Celtic beer mug, tree of life

The main ingredients of beer in the Middle Ages were malted barley, water, and yeast. Sometimes rosemary and thyme were added to prevent the beer from spoiling (action against mold and yeast) and to give it flavor. This beer was cloudy and contained a lot of protein and carbohydrates, which made it a very nutritious drink, which was consumed by both peasants and the nobility.

European monks refined the process and institutionalized the use of hops for its flavor and preservative properties.

Before learning about hops, northern Europeans used aromatic herbs and wild plants, achieving a lighter, short-lived beer that was not suitable for transport. In the 12th century, the German king John Primus, known as Gambrinus, fought famine in his domain through the cultivation of barley, which greatly boosted the manufacture of beer.

10 fun facts about beer

• Spain, where this non-alcoholic drink is most consumed in the European Union.
• Giste, that's what the beer foam is called.
• Belgium is the country with the most brands in the world.
• It has its own party: the Oktoberfest that is celebrated in Germany and has spread to other countries.
• They have invented ice cream with the flavor of this drink.
• It was made 5,000 years ago.
• It is a healthy food, because it has nutritious substances, as long as it is taken in moderation.
• There is an International Beer Day and it is celebrated on the first Friday of August each year.
• In the Weltenburg Monastery (Germany) is the oldest brewery in the world.
• Egyptian laborers charged beer for their work.