An earlier version of this post appeared in the Leviathan Jewish Journal, December 2015. The Magen David, or the Jewish star, used to be known as something else: The “brewer’s star.” As early as the 14th century, the six-pointed star was stamped on the bottom of beer barrels by the European brewers’ guild. Its purpose…
For those on your gift list who appreciate exotic beers, it doesn’t get much better than a set of Shmaltz Brewing Company’s Hanukkah 2016 seasonal brews: Jewbelation 20 (Dark American Strong Ale, 16.8% ABV), Genesis 20:20 (Barrel-Aged Tart Barleywine, 16.7% ABV) and Chanukah, Hanukkah…Pass the Beer (Golden Strong Ale with Cocoa Nibs, 8% ABV). Then…
When the Museum of Jewish Montreal stumbled across a handwritten beer recipe from the 1790s, they quickly realized they had uncovered a precious slice of Canadian Jewish history. But little did they know that a few months later, Montrealers would be able to sample the historic brew — and it would sell out to rave…
Taybeh, a Christian village in the West Bank, celebrated its 11th Oktoberfest on the September 24 and 25. The event, which draws thousands of Palestinians and foreigners every year, is a unique occurrence in the Palestinian Territories, where most Muslims eschew alcohol. Here’s a primer on the West Bank beer festival: The festival is sponsored…
Shmaltz Brewing is boldly going where no beer has gone before. The brewery’s celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original Star Trek with two limited-edition ales, Golden Anniversary Ale: The Trouble With Tribbles and Golden Anniversary Ale: Voyage To The Northeast Quadrant. Your local Trekkie can explain both titles, which are based on iconic Star…
— SodaStream, the Israeli company that brought homemade carbonated drinks to kitchens around the world, is making a bid to conquer the home pub with the introduction of Beer Bar, its first homemade brew. The company announced the addition in a news release Monday, spurring share prices to soar, according to the Israeli financial publication Globes. Crafting a homemade…
A Jerusalem brewery has produced a craft beer with a taste it says dates back to the time of Jesus. A sip of the concoction may help explain why wine was the preferred sacred drink of the Bible. Herzl Brewery, Israel’s smallest, took wheat that Tel Aviv University geneticists say was the strain used for…
Biblical ethnobotanist Jon Greenberg (above) says that beer and wine both have a very significant background in Jewish tradition. It may not have quite the same drama as the crisis Queen Esther faced centuries ago, but for many of us, Purim raises a major conflict. Call it the battle of the booze. On the festival…
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