What was beer called in the Middle Ages ?

The names were varied before the word beer gradually became established in France, during the era of Royalty, from 1435 onwards. Before the word became popular in France, this drink had many names: cervoise, gruit or barley wine.

In the 15th Century, an ordinance issued by Charles VII gave this name to the drink in order to regulate its trade.

The term sikaru could also be found in several regions of the world. The term comes from the Akkadian language, which originated in Mesopotamia in Asia. Sikaru means liquid bread, in reference to the purely accidental invention of this drink. A Sumerian failed to remove his dry barley bread. Under the effect of natural yeasts and fermentation, this water was transformed into beer, the very first in 6000 BC. The term then spread to other countries, in Asia and elsewhere.

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