Beer, much like pottery or jewelry, is a cultural craft that reflects the identity and values of a society. Unlike these lasting artifacts, beer is unique because it’s created to be consumed, yet it leaves behind a rich legacy in the form of brewing techniques, drinking traditions, and related objects like mugs, art, and storytelling. These elements make beer both a product and an “art” that evolves alongside the culture it represents. Studying the history of beer and its associated practices gives us a window into how societies grow, adapt, and express themselves over time.
Traditionally, African beers were brewed for significant rituals such as births, funerals, baptisms, and annual ceremonies.
Women’s work?
One such transformation can be observed in Africa, where women are redefining traditional beer brewing. Historically reserved for rituals, beer brewing is now evolving into small-scale businesses, empowering women to achieve self-reliance and financial independence. Beer brewing, with its low initial investment, has become a practical solution.
This shift parallels medieval Europe, where gender-based divisions of labor also influenced beer production. In England, for example, men were typically engaged in heavy labour like farming or fishing, while women managed the household. Tasks like brewing, baking, and gardening fell to women. When surplus beer was produced, “Alewives” would sell it to the community, sometimes turning this practice into a full-time livelihood.
Similarly, in modern Africa, brewing for profit has begun to replace the tradition of brewing beer solely for ceremonies. While this shift might compromise long-standing cultural practices, it provides women with a much-needed income source in the face of economic challenges.
The benefits for women
The commercialization of beer has significant benefits for women, particularly in redistributing income between genders. Since men are the primary consumers of beer, women’s earnings from brewing allow them to invest in their families’ well-being.
With the money earned, women can purchase nutritious foods like beans, dried fish, vegetables, nuts, and milk, enhancing their families’ diets. Studies comparing women who sell beer with those who do not show that beer sellers generally have better energy, protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin A intake, directly improving household nutrition.
Logistics of selling beer
Brewing beer is often a collaborative effort among women, which allows them to balance this work with other responsibilities.
The brewing process typically takes about 120 minutes and can be conducted close to home, allowing women to care for their children simultaneously. This cooperation and efficiency make beer brewing a viable livelihood for many African women.
- In a 1980s survey of 100,000 households in Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, women were highly active in food processing, retailing, and small-scale businesses, including beer production.
- In Nakwamoru, Kenya, 80% of women surveyed were involved in brewing or selling beer, often supporting each other through shared labour.
- In Tanzania, a quarter of surveyed women brewed beer up to four times per month.
Homemade Sorghum Beer is generally sold in one or two litre plastic bottles.
Material wise, most sacks of grain hold around 100kg. The mash tuns/brewing kettles are usually just an oil drum, which can either be rented or loaned, which typically gives 60 l of beer. For fuel, one survey showed that 25% of total wood consumed was solely for brewing beer. If a woman collects her own firewood, she can expect to double her initial investment (or more if she has her own crops).
Commercialization: A Resilient Industry
The commercialization of African beer dates back to the early 1900s and remains a reliable strategy for women to generate income. Several factors make brewing particularly accessible:
- Minimal Investment: Brewing requires simple technology and equipment, which is often shared among women.
- Quick Returns: Beer must be sold within two to three days to avoid souring, ensuring fast revenue.
This low barrier to entry and rapid financial turnaround have led more women to enter the brewing industry, solidifying it as a dependable source of income in both urban and rural settings.
The evolution of beer brewing in Africa highlights how material culture adapts to economic and social pressures. While the shift from traditional rituals to commercialization may signal the loss of some cultural practices, it also demonstrates the resilience and ingenuity of African women. By transforming brewing into a means of financial independence, women not only sustain their families but also contribute to a broader narrative of cultural adaptation and empowerment. Beer, as both a product and a practice, continues to reflect and shape the societies that craft it.