Lecture: Producing and consuming beer in our past society

Did you know that in the Middle Ages, people drank up to two liters of beer a day? And that that beer looked completely different? No pilsner and a lower alcohol content! Emeritus professor Dr. Erik Aerts, economic historian, takes you to the Zuidelijke Nederlanden of the High Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. He talks about the brewing process, the raw materials used, the technology, and the alcohol strength of earlier beer types. The focus is on the Duchy of Brabant, with special attention to our region. You will discover how Aalst acquired the exclusive right to hops, how the area between Aalst, Asse, and Opwijk grew into the hop center, and what breweries looked like in cities such as Ninove and Aalst, as well as in the villages. You can combine the lecture with a visit to the traveling exhibition Santé, beer culture in Denderland . · When? Thursday, June 4 at 8:00 PM · Where? Raadszaal Bibliotheek Erpe-Mere (Oudenaardsesteenweg 458) · Register? Via jana@erfgoedceldenderland.be ,