I hope you have a great time welcoming in 2017—and that your illnesses are thoroughly dispelled!
Egypt can proudly lay claim to being the birthplace of beer. Excavations at Hierakonpolis (ancient Nekhen, just north of Edfu) have unearthed vats containing residues associated with beer production. They date to around 3500 B.C. (Although Iran isn't far behind at around a hundred years later).
Outside of dedicated festivals, however, overindulgence was frowned upon. A 19th Dynasty papyrus records the chastising given by the chief royal librarian, Ameneman, to his pupil, Pentaour:
“It has been told me that thou hast forsaken books, and devoted thyself to pleasure, that thou goest from tavern to tavern, smelling of beer.... If beer gets into a man, it overcomes thy mind; thou art like an oar started from its place, which is unmanageable every way....”
(One can only suppose that Pentaour also had some serious illnesses which needed dispelling.)
This photo shows the Brooklyn Brewery in New York, providing some sound advice for the health-conscious!
The current issue of Nile Magazine (Dec/Jan) tells the story of how beer built the pyramids (kind of), and how Brooklyn Brewery's founder, Steve Hindy, crossed paths with Kent Weeks, who provided the terrific hieroglyphic quote for the new brewery building.
Enjoy the full article in the current issue of Nile Magazine. Subscribe to the print or digital editions from the Subscribe page. Enjoy your Nile time!