by Madison Plucknett
Recommended Beer Pairing for this Read: Castlewood Black IPA
At West Sixth Brewing, we’re passionate about crafting great beer, right here in Lexington, Kentucky, and sharing it with folks around the state!
To us, beer is more than a beverage - it’s a drink that’s brings folks together and is deeply rooted in history and tradition.
With Spooky Season in full swing, I started looking more into the spookier side of beer - starting first with the theory that our depiction of Modern Witches - broomstick, hat, black cat, long black dress - came from some of the first brewers. This deep dive resulted in finding out a number of fascinating (if not always spooky) facts about the industry, the history, and even some examples of downright weird beer-experiments gone wrong (or right, depending on who you ask). Naturally, as a beer lover and History Buff, I couldn’t resist the urge to share what I found with all y’all!
Read on to learn more about the history of that beer we all love drinkin’ - -
FASCINATING: Have you met Ninkasi?
In Ancient Mesopotamia, beer was considered a gift from the gods and a crucial part of their spiritual practices. The Sumerians, one of the earliest civilizations in this region, even had a goddess of beer named Ninkasi. They believed that beer held magical properties, capable of bridging the gap between the human and divine realms. Beer was often used in religious rituals and offerings, symbolizing gratitude and devotion to their deities. It was also believed to possess healing properties and was used as a tonic to cure various ailments. This reverence for beer set the stage for its role in cultures worldwide as a beverage that binds communities together, much like its place in modern society today.
Ninkasi’s name, quite literally translates to “Mistress of Beer”, and the Mesopotamian Goddess was directly linked to brewing, and considered the personification of beer itself. In fact, due to most folks being illiterate back in the day, the way the recipe for beer was passed on generationally from master brewer to apprentice was with the Hymn to Ninkasi, which I have linked here for anyone who is interested.
FEARSOME: Watered down beer is a capitol offense!
The Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest sets of laws from ancient Babylon, had a strict stance on beer quality. It decreed that any bartender or brewer caught watering down beer would be sentenced to death by drowning. In a society where the water was unsafe to drink, and beer was used as currency, watering down the beer was tantamount to fraud.
Whether the crime was fraud or watery beer, the Babylonian punishment was cruel & unusual by modern standards. That being said, I’m with the Babylonians in the idea that watered-down beer is a crime. I don’t want anyone to die over it, obviously, but maybe the culprit should be forced to chug a pitcher of the beer they ruined…jkjk….or am i 👀
FASCINATING: Pretty and rich enough to Brew Beer?
In ancient Peru, brewing beer was an art reserved for a select few, and it was the women who held the keys to this craft. Only women of noble birth or those considered exceptionally beautiful were entrusted with the responsibility of brewing beer. These women were known as "Aqllakuna" or "Chosen Women," and they held a revered status in society, often living in special convent-like structures where they were trained in the arts of brewing and weaving.
The beer they brewed, known as chicha, played a crucial role in religious ceremonies, festivals, and even political events. Chicha was more than just a drink; it was a sacred beverage used to honor the gods and to solidify alliances between tribes. The act of brewing was considered a powerful ritual in itself, with these women at the center of it all, showcasing their skills and mastery of this ancient craft.
FASCINATING: Drink your bread, kids!
During Medieval Europe, Catholic monks took over the craft of brewing, and created what they famously called "liquid bread." Beer was a staple in their diets, especially during Lent when solid food was restricted. Monks believed that beer, with its rich, malty flavors and hearty consistency, could provide the sustenance they needed to endure their fasts. They developed brewing techniques that not only improved the taste but also increased the nutritional value of the beer, making it a critical source of calories and nutrients. Monastic breweries became centers of innovation, with monks experimenting with different ingredients and methods to produce higher quality brews. Their influence was so profound that many modern beer styles, such as the Belgian Trappist ales, can be traced back to these monastic traditions.
Kinda make ya wanna shave that fun monk bald spot and sip on some Rainbo Bread…I mean…West Sixth beer!!
FEARSOME-NATING: If Beer Could Kill…
Brewmeister's "Snake Venom" holds the title of the world's strongest beer with a jaw-dropping ABV of 67.5%. This beer pushes the boundaries of brewing science, using a process called freeze distillation to concentrate the alcohol content to unprecedented levels. While not for the faint-hearted, Snake Venom is a testament to the innovative spirit of modern brewers who continuously challenge the norms and create extreme versions of traditional beer. It highlights the diversity in brewing techniques and how the craft beer industry thrives on experimentation and pushing limits.
At West Sixth, we also love experimenting — we have a whole system dedicated to it at West Sixth NuLu - but 67.5%?! For comparison, our highest ABV brews (Snake Cake & Variants) clock in at 13%. Now…how do we beat that world record @production, I’m lookin at you 😆
FASCINATING: Heineken’s Sustainable Beer Bottles + West Sixth Cans
In the 1960s, Heineken created a revolutionary beer bottle design known as the WOBO (World Bottle), which could double as a building brick. This idea was the brainchild of Alfred Heineken, who wanted to address two problems: the abundance of discarded bottles and the need for affordable housing in developing countries. The bottles were designed to interlock like bricks, allowing people to build sturdy structures using recycled materials. Although the WOBO initiative never fully took off, it remains a significant moment in sustainable design history, influencing modern approaches to eco-friendly packaging in the beverage industry.
While you might not be able to build a house with West Sixth cans (though, we’ve never tried), this legacy of green packaging was not lost on us. Our aluminum cans are endlessly recyclable, making them better for the environment their counterparts. Not only is aluminum endlessly recyclable, but it’s also more likely to actually be recycled, and its light impermeable make-up means our beers don’t skunk! Plus, those paktechs can be recycled too, and we’ll gladly accept them in the taproom! Ok, ok, I digress - just, recycle pls!
FEARSOME, I guess: The Witches That Brewed
As a woman in beer, and a spooky season lover, this is my FAVORITE theory of all time - and one I spend a longer time on here . There's a fascinating theory that the modern image of witches—complete with pointed hats, cauldrons, and broomsticks—actually has its roots in medieval women brewers. During this time, women were the primary beer-makers, known as "alewives." They would wear tall, pointed hats in crowded markets to stand out and attract customers. Their cauldrons were used to brew large batches of beer, and they often placed broomsticks outside their doors to signal that fresh beer was available for sale. Over time, as the brewing industry became commercialized and male-dominated, these women were marginalized, and the imagery associated with them morphed into the sinister figure of the witch. This transformation serves as a reminder of how powerful women’s roles in brewing once were, how marginalized they became, and how women continue shaping the history of beer today.
So next time you sip on your favorite West Sixth brew, remember that you're not just enjoying a drink; you're participating in a tradition that dates back to ancient civilizations, magical rituals, and the pioneering women who brewed their way into history. Cheers to the rich, storied legacy of beer, and cheers to continued progress, innovation, and inclusion in our industry
