Early historical records of brewing date back to
Sumeria around 1800 B.C.
Then, where it was referred to as
"kash", beer was rightfully
treated as a gift from the gods. Instead of the "
kash crop"
mentality exuded by modern
brewers, the laws of
Hammurabi declared that overcharging your customers
for beer was a
capital crime, punishable by drowning. Next time you're
in a bar at two in the morning, look in your wallet and ask yourself
"Are we really the great society, or am I living in the
Dark Ages?"
On a more religious note, the Sumerian brewing goddess was named "Ninkasi", whose
name translates as "you who fill my mouth so full". One notable piece of
literature recovered from this culture is the famous "Hymn to Ninkasi".
Contained therein is a recitation of unearthed brewing technique.
The Hymn to Ninkasi
Translation by Miguel Civil
Borne of the flowing water (...)
Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,
Borne of the flowing water (...)
Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,
Having founded your town by the sacred lake,
She finished its great walls for you,
Ninkasi, having founded your town by the sacred lake,
She finished its great walls for you
Your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,
Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake,
Ninkasi, Your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,
Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake.
You are the one who handles the dough, and with a big shovel,
Mixing in a pit, the bappir with sweet aromatics,
Ninkasi, You are the one who handles
the dough, and with a big shovel,
Mixing in a pit, the bappir with date-honey.
You are the one who bakes the bappir in the big oven,
Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,
Ninkasi, you are the one who bakes the bappir in the big oven,
Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,,
You are the one who waters the malt set on the ground,
The noble dogs keep away even the potentates,
Ninkasi, you are the one who waters the malt set on the ground,
The noble dogs keep away even the potentates.
You are the one who soaks the malt in a jar
The waves rise, the waves fall.
Ninkasi, you are the one who soaks the malt in a jar
The waves rise, the waves fall.
You are the one who spreads the cooked
mash on large reed mats,
Coolness overcomes.
Ninkasi, you are the one who spreads the cooked
mash on large reed mats,
Coolness overcomes.
You are the one who holds with both hands the great sweet wort,
Brewing it with honey and wine
(You the sweet wort to the vessel)
Ninkasi, (...)
(You the sweet wort to the vessel)
The filtering vat, which makes a pleasant sound,
You place appropriately on top of a large collector vat.
Ninkasi, the filtering vat, which makes a pleasant sound,
You place appropriately on top of a large collector vat.
When you pour out the filtered beer of the collector vat,
It is like the onrush of Tigris and Euphrates.
Ninkasi, you are the one who pours out the
filtered beer of the collector vat,
It is like the onrush of Tigris and Euphrates.