Torch Brewery Istanbul

While it is thought the Chinese sipped the first beer in 7000 BC, Mesopotamia is where craft beer got its roots. The ancient Sumerians viewed their brew as a daily necessity and considered it a gift from the gods to promote joy and health. The unresolved argument remains today…what came first, the beer or the bread?
Brewers were typically female and highly regarded in early Mesopotamia. In fact, Ninkasi, goddess of beer, was not only the beer itself, she was also the boss brewer of the gods. Her responsibility was to supply the good drink to the temples and sacred sites. Her recipe evolved into medicinal potions, religious sacrifices, and a nutritious dietary staple for all classes of society.

Author: Dirk Jahn