Ever sent out a silent prayer when you’re brewing beer or making wine? Beckoning the good will of the brewing gods and saints to bless you with clear wort, infection-free brew, non-exploding bottles, and for a heavenly nectar to enjoy. And perhaps even win that homebrew tournament you’ve entered. You might be calling on protection from your god of course, if you have one, but if not, have you thought about who might possibly answer your homebrew prayers? 

Let’s take a look.

Ægir, The Reluctant Brewing Giant

Ægir (also known as Hlér or Gymir) was master brewer to the gods of Asgard in Norse mythology and a particularly excellent host. He was described by Odin (the ‘All Father’, ruler of the Æsir clan, god of war and death, wisdom seeker, and father of Thor and Balder) as a top notch brewer. Odin himself was said to enjoy a good drop or two of mead and wine. While not a god but a giant (jötun), Ægir was ruler of the sea. He entertained his guests in his underwater feasting hall, Brime, illuminated by the glow of gold. Not only would the guests be graced with the best beer in Asgard but their drinking horns would magically re-fill themselves. Heaven for the guests, but as any pub landlord knows, bottomless drinks can cause a riot. Not in Brime: Ægir ruled that any gods causing a bar brawl would be barred until the end of time. No ASBOs needed in Asgard, it seems!

He made his beer in a mile-deep brew kettle, the largest in the world and a gift from Thor, who stole it from the giant Hyme. Though according to Hymiskvida, part of the collection of poems known as the Poetic Edda, Ægir wasn’t that keen to take on the task of being the eternal brewer to all the gods. So this ‘gift’ wasn’t such a prize for Ægir. Here’s a thought: if someone offered you your own giant brewery, on the proviso that you must brew beer for the country’s rulers until the end of time, would you accept?

St Brigid of Beer

Saint Brigid of Ireland (a.k.a. St. Brigid of Kildare) might also be on your list for beery blessings. St Brigid (c. 450-525 AD) is Ireland’s only female patron saint, and since 2023 has a national public holiday dedicated to her on 1st February. Originating from the Celtic festival of Imbolc, St Brigid’s Feast Day marked the beginning of spring in Ireland; a celebration of agriculture and fertility. 

 Brigid was a force of nature: protecting the land, speaking out against forced marriages and performing brewing miracles for the masses. It is said that she prevented a beer drought by turning dirty bath water into enough ale for a whole leper colony. Other sources say she also took one barrel of beer and made it stretch to serve 18 churches from Holy Thursday to the end of Easter. Watering down the drinks, some cynics might say, but to others she is the patron saint of beer. In fact, there is a prayer attributed to St Brigid that begins, ‘I would wish a great lake of ale for the King of Kings; I would wish the family of heaven to be drinking it throughout life and time.’ 

Dionysus, Greek God of Wine and Parties

Dionysus, son of Zeus and Semele, personified many of the fun parts of our human experience. He was the god of winemaking, festivity, ecstasy, orchards, theatre, and inspiration, amongst other things. When you’re enjoying your homemade wine this season, raise a glass to this patron of the arts and proponent of viticulture. You might also toast his great granddaughter, Oeno, to whom he gave the ability to turn water into wine by a simple touch. Though this gift ultimately got Oeno and her sisters (Spermo, who could turn grass into wheat, and Elais who made olive oil) abducted by Agamemnon to provide sustenance to the Greek army while invading Troy. Again, these magical brewing abilities seem more like a curse than good fortune, but don’t let that stop you from advancing in your own brew adventures!