How Much Booze Did Medieval People Really Drink?

Join Dr Eleanor Janega in this full length History Hit TV documentary as she gets to the bottom of medieval booze and drinking habits. How much alcohol did people in the Middle Ages really drink? What were they drinking? And where were they drinking it?

Alcohol was an essential part of medieval life. In one of London’s oldest pubs, Ye Old Mitre, Eleanor discovers the origins of the humble pub with beer expert Pete Brown, and dispels the many myths surrounding the drinking habits of the people who drank here centuries ago

We then stumble over to London’s East End, where Wild Card Brewery’s head brewer Janega Wise has crafted a special tipple using the same ingredients and techniques the average medieval brewer would have had at their disposal. Does it taste as good today as it did 500 years ago?

Our ancient pub crawl ends in King Henry VIII’s vast wine cellar with Hampton Court’s Historic Kitchen Manager, Richard Fitch. We learn about the royals' unquenchable drinking habits, fanciful wine fountains and how important booze was for demonstrating wealth to your enemies.

And remember, as YouTube subscribers, you can sign up to History Hit TV today with code YOUTUBE and enjoy 50% off your first 3 months!

#historyhit #medieval #beer

[HistoryHit]

We absolutely love an authentic medieval pub. Which is the best one you've been to? 🤔

[keithgraber]

Ha! at 6:25 when they talked about punishment for bad ale, a Budweiser ad immediately kicked in.

[TheKamikazenaz]

Dr Janega's approach to history from the view of the commoner really strikes a modern chord. She constantly returns to "..but what was it like?" These are works that will be appreciated, added to, and debated over for years to come. The format is very engaging; the speakers are intelligent and passionate. Big kudos to all in front of and behind this, and we demand more!

[justinmichael]

Can this be a series? Just Dr Janega chatting about the history of pubs all over the UK while having a pint. That would be brilliant.

[tobiasmccallum]

The brewer is an absolute badass. Intelligent, funny and beautiful. And brews beer for a living? Respect

[Zoe_KH]

I have no idea how I’m only discovering this channel today. Wha a programme! I genuinely forgot I wasn’t watching a history show on BBC2, exceptional production values and the content is FANTASTIC. Love to see two inspirational women having such in depth and fascinating conversations on a television show…much much much more of this please **SUBSCRIBED**

[harsimaja]

'Folk etymology' red flags went off with the 'down a peg or two' and I immediately paused and checked - apparently it's very uncertain where it came from. But when I pressed play he admitted as much, and I respected him a lot more. The distinction between someone with an axe to grind and someone who really has a serious openness to facts and complexity in history :)

[Adrienne]

I love watching Dr Eleanor videos. Her enthusiasm for and knowledge of history is inspiring!

[p_campbell]

Who else is drinking while watching this video.? 🤠

[SaidAlSeveres]

Dr. Eleanor is my favorite!!!! She has so much style and wit and clearly the brains. Such a great series. I love History Hit.

[YassinePineapple]

The brewmaster was phenomenal. Its always intriguing to see an expert talk with such interest about their craft and the history of it. As the grandson of an austrian brewmaster i appreciate it very much

[Dwynfal]

I do wish medieval herb-flavoured ale was available commercially now! I would love to sample what modern brewers would come up with. ❤

[xcalabur]

Eleanor is a treasure. Could listen to her all day.

[GrtBlueHeron]

Yeah! More Eleanor!!! I just happened to be rewatching her historical movie videos and this popped up. So excited, she makes medieval history so much fun!

[shelleybaptie]

What I've enjoyed the most is how Dr. Janega is so excited and enthusiastic about what she is telling us. Far too many Historian present their material in a tone that often puts me to sleep. Not with Dr. Janega! Thank you!

[Tokyofreelance]

This was brilliant. Like someone else said in the comments, it just popped up as a recommendation from nowhere, but has been the most interesting thing I've seen on YouTube for ages.

[drawkicks]

This just randomly played for me but it was honestly one of the most interesting history videos I've watched in years on YouTube! Great job guys!

[francispower]

A friend of mine who worked for Sport England many years ago would regularly work alongside another gentleman who was the Chief Chaplain of Her Majesty’s Prisons. He was often asked to say grace at formal dinners, which became something of a chore, and so he always used the same form of words for convenience. “Lord Divine, who turned the water into wine, please forgive those foolish men, who tried to turn it back again”.

[mpersad]

The beer brewed by Jaega Wise, the head brewer at Wild Card, looked delicious and what an interesting interview. More please!

[dianesterns]

One of my best memories was traveling all over England and Scotland with my mother and sister. It was early January so quite brisk. We would walk and enjoy/immerse ourselves in the beautiful architecture, and amazing historical sites. However we would have to pop into a pub to warm up between each activity and sample whiskeys and ales to fortify ourselves. I was actually fine as I lived in New York at the time. However my family is from Texas. They were ice cubes. We hit a LOT of pubs. lol