Beer in the Bible
We know that beer is as old as civilization and, according to some, is responsible for getting people to live together in one place and everything that follows from that. Chemical analysis of finds in Egyptian archaeological sites has allowed modern brewers to make something very close to what those ancient people were drinking in biblical times.
Wine and water get plenty of mention in the Bible, but were those ancient Israelites partaking in some fermented grain? Lutheran Paster Walter Snyder thinks so. He responds to this question
I saw an article talking about the invention of beer in ancient Egypt, and it got me thinking: “Did the Israelites drink beer? What did they drink?”
by discussing quotes from Martin Luther mentioning beer, to an analysis of some Bible passages. Beer doesn’t appear to be mentioned explicitly in the Bible, but references to “strong drink” almost certainly refer to an ale-like beverage. (Distillation is a bit too modern.) He could concludes that, yes, the Israelites did drink beer.
Then there’s HE’BREW beer from Schmaltz Brewing. Among their offerings is Genesis 10:10, which is made from pomegranates, which also get a mention in the Bible. Specifically, in Deuteronomy 8:8, where Moses says:
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and springs and fountains issuing from plain and hill; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey…”
Of course, most of us already know that beer is a gift from God.
(via Katie’s Beer)
