How Medieval People Enjoyed Their Beer Cold

Medieval beer was very different from the beer we know today. It was a calorie-laden beverage, often home-brewed, and drunk by all classes of society. However, it was not widely accessible, and most people drank water, which was free and clean. Medieval doctors even recommended water as a cure for ailments such as heartburn and kidney stones. While beer was popular, it was not the only drink of choice for medieval people.

Beer was viewed as a nutritious alternative to water

While water was the most common drink in medieval Europe, beer was viewed as a more nutritious alternative. Beer was calorie-laden and provided workers and farmers with the energy they needed. In addition, beer was safer to drink than water, which was often contaminated and spread diseases.

Beer was also a dietary staple, especially for the common man, as grain made up a substantial part of his diet, with meat being a rarity. Beer was also considered liquid bread. Heavier beers were used as bread substitutes. Beer was also drunk according to class and wealth. For the lower classes, beer was not a widely accessible, everyday drink.

In medieval Iceland, beer and mead were limited to ritualised drinking, reinforcing social obligations and certain forms of oaths. Beer was also drunk during celebrations. In addition, small beer, which was mildly alcoholic, was drunk as an everyday drink against thirst.

Beer was also used as medicine. For example, a type of beer in Austria was known for giving vitamin and mineral benefits to pregnant women. In addition, beer was flavoured with everything from the bark of fir trees to thyme and fresh eggs.

Beer was used to pay taxes and tithes

Beer was a common way to pay taxes and tithes in the Middle Ages. In the 15th century, the bishop of Tournai was depicted receiving a tithe of beer from his tenants. Beer was also used to pay taxes and tithes in ancient times, with records dating back to 815 AD specifying 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 and tithes continued into modern times. In the early 1900s, taxes on liquor, wine, and beer accounted for up to 40% of the government's income in the United States. Beer taxes were so crucial that many brewers and distillers did not take early Prohibition efforts seriously, assuming the government would never give up such a significant source of revenue.

The link between beer and taxes can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In Mesopotamia and Babylonia, beer played a significant role in religion, commerce, and culture, and it was even used as a form of currency. King Hammurabi of Babylonia recognised the importance of beer and issued a royal decree forbidding anyone from tampering with it.

Pharaohs in ancient Egypt instituted one of the first formal beer taxes to fund public works and curb drunkenness. Beer was considered so valuable that it was accepted as a way to pay taxes.

During the Middle Ages, the church played a significant role in beer taxation. Taxes on beer were levied in the form of licensing fees, targeting the production of Gruit, the mixture of herbs used by brewers before the introduction of hops. The church limited the availability of Gruit and only approved Gruit houses could supply the mixture to breweries, allowing them to profit from every barrel consumed.

In addition to licensing fees, the church also obtained beer through tithes. Tithes were compulsory taxes or contributions, often paid in agricultural produce or other goods. Church documents from the Bavarian brewing centre of Freising specified annual payments that included beer.

The use of beer as a form of currency and taxation was not limited to Europe. In Latin America, beer was integrated into cultural traditions, with religious leaders using it to prepare human sacrifices for their role before leading them to the altar.

Water was free and clean

In addition to being free, water was also clean due to the lack of rampant water pollutants. Medieval people lived in a pre-industrial time, so there were no massive factories, motorized vehicles, or power plants to cause global warming and keep temperatures low. In fact, medieval doctors were confident that people could generally find clean water, and medieval cities invested in extensive systems to bring water into their settlements. For example, in the 13th century, London created a system of lead pipes known as "The Conduit" to transmit drinking water into the city.

Water was also made clean through boiling. People would boil water to remove bad smells and impurities. In fact, brewing beer involved boiling water, which removed any contaminants and made it safer to drink than water. Beer was also often home-brewed, so it would have been more costly to drink than water.

While water was free and clean, beer was still consumed in medieval times. Beer was viewed as a more nutritious alternative to water, and it was a calorie-laden beverage that provided energy to workers and farmers. However, beer was not a widely accessible, everyday drink. It was enjoyed according to class and wealth, and it had to be purchased unless it was home-brewed.

Beer was a luxury in some places

In addition, beer was often consumed during celebrations and feasts, indicating that it was considered a special occasion drink. Beer was also used to pay taxes and tithes, further highlighting its value.

The process of brewing beer was time-consuming and required specific ingredients and equipment, which not everyone had access to. Beer was typically brewed in larger quantities, and it had a shorter shelf life compared to other drinks.

Furthermore, beer was a significant source of nutrition and calories, especially for workers and farmers. It was seen as a more nutritious alternative to water, providing energy and sustenance.

Overall, while beer was widely consumed in medieval times, it was still a luxury for some, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status or those living in certain regions with limited access to the necessary resources for brewing.

Beer was a common drink for all classes

Beer was an important dietary staple, particularly for the common man, as grain made up a substantial part of their diet, with meat being a rarity. Beer was also a calorie-laden beverage that provided energy for workers and farmers. It was also safer to drink than water, as the fermentation process killed harmful bacteria.

While beer was enjoyed by all classes, the type of beer consumed varied according to class and wealth. The upper classes drank heavier, more strongly brewed beers, while the common man drank "small beers" or "small ales", which were mildly alcoholic and could be consumed in large volumes without intoxication. These were often brewed at home and were ready in as little as half a week.

Beer was also used for medicinal purposes and was considered a safe drink for everyone, including pregnant women and children. In fact, medieval texts suggest that beer was sometimes preferred over water. Ælfric's Colloquy, a 10th-century educational text, says, "Ale if I have any, or water, if I have no ale."

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