Brewers and brewing spaces

Abstract

Abstract The chapter “Brewers and Brewing Spaces” introduces the brewers of ancient Mesopotamia and the spaces where they brewed their beer. It begins with a visit to two breweries excavated in the ancient cities of Girsu and Lagash. The chapter then explores three brewing locales: brewery, tavern, and home. The discussion of breweries begins with the written evidence for brewers and breweries, before turning to the archaeological remains of several possible breweries uncovered. The discussion of taverns begins with the archaeological evidence for taverns and then returns to the Epic of Gilgamesh and Shiduri, tavern keeper at the edge of the world. A look at naditu priestesses and the tavern business then leads into a broader consideration of the written evidence for tavern keepers. The discussion of homebrewing begins with a series of letters that reference brewing in the home and then turns to the archaeological evidence for homebrewing.