Ancient Egyptian Brewer's Tomb Found

Rambo Tribble writes "Reminding us of beer's pivotal role in the civilization of humankind, the BBC comments on the discovery of an Ancient Egyptian tomb, belonging to the distinguished 'head of beer production' in the Pharaoh's court. From the article: 'Experts say the tomb's wall paintings are well preserved and depict daily life as well as religious rituals. Antiquities Minister Mohamed Ibrahim told the Egyptian al-Ahram newspaper that security had been tightened around the tomb until excavation works are complete.'"

Comments

Re:That Explains the Peace in Egypt

[gcore]

Please take into account that the beer made hundreds or thousands of years ago had very little alcohol. Things like enzymes, temperature rests, fermentable extract, FAN and sanitation was unheard of. Beer wasn't usually being drunk to get drunk. Beer was a more healthy alternative to water, since it contains a number of nutrients and energy, and also being harmless to drink since no known bacteria that's harmful to man can survive in beer.

Re:That Explains the Peace in Egypt

[HornWumpus]

Just wrong. Beer can go bad. The bacteria is killed when you boil the wort. Crack a bottle and let it sit out for a week, then report back.

Not enough alcohol in beer to make it an effective antiseptic. But enough alcohol in beer to get people drunk, even in ancient days.

Don't buy the neoprohibitionist narrative.

Re:Any yeast found ?

[Ellis D. Tripp]

I agree. They knew that the bread was a necessary part of the process, so it was added.

They had no idea that the only part of the bread that was needed was a microscopic one-celled organism that also caused the bread to rise in the first place.

Would likely be explained as the "spirit of the bread" causing the brew to become beer, or similar pre-scientific explanation.