The first time Hops is mentioned as a plant useful to mankind, is in the Abbey of Leuven (Flanders - today Belgium), in the 11th century. A few years later, Hildegard von Bingen, one of the most exceptional women that ever lived, describes the use of hops in brewing beer in her book about natural sciences. She says that hops provide an antidote to certain harmful effects of fermentation of drinks, and that hops enables the drink to preserve for longer periods.

Who was this Hildegard von Bingen, and why was she so important? Hildegard was born in a rich family in 1098 somewhere in the Rhineland (today Germany). At age eight, she was given as a present to God, by her parents to the nun, Jutta of St. Disibrod. Jutta took care of Hildegard’s education, and in no time she became one of the most intelligent human beings of her era. She knew every thing that could be known and was known at her time. She created music (77 songs) and wrote poetry and theater. She knew everything what science had produced in the Western world and beyond, and writes two scientific studies on medicine and nature. She studied the ancient scriptures and texts of the old and new testament.
She corresponded with all the great minds of her time, and the Pope obliged all his bishops and abbots to read and study her interpretations of the role of humankind in Gods great plan from the creation to the redemption. She died at age 81, after fighting numerous battles against lay and clerical hierarchy. Never afraid to speak her mind.

There is a CD on the market with 17 remarkable songs, written by Hildegard, and recreated by contemporary musicians. It is called: VISION, the music of Hildegard von Bingen. The label is Angel, number cdc 7243 5 55246 21.

Listen to this music while enjoying a wonderful Bornem Triple Abbey Ale. For sure the style of beer, that Hildegard drank as abbess and most powerful woman of her time. It kept her going for 81 years, which was about 40 years longer than the average peasant!
Newsletter February 2000