Talisman Beer Celebrates Witches..err Brewers

We have a preview of a new Christmas ale –  or maybe it’s a Halloween beer? I can’t be sure by the looks of it. All sarcasm aside, this new October release pays tribute to the “Beer Witches”. You may not know this, but that classic witch silhouette with the tall black hat, broom and the cauldron comes from the real world of women brewers.

Back in the dark ages, beer brewing was women’s work, they made beer for home consumption and to sell on the streets and to taverns. They ladies identified themselves to customers with tall black pointed hats and would often place a broom (symbol of domestic trade) in front of their home or tavern. Beer (like now) was big business and the Catholic church wanted it’s piece of the action, and by “piece” I mean “all”. The church persuade society that women were inclined toward evil, witchcraft and devil-worship. This was of course at the height of the French and Spanish Inquisitions, so you can imagine how that whole witchcraft thing played out for the la …