Beer-Guzzling Farmers: How Much Did They Drink Daily?

Alcohol has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with early farmers even inventing two ways to brew it. In the 19th century, a farmer-brewer would have brewed around 76 pints of beer a day, which equates to around three pints per male farm worker per day. In the Middle Ages, peasants drank far less beer, with ale being reserved for those who could afford it.

Beer was safer to drink than water

Drinking water was commonplace throughout history. However, the notion that water could carry diseases is a fairly modern one. Even the great sewers of Victorian London were originally designed to carry away the bad airs, which were thought to cause disease, not the polluted water itself.

People certainly understood that water could be good or bad, but this was limited to smell and flavour. Those who could afford it would pay for good clean water. For example, the construction of the Great Conduit in 1237 carried spring water from Tyburn to London, and on a larger scale, so did the New River, opened in 1613.

Medieval people were not stupid; they didn't drink water that looked or smelled bad. Tradesmen that used water, such as tanning, faced hefty fines if they polluted the town's drinking supply. Water was also free and clean. Whether from a well or fresh stream, it was the centerpiece of villages. In larger towns, there were even infrastructures to supply water to citizens.

However, water was not always safe to drink. Cholera, generally spread through contaminated drinking water, used to be a major killer. The 19th century alone saw six global cholera pandemics, each of which killed millions of people. The parasite Giardia lamblia can easily be caught from water even in remote unpopulated areas. Even modern waterworks are not entirely safe against this parasite. E. coli is a common cause of diarrhea and is quite common in private wells.

The list of common waterborne diseases is extensive, and a common factor aiding their spread is the lack of proper toilets for humans, lack of control over animal feces, and effluent from both seeping into human drinking water.

So, while people drank water, there was always an element of risk to it. Beer, on the other hand, was safer to drink. The brewing process involves heating the water to a sufficient temperature to kill off many harmful bacteria and microbes. While people in medieval times did not know about the existence of bacteria and microbes, they would have observed that drinking water made people sick more often.

Beer was also viewed as a more nutritious alternative to water. Even though it was weakly brewed from barley, it was a calorie-laden beverage that was perfect for workers and farmers who were thirsty and in need of energy.

In conclusion, while medieval people did drink water, beer was often a safer and more nutritious alternative.

Beer was a staple drink

In the 19th century, a farmer-brewer in Hertfordshire, England, brewed about 96 barrels of beer a year, which equates to just under 76 pints per day. With an average of 13 male farmworkers per farm in the region, this would mean about three pints per man per day. This was a substantial amount of beer, and some farmers even became commercial brewers due to the large quantities they produced.

The preference for beer over water has been attributed to various factors. One reason could be that beer was considered healthier, as water sources were often contaminated and could cause diseases such as cholera. Beer was also seen as more flavourful and preferable to the taste of water. Additionally, the process of brewing beer provided a way to preserve grains and consume them throughout the year.

The importance of beer in early farming cultures is highlighted by archaeological evidence from China. Early farmers in the region worked out how to turn millet and other cereals into alcoholic drinks using two distinct brewing techniques. This suggests that alcohol was highly valued, and its production may have even encouraged the spread of domesticated rice.

Beer was a sign of high social status

Drinking beer every day was common in the past, especially for those who could afford it. Beer was a luxury, and its consumption was a sign of high social status.

In Ancient Egypt, for example, beer was consumed by all social classes, but wine was reserved for the upper classes. The elite of Egyptian society justified their consumption of beer by producing, consuming, and exchanging a higher-status, elite beer in a manner reminiscent of wine. This elevated the status of beer to a level more befitting of their social rank.

In Denmark, beer drinking was associated with lower socioeconomic status, lower parental educational level, and lower IQ. In contrast, wine drinking was associated with higher socioeconomic status, higher parental educational level, and higher IQ.

In the 19th century, large households and farmers, such as the Lord of the Manor of Shephall, Samuel Unwin Heathcote, regularly consumed beer. In one year, Heathcote's household was supplied with 96 barrels of beer, amounting to just under 76 pints per day. With an average of 13 male farmworkers per farm in Hertfordshire in 1851, and Heathcote employing about 26 workers, this meant that each worker was allocated around three pints of beer per day.

Beer was also an important social aid for adolescents and young adults, often functioning as a rite of passage. It is often consumed at social events due to its ability to reduce inhibitions and make people more outgoing.

Beer was a desirable product

Secondly, beer provided calories and nutrition, which was important in a time when people struggled to get enough to eat. It also had a pleasant taste, which made it more appealing than water.

Thirdly, beer had a mind-altering effect due to its alcohol content. Alcohol was important for social and religious reasons and could help individuals gain high social status and form alliances. For example, large quantities of grain produced by farming could be stored and turned into beer all year round, making it a desirable product for feasts and special occasions.

Finally, beer was also an important source of income for farmers. Brewing and selling beer could add a significant amount to a farm's income, with some farmers even becoming commercial brewers. For example, Samuel Heathcote Unwin Heathcote, a 19th-century farmer-brewer in Hertfordshire, England, brewed enough beer to supply his servants, farm workers, and family, with a substantial amount left over to sell.

Beer was a daily drink

In the 19th century, a farmer-brewer in Hertfordshire, England, brewed about 76 pints of beer per day for his servants, farm workers, and family. This amount is equivalent to about three pints per day for each male farm worker, which was considered reasonable for the time. Beer was also a common drink for sailors, as evidenced by the Danish king, who established his own brewery in Copenhagen to ensure a steady supply of beer for his navy.

While beer was a daily drink for some, it's important to note that not everyone could afford to drink beer regularly. In Norway, for instance, farmers only brewed once or twice a year and drank a milky drink called "blaand" as their main beverage.

The preference for beer over water in the past may have been due to the unsafe drinking water, as cholera and other waterborne diseases were common. Beer, on the other hand, was considered safer due to the boiling and fermentation processes involved in its production. However, some people also preferred beer for its taste and nutritional value.

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