This month hold the feast day of St. Arnold of Metz, who urged the villagers to drink beer instead of water. That story has always intrigued me, because it illustrates so well the tangled past of beer. It is only relatively recently that beer has begun being seen as a dangerous substance, regulated by outdated laws. (Florida breweries were just recently allowed to fill 64 oz. growlers, if you want to buy a beer at a Georgia brewery, you have to take a brewery tour first.)
Current laws are changing, though, and brewers are once again being seen as the artists they are. With that in mind, as well as the good works of St. Arnold of Metz, I decided to highlight some of deities that we have created to honor beer and its brewers. The sheer number and range of some of them serves to prove how long beer has been deemed worthy of sharing as well as celebrating. And, as an added bonus, most deities also come with a few handy feast days to encourage said celebrations …
(A huge thanks to Jay R. Brooks and the Brookston Beer Bulletin, who had already compiled a large list of gods, goddesses and other deities, complete with holiday dates for each one.)
Dionysus
Greece – Dionysus
Many people are already familiar with this Greek god of intoxication and wine, and he has a bit of a bad reputation for drunkenness. But he is also the god of the arts and the unexpected, as a symbol of the dual nature of intoxication. Most Greek plays were written to be performed at the annual feast of Dionysus, which was held in the spring as the first leaves were beginning to show.
Germany – Minne
Minne is the German goddess of protection, love and unity, symbolized by the linden tree, cups, and beer. During celebrations, lovers wishing to proclaim their devotion would drink together from a cup of specially prepared beer made in honor of the goddess. Today, people in Geisenheim, Germany celebrate Lindenfest during the second week in July, and lovers still drink together from a cup of beer to proclaim their love.
Africa – Mbaba Mwana Waresa
Mbaba Mwana Waresa
The Zulu goddess of agriculture, Mbaba Mwana Waresa is credited with the creation of the first beer. According to legend, she taught the Zulu people to how to brew, and is considered one of the most beloved goddesses in Southern Africa. She is also the goddess of rain, and the rainbow can be seen by some as a sign from the goddess that the drinking should commence.
Japan – Kamuy Fuchi
The Japanese goddess of the heart, Kamay Fuchi protects the home and also presides over beer brewing. The first taste of the new brew was traditionally poured into the hearth as an offering, in an effort to keep the bad spirits at bay. Interestingly, brewers would often chew mugwort while brewing. Mugwort, a common ingredient in gruit, has mildly stimulating and psychoactive properties when ingested.
Mati-Syra-Zemlya
Slavic – Mati-Syra-Zemyla
Mati-Syra-Zemyla was believed to be the goddess of soil and oil (her name translates to “Damp Mother Earth”), and she is one of the most ancient of the Eastern European deities. Mati-Syra-Zemyla can appear as a hole in the ground, upon which she should be honored by pouring beer and bread into the hole.
Fit for the Gods!
There are, of course, dozens of other deities assigned to protect and honor brewers, though it seems like many of them are just looking for a free drink of beer. But more than an interesting look into our beery myths, these deities are an example of how long beer and brewing has been honored, and even deemed a necessity. Now, if only our lawmakers could appreciate the same thing!
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