The Legends of Beer

When we think of legends, we imagine kings, ancient gods, or folk heroes… Rarely beer. And yet, behind its bubbles and foam lie fascinating stories: from Sumerian deities to Trappist monks, visionary brewers to modern rebels, and even a few Valais institutions. Here’s a journey through the legends of beer.

At the origins: Ninkasi, goddess of beer

Over 4,000 years ago, the Sumerians in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) worshipped Ninkasi, goddess of beer. They even dedicated a hymn to her, inscribed on a clay tablet. This hymn was not only a prayer but also a recipe – the very first beer recipe known to humanity.
For the Sumerians, brewing was not just about drink. It was a sacred act, a dialogue with the gods. Imagine priests chanting the hymn while transforming barley, water, and honey into a divine beverage.

Gambrinus, the jovial king of beer

In medieval Europe, beer took on lighter, more cheerful legends. Enter Gambrinus, mythical king of beer. Was he Duke of Brabant? A lucky brewer? Nobody knows for sure.
What we do know: he is always depicted smiling, raising a tankard. Statues of him still stand in Belgian and German cities. Gambrinus became an early mascot – a universal symbol of good cheer.

Mythical beers: between rarity and ritual

Westvleteren 12

Perhaps the most legendary beer of all: Westvleteren 12, brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium. Frequently crowned “best beer in the world,” its legend thrives on rarity:

• Not available in supermarkets.

• To buy it, you must call the monastery, reserve, and respect strict limits.

• No advertising, only word of mouth.
  On some websites, it sells for 22.50 CHF per 33 cl – a liquid treasure demanding patience.

Guinness

On the other end of the spectrum: Guinness, world-famous yet equally legendary.

• In 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a lease for his Dublin brewery lasting… 9,000 years.

• To this day, pouring the perfect pint takes exactly 119.5 seconds.

• Its creamy head and black-and-white glass are iconic symbols of Ireland.
  Guinness is more than a beer: it’s a ritual, a performance, and a cultural symbol. Netflix even has a series in the works: “House of Guinness.”

Modern craft beer legends

Jack McAuliffe – the forgotten father of American craft beer

In the 1970s, America was dominated by bland industrial lagers. But Jack McAuliffe, a former Navy engineer, dared to challenge the system. In 1976, he founded New Albion Brewing Company in California with little more than repurposed dairy tanks, a garage, and passion.
His Pale Ales, Porters, and Stouts were revolutionary but too early for the market. New Albion closed in 1982, yet its influence is immense: Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada), Jim Koch (Samuel Adams), and many others call him their inspiration. Decades later, Samuel Adams rebrewed New Albion Ale in his honor. Today, McAuliffe is hailed as the father of American craft beer.

Ken Grossman and Sierra Nevada

In 1980, Ken Grossman launched Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in his garage. For years, he refined his recipe, discarding batch after batch until satisfied. The result: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, bursting with Cascade hops, which reshaped American beer forever. Today Sierra Nevada is a global craft icon and sustainability model – but it all began with a tinkerer who refused to compromise.

Pilsner Urquell – the beer that changed the world

In 1842, in Plzeň (Czechia), Bavarian brewer Josef Groll created something new: a clear, golden, brilliant beer – the pilsner. At a time when beer was dark and murky, this was a revelation. Today, over 70% of the world’s beer follows this style. Its name means “original source,” and indeed, all modern pilsners trace back to this invention.

Cantillon – guardian of lambic

Since 1900, Brussels’ Cantillon brewery has produced lambic through spontaneous fermentation, with airborne yeasts doing the work. The result: tart, complex beers aged in oak barrels. Cantillon held fast to tradition even when industrial beers ruled. Today it is a pilgrimage site for beer lovers worldwide.

Garrett Oliver, the gentleman storyteller

Brooklyn Brewery’s Garrett Oliver is both brewer and cultural ambassador. Author of The Oxford Companion to Beer, advocate of beer-and-food pairing, and always elegantly dressed, he elevated beer to the level of fine dining.

BrewDog, the punks of beer

Founded in 2007 in Scotland, BrewDog has built its legend on provocation: extreme beers, shocking marketing, and its “Equity for Punks” program, turning customers into shareholders. Loved and criticized in equal measure, BrewDog embodies the divisive nature of true legends.

Valais legends

Brasserie Valaisanne

Here in Valais, too, there are brewing myths. Brasserie Valaisanne, founded in 1865 in Sion, is one of the oldest still-active breweries in Switzerland.
Its stylized sun has become a true symbol. For many, the “Blonde 25” was the very first beer they drank – in a mountain hut, at a protest, or in the village bar. More than just a brand, it is a cultural landmark.

Amstein

And then there are the bearers of legends: Amstein. In 1973, Jacques Amstein returned from Belgium with a truck full of beer pallets. At the time, Switzerland’s choice was limited to industrial lagers. Thanks to him, enthusiasts discovered Belgian Trappists, lambics, IPAs… Amstein became the reference importer in French-speaking Switzerland, a living library of beers from all over the world.

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Conclusion

From Sumerian gods to Scottish rebels, Trappist monks to American pioneers, medieval mascots to Valais icons – beer has always been writing legends. Each pint shared, each recipe passed down, each spontaneous celebration is already a small piece of eternity.