Ancient Ale: Oldest Beer in Greece Dates to Bronze Age

[Judi Lynn]

By Laura Geggel, Senior Writer | January 31, 2018 01:51pm ET

The ancient Greeks may have liberally indulged in wine, but that's not the only alcoholic beverage they imbibed, according to a new study that describes the discovery of two potential Bronze Age breweries.

The "stout" discoveries mark what may be the oldest beer-making facilities in Greece and upend the notion that the region's ancient go-to drink was only wine, the researchers said.

"It is an unexpected find for Greece, because until now all evidence pointed to wine," study researcher Tania Valamoti, an associate professor of archaeology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece, told Live Science. [Raise Your Glass: 10 Intoxicating Beer Facts]

The finding hints that prehistoric Greeks were "using alcoholic drinks for feasts all year-round, instead of just on a seasonal basis," when grapes were ripe, Brian Hayden, a professor of archaeology at Simon Fraser University, in British Columbia, Canada, who wasn't involved with the study, told Live Science.

More:
https://www.livescience.com/61590-oldest-beer-in-greece.html?utm_source=notification

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. It's been in the back of the refrigerator since then?

I can relate. Let me tell you about this slice of ham I found in the back of mine the other day. I mean, it could have been a slice of ham. Or maybe it was some oatmeal. It's hard to tell.

[gay texan]

2. it would be cool if they could salvage the yeast strain

and try brewing with it again.