As Christianity spread its tendrils across Europe it took brewing with it. Monks were avid brewers, on paper this was to help fulfill their calling of looking after travellers and pilgrims. Other than that, I’m fairly sure the monastic life style was pretty darned boring so a few jugs of ale of an evening (or morning) probably slipped down a treat.

This connection between Christianity and brewing is illuminated by the number of patron saints of brewing. The protectors of the fine art of beer production include Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Arnulf of Metz, Saint Luke the Evangelist, and Saint Nicholas (yeah, the guy that inspired the character of Father Christmas by giving out gifts to people, it turns out he was a booze hound too). Here’s a Russian painting of Saint Nicholas, I thought I’d pop it in as he looks ace:

Although the beer of yesteryear was made in a similar way (or at least with the same ingredients and chemical processes) back then it would have tasted and felt quite different. It was thicker, more of a gruel than a drink. Sumerians used to suck it through straws to avoid the bitter scummy residue left over from the brewing process. I would imagine that it tasted a fair way different from Carling, but I’m not sure it would have tasted any worse.

And so ends our brief foray into the ancient history of beer. Oooh I feel parched. I shall end with a quote from our good mate Plato who certainly knew his onions:

“He was a wise man who invented beer”.

☛ Next: Prohibition: America’s Ban On Booze = Worst Idea Ever