Author Event: IN THE LAND OF NINKASI: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia

What makes beer so special? How did this beverage come into being, and why has it lasted so long and evolved into so many different forms?

In this event, archaeologist Tate Paulette will talk about his new book, IN THE LAND OF NINKASI: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia, which dives into beer’s fascinating origin story. Matthew Booker will introduce Paulette and lead discussion. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

We will also have some NC State beer for tasting courtesy of Sebastian Wolfrum, NC State Brewing Laboratory Manager. Inspired by an ancient approach to brewing, this beer was made from hops grown on the NC State campus.

Book Summary: 

IN THE LAND OF NINKASI goes beyond the page to bring history to life like never before. The book includes a thorough account of the author’s efforts to brew authentic Mesopotamian beer, as well as a user-friendly guide for amateur brewers to try their own hands at the process. Combined with the book’s vivid portrayals of Mesopotamian life, beer geeks and history buffs alike will gain a new appreciation of just how much we have in common with our ancient ancestors.  

About the Author:

Tate Paulette is an archaeologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of History at North Carolina State University. He has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Scotland, and the US, and he is currently co-directing an archaeological field project and field school at the site of Makounta-Voules-Mersinoudia in western Cyprus. He is editor of the forthcoming A Cultural History of Wine in Antiquity.