Alewives to Outcasts: The Untold History of Women and Beer

For thousands of years, women were the primary brewers of beer. In ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, beer was deeply tied to domestic life and spiritual rituals, both domains traditionally overseen by women. Brewing was considered a sacred and essential household task, and goddesses like Ninkasi, the Sumerian goddess of beer, were worshipped for their connection to this vital craft.

Throughout the Middle Ages in Europe, women known as “alewives” brewed beer in their homes and sold the surplus in local markets. These women were highly respected in their communities, often identified by tall hats (for visibility in crowded markets) and cauldrons the very image we now associate with witches. Their brewing skills contributed significantly to family incomes and local economies.

But by the 15th and 16th centuries, things began to shift. As brewing became more profitable, men began entering the industry in larger numbers. Laws and guilds, previously inaccessible to women, began favoring male brewers, and accusations of witchcraft were used to discredit and remove female competitors. The image of the alewife was vilified, morphing into the modern “witch” stereotype.

By the time brewing industrialized in the 18th and 19th centuries, it had become a male-dominated profession, and women’s contributions were largely erased from history.

Today, there is a growing movement to reclaim and honor this forgotten legacy. Female brewers are rising once again, not just to participate but to challenge the outdated gender norms in the industry. Organizations, festivals, and breweries led by women are helping to rewrite beer’s history, one brew at a time.

The story of beer isn’t just about fermentation and hops. It’s about power, gender, and reclaiming lost voices. Women were the original brewers. The question now is: how do we restore their rightful place in beer’s future?