Germans' Historic Preference For Beer Over Water

It is a common misconception that people in the Middle Ages drank beer instead of water. In fact, water was widely available and consumed, and villages were built close to sources of fresh water. However, during this period, beer was also a staple drink, and it is true that in some places, drinking beer was safer than drinking water. This was due to the fact that water sources could become contaminated, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases. Beer, therefore, offered a safer alternative, and it was also seen as nutritious and a good source of calories.

Beer was considered healthier than water in the Middle Ages

It is a common misconception that beer was more popular than water in the Middle Ages. In reality, water was the most common beverage consumed by people of all social classes. However, beer was indeed considered healthier than water during this period.

Water sources during the Middle Ages included wells, springs, rivers, and rainwater. In urban areas, people often obtained water from communal wells, while those in rural areas relied on natural sources like streams and rivers. The quality of drinking water varied depending on location, social class, and access to resources. Contamination of water sources was a common issue, especially in densely populated areas, leading to the spread of diseases such as dysentery, cholera, and typhoid.

Beer, on the other hand, was considered a nutritious and safer alternative to water. The brewing process eliminated bacteria, making it less likely to be contaminated. It was also calorie-laden and provided energy to workers and farmers. Beer was also used to pay taxes and tithes and was part of the daily diet of both children and adults.

Hildegard of Bingen, an 11th-century Benedictine abbess and expert on illness and remedies, even recommended drinking beer as a way to stay healthy. Adults and children followed her advice, as water was often contaminated and unsafe to drink.

While beer was considered healthier than water, it was also more expensive. Unless home-brewed, beer incurred taxes and transportation fees, making it more costly than water, which was freely available from natural sources.

In conclusion, while beer was considered a healthier alternative to water in the Middle Ages, it did not replace water as the primary source of hydration for the majority of the population. People of all social classes consumed water regularly, and beer was reserved for additional nutritional and energy needs, especially for those engaged in hard labor.

Beer was used to pay taxes and tithes in the Middle Ages

It is true that beer was used to pay taxes and tithes in the Middle Ages. A 15th-century illustration depicts the bishop of Tournai receiving a tithe of beer from his tenants. In medieval Europe, the Catholic Church collected a tax called a tithe, which meant "one-tenth". People were expected to give the Church one-tenth of their income, which was stored in tithe barns. Those who did not pay the tithe faced excommunication, which was a serious punishment as it meant that nobody was allowed to talk to, sell to, or buy from the excommunicated person.

Beer was also used to pay workers in ancient times. Around 5000 years ago, workers in the city of Uruk (modern-day Iraq) were paid by their employers with beer. During the construction of the Great Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, each worker received a daily ration of four to five litres of beer. Beer was also used as a form of currency in other ancient civilisations, such as Mesopotamia, where the Code of Hammurabi included laws regulating the production and distribution of beer.

While beer was used as a form of payment in the Middle Ages, it is a myth that people drank beer instead of water during this period. In reality, water was plentiful and common, and medieval people understood the importance of drinking water from good sources. In larger towns, there were infrastructures to supply water to citizens, and in 1236, construction began on a system of pipes in London to provide fresh water to the city. Medieval people did not drink water that looked or smelled bad, and tradesmen faced hefty fines if they polluted the town's drinking supply.

However, beer was viewed as a more nutritious alternative to water. It was calorie-laden and provided energy for workers and farmers. Beer was also safer to drink than water, which was often contaminated and not safe for consumption until improvements in water technology during the Industrial Revolution.

Water was free and clean in the Middle Ages

It is a common misconception that beer was more popular than water in the Middle Ages. This myth stems from the belief that water was so polluted that people avoided it in favour of alcoholic drinks. However, this notion is inaccurate. Water was indeed free and clean during this period, and people regularly consumed it.

Villages were typically established near water sources, such as springs, rivers, lakes, and wells, which served as the primary water supply. In larger towns, infrastructures were developed to provide water to citizens. For example, London constructed "The Conduit" in the 13th century, a system of lead pipes that transported fresh water from a spring outside the city to the city centre, where people could access it freely.

Medieval people were conscious of the importance of drinking water from good sources. They avoided water that looked or smelled bad, and tradesmen who polluted the town's water supply faced fines. Medical texts and health manuals from the Middle Ages emphasised the benefits of drinking water, provided it was obtained from clean sources. For instance, Paul of Aegina, a 7th-century Byzantine physician, wrote, "of all things, water is of most use in every mode of regimen... [T]he best water is devoid of quality as regards taste and smell, is most pleasant to drink, and pure to the sight."

In addition to natural water sources, castles had their own water supply systems. They utilised masonry-lined wells in their interior courtyards, sometimes accessible from within the keep for added security during attacks. Some castles even featured systems of buckets and ropes that drew water from the well at every level of the keep.

While beer and wine were also consumed during the Middle Ages, water remained a central and essential part of people's diets. The notion that medieval people only drank beer or other alcoholic beverages is a myth that overlooks the significance of water during this historical period.

Beer was viewed as a nutritious alternative to water

The idea that beer was consumed more commonly than water during the Middle Ages is considered a myth by some historians. They argue that water was cheaper than beer, and villages were usually built close to sources of fresh water, such as rivers, springs, and wells. However, it is important to note that during this period, water supply systems were not always reliable, and water could become contaminated due to increasing population and lack of proper sewage systems.

The consumption of beer instead of water was also influenced by cultural and religious factors. Beer was commonly used to pay taxes and tithes, and it was considered a staple drink in many cultures. In ancient Mesopotamia, for example, clay tablets indicate that brewing was a well-respected occupation, and in some cases, it was the only profession that derived social sanction and divine protection from female deities.

Additionally, beer was believed to have medicinal properties. Ancient texts from various cultures, including Sumerian, Egyptian, Hebrew, and Indian, mention the medicinal use of alcohol. For example, the Hebrew Bible recommends giving alcoholic drinks to the dying or depressed to help them forget their misery. Similarly, in ancient Nubian culture, beer was used as an antibiotic medicine.

The production and consumption of beer also played a significant role in the daily lives of people during the Middle Ages. Brewing was considered a common household task, often orchestrated by women. Beer was consumed daily by all social classes, especially in the northern and eastern parts of Europe, where grape cultivation was difficult or impossible.

While the idea that beer was consumed more than water during this period may be a myth, it is clear that beer played a significant role in medieval society and was indeed viewed as a nutritious and safe alternative to water, especially when water sources were contaminated.

Beer was a calorie-laden beverage

It is a common misconception that beer was the primary drink of choice for people in the Middle Ages. While water was often contaminated and unsafe to drink, there is evidence that people in medieval times drank water from good sources. Texts from the time tout the benefits of drinking water, and water was free and readily available from wells and fresh streams.

However, beer was indeed viewed as a nutritious alternative to water. Even though it was weakly brewed from barley, beer was a calorie-laden beverage. It was also rich in calories and provided energy to workers and farmers. In the 19th century, factory owners encouraged their staff in mines and steel plants to drink beer to keep their energy up. Beer was also seen as a healthier alternative to schnapps, which was often overindulged in.

Compared to wine or spirits, beer tends to contain more calories. Alcoholic drinks can add 500 calories or more to your daily intake, and it is important to moderate consumption and stick to recommended healthy limits. Beer is made from fermented grain, and the calories come mainly from carbs and alcohol. Craft, seasonal, and high-alcohol beers tend to be higher in calories than lighter beers.

In summary, while beer was not the primary drink of choice in the Middle Ages, it was valued for its nutritional content, particularly its calories.

Frequently asked questions