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Friday, November 18, 2016

THE BREWSPAPER / MESOPOTAMIAN BEER BUZZ



The ancient city states of Mesopotamia were long considered the cradle of civilization.  This is where wheat and barley were domesticated and where the first barley beers were made.

Archaeologists have always puzzled over why hunter-gatherers started planting and harvesting tiny grains—it’s a lot of work.  In fertile areas like Mesopotamia (land between the Tigress and Euphrates rivers), farming was a lot more work than hunting and gathering.

Upper row shows long straws were used to drink beer from a large jar.  Penn Museum.
Over a couple of brews, modern archaeologists have a theory.  Beer may well be the answer.  Its intoxicating properties gave it a much higher value than just the calories alone.  Plus, it’s really hot and dry in Mesopotamia.  And, ancient partygoers soon realized the guy that brought the beer became legendary with the ladies.  PC research is still out on this.

But, one thing is true as the work of today’s craft brewers and home brewers suggests, people are willing to put in a little more work for a great beer.

We hold these truths to be semi-evident.  Also, there is a lot of ancient graffiti, which has survived the ages.   {NOTE: image to the left may or may not be in the San Diego Museum of Man beer expo. Most of the more erotic carvings involve women in various poses all sipping on long straws of beer.  Again, we’re running that through PC research at the moment. 

However, to learn true stuff about the roots of beer in the ancient world, San Diego Museum of Man’s current “Beerology” exhibit offers other intriguing beer centric stories, including ancient artifacts that reveal the links between beer and culture.

Craft beer has roots.  It reflects the foundations of civilization.

“Beerology,” The Exhibit is linked with occasional live beer pairings at the venerable Balboa Park museum (under the California Tower).   For info and beer tasting dates check in at http://www.museumofman.org/exhibits/beerology/

“Beerology” at the San Diego Museum of Man closes in February, 2017.




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