In the ancient world, beer held a unique place in many societies. While some cultures treated beer with reverence and even had gods dedicated to brewing, the Greeks and Romans took a very different approach. They saw beer as a lesser drink, often preferring wine and viewing beer consumption as something practiced by outsiders.
Despite this attitude from the elites, beer was commonly enjoyed throughout large parts of the Roman Empire, especially in regions like Gaul, Britain, and Egypt. The ways beer was brewed and consumed reflected local customs and resources, leading to a variety of flavors and styles distinct from modern versions.
Key Takeaways
- Many ancient cultures valued beer, but Greeks and Romans looked down on it.
- Beer was widely consumed in certain regions of the Roman Empire.
- Roman beer was different from today’s beer and slowly lost popularity to wine.
Ancient Beer Gods and Cultural Attitudes
Sumerian Beer Spirits and Early Deities
Long before written history, people looked up to gods and goddesses linked with beer. In ancient Sumer, Ninkasi was worshipped as the goddess of brewing. She watched over the whole beer-making process and made sure the gods were well-supplied with her brews. Other cultures, like the Norse, had gods associated with brewing tools and endless drinks for feasts.
Examples of Ancient Beer Deities:
| Culture | Deity Name | Connection to Beer |
|---|---|---|
| Sumerian | Ninkasi | Brewing process |
| Norse | Ægir | Brewing kettle and ale horns |
Gods and Goddesses of Beer and Brewing
Some societies honored several divine figures related to beer. In Lithuania, there were three main figures for beer: a beer god, a beer goddess, and a god in charge of fermentation. Each had a special job in the steps that turned grains into beer.
Beer Spirits in Lithuania:
- A male god of beer
- A female goddess of beer
- A separate god focused on fermentation
This shows how important beer-making was in some places, with each stage of brewing having its own spiritual help.
Greek and Roman Thoughts on Beer
The Greeks and Romans did not honor any gods of beer. For both cultures, beer was not seen as a drink for civilized people. They often called it “barley wine” and did not give it much respect. Instead, they praised wine as the proper drink for the upper class.
Most Greek and Roman writers looked down on beer, calling it sour, unhealthy, or even disgusting. Some said beer could make people angry or sick. As a result, beer was seen as unrefined and not suitable for important people.
Famous Opinions:
- Aristotle thought beer drinkers would fall over, dazed.
- The writer Tacitus compared German beer to spoiled wine.
- Emperor Julian wrote that beer smelled bad, like a goat.
Beer as a Sign of Being “Uncivilized”
Beer was often linked with people the Romans and Greeks saw as less civilized or even “barbarian.” For example, they thought groups like the Pannonians or Germans got drunk and angry from beer, unlike those who drank wine.
Even in parts of the empire where beer was common, like Gaul or Egypt, the upper class often refused to drink beer because of its reputation. Beer was cheaper than wine and was popular among soldiers, workers, and in everyday life, yet it never overcame its bad image.
Key Points:
- Beer was popular in northern and eastern regions of the empire.
- Many considered beer a drink for those outside of “proper” Roman or Greek culture.
- Only after the empire’s fall did beer regain some prestige, helped by new rulers who celebrated beer drinking.
Beer in Greek and Roman Society
Views of the Elite and Writers
People from the upper classes in Greece and Rome often thought poorly of beer. They viewed it as a drink for those seen as less civilized. Wine was admired for its qualities, while beer’s smell and taste were criticized by writers and leaders. Some writers even compared the smell of beer to that of a goat.
Roman historians and philosophers wrote that beer was common among groups they saw as “barbarians.” Sometimes, a few writers said beer from other places could taste good, but this was rare. For most elites, beer was not respected and was linked with rough manners.
| Drink | Viewed by Elites | Common Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wine | Civilized | Fragrant, pleasant |
| Beer | Uncivilized | Harsh, unpleasant, “goaty” |
Attitudes Regarding Beer and Health
Beer did not have a good reputation when it came to health. Some thinkers claimed it led to negative effects. For example, Aristotle said too much beer could make people lose their balance. Doctors of the time mentioned problems like causing gas, headaches, or “bad humors.”
In some texts, beer was linked to anger or wild behavior. These ideas made some people avoid beer or see it as risky compared to wine, which was thought to be cleaner and healthier.
- Claims about beer’s effects:
- Made people dizzy or stupefied
- Caused stomach issues
- Seen as encouraging bad moods
Beer, Social Rank, and Identity
In the Greek and Roman world, beer was closely tied to lower social status. The wealthy and powerful preferred wine, while beer was more common among the poor, soldiers, and people in regions with fewer vineyards. In many areas, local beer was drunk daily, but in elite circles, wine was used to show class and taste.
Beer’s low price made it widely available. In some places, even grand Roman villas had their own breweries, yet the drink was still looked down upon by many. Over time, as wine became easier to get, beer was pushed aside in some parts of the empire.
Key Points:
- Beer was cheap and very common among the masses.
- Wine became a symbol of being refined and high status.
- The choice of drink often showed which social group someone belonged to.
Beer Drinking Patterns Across the Roman Empire
Brewing in Gaul and Local Customs
In the region the Romans called Gaul, beer was part of daily life for many centuries. Even after large parts of Gaul started to grow grapes and make wine, beer stayed popular. People drank it at feasts using animal horns or at taverns using simple clay cups. Some cups even had writing asking to be filled with beer.
Over time, wine became more common among the upper classes in Gaul. Wealthy people sometimes traded a slave just for a single jar of expensive Italian wine. As vineyards spread, wine started to replace beer in many areas, but ordinary people kept brewing beer for a long while.
Quick Facts:
- Beer remained popular for centuries after the Roman conquest.
- Both feasts and taverns served beer.
- Wine slowly replaced beer among the rich and in southern regions.
Beer in Egyptian Daily Life
Beer was the favorite drink for people in Egypt, no matter their social class. Ancient symbols for drinks were often pictures of beer jars. Taverns served many kinds of beer, from darker and sweet varieties to those saved for afterlife rituals in tombs.
When the Romans took over Egypt, beer continued to be important. Even Roman doctors noted that beer and dried fish were common foods in Alexandria. In later Roman times, wine started to become more affordable and replaced beer in some areas, but brewing traditions lasted for many centuries.
Types of Egyptian Beer:
| Type of Beer | Common Places Served | Special Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Beer | Taverns | Daily drinking |
| Sweet Beer | Taverns, homes | Celebrations |
| “Beer of Eternity” | Tombs | Funerary offerings |
Beer Making in Roman Britain
When Roman soldiers came to Britain, the demand for beer went up. Military forts ordered beer from local brewers. Some brewers may have been former soldiers who learned brewing while in the army because many Roman forts had their own breweries.
Beer in Roman Britain tasted different from the beer people drink today. It was often sour and cloudy and did not last long because hops were not used. Brewers sometimes added honey or fruit to make it taste better.
Roman Britain Beer Facts:
- Roman forts often had their own breweries.
- Local brewers sometimes had military backgrounds.
- Beer cost much less than even the cheapest wine.
- It was unfiltered, sour, and spoiled quickly without hops.
Features and Making of Roman Beer
What Went Into Roman Beer and How They Made It
Roman beer was mostly made from barley. Brewers sometimes added honey or fruits to improve the taste, since the beer could be quite sour.
Most of the time, the beer was cloudy and grainy. It was often not filtered. People did not use hops, so the beer went bad quickly.
Roman soldiers and local brewers in places like Britain and Egypt made beer using simple tools. Some forts even had their own small breweries.
Taste, Smell, and How They Kept It Fresh
Roman beer was sour, and many people did not enjoy its flavor. To make it taste better, brewers might mix in sweeteners like honey or fruit.
The beer had a cloudy look and a thick texture. Since hops were not used, the beer spoiled fast and did not keep for long.
Roman elites thought beer smelled bad, sometimes even comparing it to a goat. Many saw it as unhealthy or uncivilized.
Price, Commonness, and How It Was Sold
Beer was cheap. According to ancient price lists, it cost only about one-fourth as much as the cheapest wine.
It was often bought by regular people, especially in parts of northern and western Europe, and Egypt. Even though beer was everywhere and easy to get, it was seen as less valuable than wine.
In some places, especially among the rich, wine replaced beer over time.
Brewer Groups and Public Brewing Places
Brewers joined together in groups in places like Egypt and along the Roman frontiers. These groups helped manage the beer business and possibly set some rules for brewing and selling.
Some large Roman homes in the Rhineland had their own breweries. Retired soldiers and locals often became brewers, supplying beer for forts and towns.
Even with these groups and breweries, beer did not gain respect among the Roman elite. The drink stayed popular with everyday people but was often looked down upon in higher society.
Beer’s Fading Popularity and Survival in the Roman Era
Shifting Preferences: From Beer to Wine
The Greek and Roman elites saw beer as a rough drink, best suited for uncivilized people. They preferred wine, describing it as more refined and pleasant. Wine became the standard drink in places where grapes grew well, like Italy and Greece.
Table: Comparison of Beer and Wine in Roman Society
| Aspect | Beer | Wine |
|---|---|---|
| Reputation | Seen as crude or barbaric | Seen as sophisticated |
| Price | Very cheap | More expensive |
| Common Areas | Gaul, Britain, Egypt | Italy, Southern Gaul, Greece |
| Ingredients | Mainly barley, no hops | Grapes |
Changes in Gaul and Egypt
Beer was popular in Gaul (now France) and Egypt. In Gaul, even after Roman rule began, people brewed beer and drank it at feasts and gatherings. Cups and horns used for beer from that time still exist today.
In Egypt, beer was the drink of choice for every class of people. It showed up on tomb walls and in daily life. But over time, cheap wine started replacing beer, especially by the fourth century. Egyptian beer never faded away completely, but its role shrank as wine spread.
List: Examples of Beer Use in the Roman Empire
- Gaulish brewers used giant animal horns and clay cups.
- In Egypt, beer had special types like “beer of eternity.”
- Roman troops in Britain encouraged beer-making near forts.
Beer’s Life After Rome: Influence of Germanic Peoples
As the Roman Empire declined in the West, new groups moved in, bringing their own love of beer. The Germanic tribes helped beer gain social respect, since they drank it widely and proudly.
Breweries appeared near Roman villas and on the borders, and associations of brewers are recorded from the time. Some Roman writers even began to say that beer tasted good and was healthy. Even after the fall of Rome, beer-drinking didn’t disappear—it survived and spread, thanks in part to the habits of the incoming Germanic peoples.
