Ancient Egypt had at least 17 documented types of beer by 2400 B.C., including thick, sweet, dark, and date beers.
Ancient Egypt Had 17 Types of Beer 4,400 Years Ago
While modern craft beer enthusiasts pride themselves on variety, ancient Egyptians were experimenting with beer diversity more than 4,400 years ago. The Pyramid of Unas from Dynasty V documents at least 17 distinct types of beer, each with unique characteristics and brewing methods.
These weren't minor variations. Ancient Egyptian brewers created thick, milkshake-like beers alongside lighter varieties. They made sweet beers, dark beers, and strong beers. Some were salty, others flavored with dates. The earliest Egyptian texts, including the Pyramid Texts, enumerate beers with evocative names like "iron beer," "garnished beer," "friend's beer," and even "beer of eternity."
A Brewing Powerhouse
Beer wasn't a luxury in ancient Egypt—it was fundamental to daily life. Workers building the pyramids received beer rations as part of their wages. It was safer than water, more nutritious than bread alone, and central to religious offerings.
The sophistication of Egyptian brewing shows in the ingredients. They used emmer wheat and two varieties of barley (6-row and 2-row). By varying grains, fermentation times, and additives like dates or herbs, brewers created distinct flavor profiles that would make modern craft brewers envious.
Standardized Since 2500 B.C.
From the 5th dynasty onward, offering lists used the hieroglyph hnq.t as the standard determinant for "beer." Specific varieties appear in tomb inscriptions: hnq.t-dsr.t, hnq.t-hnms, hnq.t-šhp.t, and hnq.t-ssr. The sheer number of beverages named on Old Kingdom gravestones is astonishing—suggesting beer culture was deeply woven into Egyptian identity.
Based on residues in ancient pots, amber and mahogany beers were most common, though blood-red varieties were particularly favored. The most popular Egyptian beers had higher alcohol content than many modern brews, according to archaeological analysis.
So the next time you're overwhelmed by a craft beer menu, remember: the ancient Egyptians were there first, offering 17 choices in an era when most of the world was still figuring out basic agriculture.