Are you well versed in the beer tall tales? Do you bow down to the almighty beer gods of old? Put your knowledge of beer mythology to the test in this week’s Tuesday Beer Trivia quiz.
Beer was around long before humanity knew about yeast or even understood the process of fermentation, so it was left to myths and tales to explain the unexplainable: how is beer made? Throughout the human history, cultures around the world credited gods and other mythical figures as the creators of ancient elixers like beer and mead.
After you take the Beer Trivia quiz below, scroll down to “Beer Trivia Answer Explanations” section to learn more about beer mythology!
Beer Trivia Answer Explanations
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Question 1: It wasn’t until 1680 that yeast was first observed under a microscope, and it another century for the process of fermentation to be comprehended. Before that, it was wild yeast that was spontaneously fermenting beer, which understandably was perceived as magic since at the time there was no logical explanation. Despite the unawareness of yeast and fermentation, these ancient brewers could still see the visual signs of fermentation in the form of foam that brewers call krausen. The foam, and the transformation of a sugary liquid into fermented beer, was referred to as ‘godisgood,’ paying homage to a higher power that they assumed played a hand in fermentation.
Question 2: One of the oldest and most renowned of the beer gods is the Sumerian Goddess Ninkasi. First appearing in 4000 BC, Ninkasi is worshiped as the goddess of fertility and the mother of all creation including the growing of grain (barley being her emblem), brewing of beer, and the passion and seduction that may result from a beer-fueled Sumerian party. That being said, she is also accredited as a god of war.
Learn more about the goddess Ninkasi.
Question 3: In Slavic mythology, Radegast is an old god of hospitality who is depicted as a powerful, all-black figure. While he is also accredited as the god of war, night and fire, he is said to have created beer to help with his hospitable endeavors. After all, there is no friendlier gesture than sharing a beer with visitors.
Question 4: The jolly, almost Burger King-looking Gambrinus is never depicted far from an overflowing mug of ale, or a full barrel for that matter. Legend has it that King Gambrinus learned the art of brewing after trading his soul to the devil in hopes of forgetting his first lost love, and he shared the beer he made with his people.
Learn more about King Gambrinus.
Question 5: John Barleycorn is a British folksong where the main character, John Barleycorn, is a personification of the barley crop and the alcoholic drinks it’s used to make, like beer. The song covers the various stages of barley cultivation, like reaping and malting. The folksong has been adapted by modern musicians, like Traffic.
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