Brewing cultures in early modern towns : an introduction

Abstract

Since Antiquity, fermented drinks have played an important role in European culture. In eastern and northern areas, ale - and from the close of the Middle Ages hopped beer - formed part of people's diets, provided livelihoods for rural alewives as well as urban brewers and accompanied countless forms of social exchange. These drinks came in different varieties and strengths, were consumed in large quantities (especially during feasts and rites of passage) and the potential consequences exercised secular and ecclesiastical authorities in great measure