Cistercians and beer. Brewing beer in medieval monasteries and its reflection in written and material sources of Czech Cistercian monasteries
2023
Abstract
The brewing of beer has been associated with monasteries since the early Middle Ages, during which period it became a permitted beverage. Beer was commonly brewed in Czech Cistercian medieval monasteries and formed an important part of the diet of monks and other inhabitants.
Cistercians brewed beer not only in monasteries, but sometimes also on their farms. In the pre-Hussite period, it is likely that most of their production was for internal consumption, although from no later than the 16th century, beer became an important object of commerce.