Some 1500 years before hops were added as a flavoring and preservative, making beer was a pressing domestic matter, a foodstuff that needed to be made and drunk very quickly afterwards before it went bad. In central Europe, barley beer was concocted by Celtic people, using a fairly advanced malting process.
Iron and Gold Drinking Horn of the Celtic Chieftain at Hochdorf, on display at Kunst der Kelten, Historisches Museum Bern. Photo by Rosemania
Recently published studies from the 6th and 5th century BC Celtic sites of Roquepertuse in France and Hochdorf in Germany have illuminated some of the barley beer-making processes practiced by Iron Age people. Roquepertuse (best known for its cultic shrine) has evidence of production for a small household; Hochdorf (best known for its rich princely burial) has evidence of production on a mass scale. There is evidence at Hochdorf for a large feast when the prince-in-residence died: could the mass production of beer at Hochdorf be how the feast was catered?
- Iron Age Barley Beer
- Hochdorf (Germany)
- Roquepertuse (France)
- Guide to the Iron Age
Comments
The evidence for beer brewing found at the Hochdorf settlement can not be linked to the “Chieftain”, his death or his feasts. The Hochdorf settlement did not exist in the chieftain’s days (late 6th century BC), it dates to the late 5th/early 4th century BC. The actual “residence” of the chieftain has not (yet) been found.
Really! Thanks so much for your insight.