Medieval History
In the 15th century, when Europeans first began moving people and goods across the Atlantic, a microscopic stowaway somehow made its way to the caves and monasteries of Bavaria.
The stowaway, a yeast that may have been transported from a distant shore on a piece of wood or in the stomach of a fruit fly, was destined for great things. In the dank caves and monastery cellars where 15th century brewmeisters stored their product, the newly arrived yeast fused with a distant relative, the domesticated yeast used for millennia to make leavened bread and ferment wine and ale. The resulting hybrid ? representing a marriage of species as evolutionarily separated as humans and chickens ? would give us lager, the clear, cold-fermented beer first brewed by 15th century Bavarians and that today is among the most popular ? if not the most popular ? alcoholic beverage in the world.
Click here to read this article from Medievalists.net
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Medieval History
500 years ago, yeast?s epic journey gave rise to lager beer
In the 15th century, when Europeans first began moving people and goods across the Atlantic, a microscopic stowaway somehow made its way to the caves and monasteries of Bavaria.
The stowaway, a yeast that may have been transported from a distant shore on a piece of wood or in the stomach of a fruit fly, was destined for great things. In the dank caves and monastery cellars where 15th century brewmeisters stored their product, the newly arrived yeast fused with a distant relative, the domesticated yeast used for millennia to make leavened bread and ferment wine and ale. The resulting hybrid ? representing a marriage of species as evolutionarily separated as humans and chickens ? would give us lager, the clear, cold-fermented beer first brewed by 15th century Bavarians and that today is among the most popular ? if not the most popular ? alcoholic beverage in the world.
Click here to read this article from Medievalists.net
- Medieval Lingerie? Discovery In Austria Reveals What Really Was Worn Under Those Tunics
A recent discovery in an Austrian castle has revealed that bras existed back in the 15th century. It is among dozens of new textile artifacts that seem to have been preserved by a lucky accident, which will give historians a much better understanding...
- Sex, Beer And Politics: Riddles Reveal Life Of Ancient Mesopotamians
Millennia before modern-day Americans made fun of their politicians or cracked crude jokes over a cold one, people in ancient Mesopotamia were doing much the same thing. The evidence of sex, politics and beer-drinking comes from a newly translated tablet,...
- Researchers Look To Ancient Art To Study Mediterranean Fish
The dusky grouper has been a popular target for Mediterranean fishermen since prehistoric times ? their bones have been found in human settlements dating back more than 100,000 years. It?s a slow growing, flavourful and, with the advent of modern sport...
- Medieval Home With Extraordinary History Up For Sale
A medieval home with an extraordinary history has been put back on the market after being lovingly renovated and could be yours for just £1.3 million. The roots of Dame Annis house, which now stands at Burgh Heath Road in Epsom, dates back to the 15th...
- Uncovering Nottingham?s Hidden Medieval Sandstone Caves
The very latest laser technology combined with old fashioned pedal power is being used to provide a unique insight into the layout of Nottingham?s sandstone caves ? where the city?s renowned medieval ale was brewed and, where legend has it, the country?s...