Beer Drinking In The Middle Ages: A Medieval Times Guide

It is a common misconception that people in the Middle Ages drank beer instead of water due to poor water quality. In reality, water was the most common drink during this period, with medieval texts noting its benefits and doctors prescribing it for various ailments. Beer and ale were also consumed, but in smaller quantities, and were often weaker than modern alcoholic beverages. Beer was also used to pay taxes and tithes.

Beer was commonly used to pay taxes and tithes

Beer was a staple drink in medieval times, and its importance was reflected in its use as a form of currency. Indeed, beer was commonly used to pay taxes and tithes during the Middle Ages. This practice can be traced back to ancient civilisations in Mesopotamia and Babylonia, where beer played a significant role in religion, commerce, and culture.

The use of beer as a form of currency continued into the Middle Ages, with goods and services being purchased and tariffs collected through the exchange of beer. For example, the 15th-century bishop of Tournai is depicted in historical records as receiving a tithe of beer from the tenants on his lands. Similarly, church documents from the Bavarian brewing centre of Freising, dating back to 815 AD, specified an annual payment of "one young wild boar, two hens, one goose, and one load of beer."

The practice of using beer to pay taxes was also observed in England, where tavern keepers were required to pay an annual licensing fee. If they failed to do so, they faced harsh punishments such as whipping and imprisonment.

The significance of beer in medieval society extended beyond its use as a form of currency. Beer was also viewed as a more nutritious alternative to water, which was often polluted and full of bacteria. However, beer was more costly to consume than water, as it had to be purchased unless it was home-brewed.

In conclusion, the use of beer as a means to pay taxes and tithes in medieval times underscores the importance of this beverage in the social, economic, and cultural life of the period.

Medieval beer was weaker than modern beer

The weak alcohol content of medieval beer was due to the brewing process at the time. Beer was made by mashing or steeping grain in hot water, producing a sugary liquid called wort. This wort was then rinsed, or sparged, multiple times with successively less sugar content in each running. The first runnings could produce beer with an alcohol content of up to 10% ABV or more, but the third runnings might only yield small beer with an alcohol content of 1-3% ABV.

Small beers were popular among laborers and farmers as a calorie-rich energy drink. They also had access to stronger drinks, but these were more costly. Beer was often preferred over water, not because of its alcohol content but because it was believed to be more nutritious and safer to drink. Water in the Middle Ages was not always polluted and inaccessible, as some sources suggest. In fact, there are records of clean water being available in most towns and villages, supplied by "masters of conduit" and water carriers.

However, beer was still widely consumed due to its nutritional benefits and the perception that it was healthier than water. Beer was made from barley and provided calories, making it a popular choice for workers who needed energy. Additionally, the process of making beer, which included boiling the water, was believed to kill off harmful bacteria, making it safer to drink than water.

In conclusion, medieval beer was significantly weaker than the beer we drink today. The alcohol content varied depending on the brewing process, but it rarely exceeded 10% ABV, and the most commonly consumed beers had an alcohol content of around 2-3% ABV. While beer was widely consumed, it was not because people were seeking intoxication but rather because it was considered a nutritious and safe alternative to water.

Water was free and clean

It is a common misconception that people in the Middle Ages drank beer instead of water. While it is true that beer was a popular beverage during this period, it is important to understand that water was also widely consumed and played a central role in medieval life. Indeed, water was free and clean, and it was accessible to people from all walks of life, from commoners to royalty.

Water was the centerpiece of villages, with many settlements strategically built near reliable water sources such as springs, rivers, lakes, and wells. In larger towns, there were even infrastructures in place to supply water to citizens. For example, in 1236, a system of pipes was constructed in London to transport water from a fresh spring to a pumping house, making clean water accessible at cisterns throughout the city.

Medieval people were discerning when it came to their drinking water. They avoided water that looked or smelled unpleasant and took measures to ensure its quality. Tradesmen who used water for their work, such as tanning, faced hefty fines if they polluted the town's drinking supply. Additionally, settling tanks were sometimes employed to improve water quality by allowing sediment to settle, resulting in cleaner water for consumption.

The availability of clean water had a significant impact on the daily lives of medieval people. Personal hygiene was important, and access to water sources facilitated practices such as regularly washing hands and face, especially before and after meals when cutlery was not commonly used. While full immersion baths were a luxury due to the effort and cost of heating large amounts of water, people often used basins or tubs for bathing, ensuring they kept themselves as clean as their circumstances permitted.

In conclusion, while beer may have been a preferred beverage for its nutritional value and social significance, water was free and clean during the Middle Ages. Medieval societies recognised the importance of water accessibility and implemented measures to ensure its availability and quality, contributing to the overall well-being and hygiene of the population.

Milk was drunk, but usually by younger people

It is a common misconception that people in the Middle Ages did not drink water. In fact, water was commonly consumed, and medieval people were aware that not all water was safe to drink. They knew to avoid water from marshy areas or places of standing water, but would happily drink from a clear well or a stream with transparent water.

However, water was relatively tasteless, and most people would have preferred to drink something more flavoursome if they could. Beer, ale, and wine were all popular alternatives to water, and milk was also available. While milk was drunk by people of all classes, it was usually reserved for younger people.

Milk was widely available to the Celts, Welsh, and English, as they were herders of sheep, goats, and cattle. This made milk a cheap, or even free, food for all classes of people, and an important source of protein.

For medieval people who could afford it, wine was the drink of choice. Wine was drunk all over France and the Mediterranean, where grapes were grown, and it was also imported into Britain by the wealthy. Beer and ale were also widely consumed, and beer was sometimes used to pay taxes and tithes.

Wine was imported from France and Italy for the wealthy

During the Middle Ages, wine was considered a luxury item, imported from France and Italy and reserved for the wealthy. While beer and ale were common drinks for all classes, wine was a symbol of prestige and wealth, often imported from renowned wine-producing regions.

The import of wine from France and Italy was a significant aspect of medieval trade. Despite the challenges of transportation over long distances, luxury goods such as wine were highly valued and worth the effort of importing. The development of international trade networks, including the Italian city-states of Venice, Pisa, and Genoa, facilitated the flow of wine and other luxury goods across Europe.

The wine trade was influenced by various factors, including the expansion of the Christian Church, which required sacramental wine, and the interests of royalty and the nobility. Charlemagne, the unifier of the Kingdom of the Franks, played a significant role in promoting the wine trade, with the Corton Charlemagne vineyard in Burgundy bearing witness to the Crown's interest. The famous vineyards of Beaune also gained high recognition in the medieval world, with their wines reaching a pinnacle of international prestige under the anti-pope Clement V in 1308.

The quality and reputation of wines were closely associated with monastic vineyards and the presence of monks, particularly the Benedictine and Cistercian orders. The closed walls encircling monastic estate vineyards became synonymous with quality and helped establish the prestige of certain wines. Additionally, the selection of grapevine varieties by these monks gave birth to renowned Central European varieties such as Spätburgunder, Riesling, Cabernet, and Traminer.

The import of wine from France and Italy was not without its challenges and restrictions. Following the fall of the Roman and Visigoth Empires, the new Islamic rulers introduced restrictions on wine trade, which had been flourishing in France and Germany. However, the Christian Church's need for sacramental wine played a crucial role in shaping the trade dynamics.

The consumption of wine during the Middle Ages was closely linked to social status. While the wealthy could afford imported wines, the everyday drinks for the poor consisted of ale, beer, and milk, which was typically reserved for younger people. The wealthy had access to a variety of meats, game, white bread, spices, and rich sauces, in addition to imported wines.

In conclusion, the import of wine from France and Italy during the Middle Ages was a significant aspect of trade, reserved for those with wealth and social status. The development of trade networks, the influence of the Church, and the interests of royalty all contributed to the flow of wine across Europe, making it a symbol of prestige and luxury during this period.

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