Beer Before Breakfast: Healthy Morning Drinking?

Drinking beer with breakfast is a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages in the UK and other parts of Europe. Beer was commonly consumed with breakfast and throughout the day, especially by workers in physically demanding jobs. The beer consumed during this time, known as small beer, typically had an alcohol content of less than 2.8%, which was not enough to cause intoxication. While some historians argue that beer was preferred over water due to sanitation concerns, others claim that water was readily accessible and consumed by most people. Instead, the high calorie content of small beer is suggested as the main reason for its popularity as a breakfast drink, providing energy and nourishment to sustain people through their long work days.

Beer was considered a healthy breakfast drink in the Middle Ages

There are several reasons why beer was considered healthy and consumed with breakfast. Firstly, water safety was a concern for some, and beer was seen as a safer alternative. While historians debate the prevalence of this belief, it is true that the fermentation process and alcohol content of beer did help to protect against contamination. Additionally, beer was packed with calories, providing a boost of energy for people with physically demanding jobs, which were common in the Middle Ages. The high-calorie content of beer also contributed to a sense of fullness and provided hydration. Beer was also easy to make, with just four main ingredients: water, grain, yeast, and hops. It was nourishing and provided good nutritional value, making it a substantial part of people's diets.

The consumption of beer with breakfast continued beyond the Middle Ages. In the 1970s, entire families in Gotland, Sweden, were reported to be drinking beer with their meals. Even today, it is still considered acceptable to drink beer with breakfast in certain places, such as Munich, Germany, and at airports where drinking culture varies due to the international crowd.

Beer was a source of energy for people with physically demanding jobs

Beer has been a source of energy for people with physically demanding jobs. In the past, beer was considered a healthy and nourishing drink, often consumed at breakfast. While it is a poor source of energy compared to carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, it is energy-dense and contains seven calories per gram.

Beer is produced by fermenting the sugars in starch or sugar-based crops such as grains, fruits, and vegetables. This process results in ethanol, which is then converted into energy-boosting acetate by the body. However, when consumed in excess, alcohol can lead to weight gain, increased blood pressure, and a higher risk of developing type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Historically, beer was consumed in the morning, especially alongside sports or other physical activities. In some cultures, such as medieval Europe, beer was preferred over water due to sanitation concerns. The fermentation process and low alcohol content of beer made it a safer option than contaminated water sources.

Today, while it may not be common to drink beer for breakfast, it is still acceptable in some places, such as Munich, Germany. However, it is important to practice healthy drinking habits and be mindful of alcohol intake from a health perspective.

Beer was drunk in the morning as a quick pick-me-up

One proposed reason for drinking beer in the morning was that it was seen as healthier than water due to fermentation, making it safer to consume. However, historians argue that fresh water was readily available during the Middle Ages, as most villages were built around good water sources, and people could distinguish between contaminated and clean water.

A more plausible explanation for the popularity of morning beer was its nutritional value. The beer provided a good amount of calories and energy, making it ideal for manual labour jobs such as farming, blacksmithing, and stonemasonry. It was consumed by all members of society, including men, women, and children, and was considered nourishing and a significant part of their daily diet.

The tradition of drinking beer with breakfast continued beyond the Middle Ages. In northern Europe, particularly in Belgium and England until the 1980s, it was not uncommon for breweries to provide free drinks to their workers in the morning, continuing the tradition of brewers enjoying a hearty brew to start their day.

Beer was considered nourishing and a staple of the medieval diet

Beer was considered a nourishing staple of the medieval diet. All classes commonly drank ale or beer, and it was consumed with practically every meal. Beer was seen as healthy and nourishing, and compared to water, it very likely was. Beer was also safer to drink than water, as the boiling step in brewing killed waterborne bacteria.

Beer was also an important source of calories for most people, with the diet of the period tending to be high-carbohydrate, and most of the budget and calories coming from cereals and alcohol. Beer was also considered to have medicinal qualities. In the 13th century, the Sienese physician Aldobrandino described beer as having various positive effects on the body, such as facilitating urination and making one's flesh white and smooth. However, he also listed several negative qualities of beer, including that it harmed the head and stomach, caused bad breath, and ruined the teeth.

In the late Middle Ages, beer was consumed daily by people of all social classes and age groups in England, the Low Countries, northern Germany, Poland, and Scandinavia. By the mid-15th century, barley—a cereal known to be poorly suited for bread-making but excellent for brewing—accounted for 27% of all cereal acreage in England. Beer was also an important part of the diet in monasteries, with each monk at Westminster Abbey in the late 15th century being given an allowance of 1 gallon (4.5 litres) of beer per day.

Beer was preferred over water as it was believed to be safer to drink

Drinking beer for breakfast has been a topic of discussion for a long time. While some people believe that it is acceptable to drink beer in the morning, others may find it unusual.

Historically, beer was often viewed as a healthier alternative to water. In medieval times, water was often polluted and contaminated with bacteria, making it unsafe to drink. As a result, beer became the preferred drink for many, including royalty. The brewing process, which involves boiling the water, was believed to remove harmful contaminants, making beer a safer option.

However, the idea that people primarily drank beer throughout the Middle Ages is not entirely accurate. Records from that time indicate that water was also commonly consumed. For example, Saint Gregory of Tours mentions a boy who primarily drank water due to his religious beliefs. Additionally, there are references to travellers and villagers requesting water.

While beer was considered safer and more nutritious than water, it was also more expensive. Homebrewing was an option, but purchasing beer usually involved taxes and transportation fees, making it a costly choice for many.

So, while beer was preferred over water due to safety concerns, water was still consumed by a significant portion of the population, especially those who could not afford beer.

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