms, beer festivals, and community-supported breweries foster local culture and connections. The shift toward small-batch, locally sourced brews reflects an ancient reverence for place and process.
Honor the Past at The Growler Guys
Modern brewing may benefit from scientific precision and a broad ingredient palette, but its soul remains ancient. Today’s brewers pay homage to their predecessors by embracing experimentation, honoring tradition, and using beer to tell stories that span millennia. Every time you come into your local Growler Guys, you’re tapping into a timeless human story.
Our extensive rotating tap list is the perfect starting point to explore the bold brews and unconventional styles that ancient civilizations spawned. Ask our certified Beer Stewards for their recommendations, or enjoy your favorite date-infused Saison or farmhouse ale brewed with wild yeast. Stop in to The Growler Guys for a flight, pint, or growler fill today, and cheers to a timeless tradition.
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