10 Weird Facts About Brewing History

Brewing has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries, with each era contributing unique quirks and innovations to the craft. While many are familiar with the basics of brewing, there are some truly peculiar and unexpected aspects of its history that may surprise you. Here are 10 weird facts about brewing that showcase the diverse and colorful journey of this age-old practice.

1. Ancient Beer Recipes on Sumerian Tablets:

Travel back to ancient Mesopotamia, and you’ll discover that brewing beer was not just a pastime but a serious business. Sumerians, around 4000 BCE, recorded their beer recipes on clay tablets, revealing a surprising level of sophistication in their brewing techniques.

2. Egyptian Beer for the Afterlife:

In ancient Egypt, beer was not only a beverage for the living but also a provision for the afterlife. Tombs often contained jars of beer, ensuring that the departed had a taste of the brew in the next realm.

3. The Beer Flood of 1814:

London experienced an unusual disaster in 1814 when a ruptured vat at the Meux and Company Brewery sent a tidal wave of beer flooding through the streets. Sadly, eight people lost their lives in what became known as the “London Beer Flood.”

4. Beer as Legal Tender in Ancient Babylonia:

In Babylonia, beer was so highly valued that it became a form of currency. Workers were often paid in beer, highlighting its significance in both social and economic aspects of ancient Babylonian society.

5. The Reinheitsgebot and its Surprising Origins:

The German Beer Purity Law, known as the Reinheitsgebot, mandated that beer could only be brewed with barley, water, and hops. However, yeast was a crucial element in brewing, and its role was not fully understood until Louis Pasteur’s work in the 19th century.

6. George Washington’s Small Beer:

Even the founding father of the United States, George Washington, was a homebrewer. His personal recipe for “small beer,” a low-alcohol brew, included molasses and bran, showcasing his interest in the brewing arts.

7. The Bizarre Case of the Beer Tsunami:

In 2011, a massive tsunami hit Japan, causing devastation. Amid the destruction, one miraculous incident occurred at a brewery in the town of Sendai. Despite severe damage to the facility, the beer tanks remained intact, and the brewery was able to continue production shortly after the disaster.

8. Czech Beer and Pilsner Origin:

The famous Pilsner beer originated in the Czech town of Pilsen in 1842 when a batch of beer was deemed undrinkable due to spoilage. The beer was dumped into the streets, but instead of being upset, the citizens loved the taste and demanded more, leading to the creation of Pilsner lager.

9. The World’s Oldest Brewery:

Archaeologists discovered what is believed to be the world’s oldest brewery in a cave in Raqefet, Israel. Dating back to around 13,000 years ago, the site contained remnants of barley, wheat, and legumes, suggesting an early form of beer production.

10. Beer in Space:

In 2019, an American beer company sent beer ingredients to the International Space Station to study how microgravity affects the brewing process. This quirky experiment aimed to explore the possibility of brewing beer in space, opening up new frontiers for interstellar brewing.

Wrapping It Up

The history of brewing is a tapestry woven with strange and intriguing threads. From ancient recipes etched on clay tablets to beer tsunamis and space-age brewing experiments, these weird facts showcase the diverse and unexpected aspects of the world’s oldest fermented beverage. Cheers to the strange, wonderful, and sometimes downright bizarre world of brewing history!