In ancient Peru, women made the beer

[Beefsteak]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10043096/

An ancient brewery from a vanished empire was staffed by elite women who were selected for their beauty or nobility, a new study concludes.

The finding adds to other evidence that women played a more crucial role in ancient Andean societies than history books have stated. It may also in some ways reflect modern drinking traditions in the Andean mountains, where women get drunk as much as men, researchers say.........

[chazwicke]

In some South American countries the chicha was fermented from womens saliva and the beer mixture. I believe they chewed and spit something into the beer. My memory is hazy on this. Anyone else recall?

[newportstorm]

If Sam had his way, saliva would be part of this beer:

http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002633.php

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by chazwicke
In some South American countries the chicha was fermented from womens saliva and the beer mixture. I believe they chewed and spit something into the beer. My memory is hazy on this. Anyone else recall?

I think they chewed the grain and spit it into a pot of water - they let that sit around for a while, then drank it.

[beerboogie]

Originally posted by HogieWan
I think they chewed the grain and spit it into a pot of water - they let that sit around for a while, then drank it.

That's the recipe for BMC

[shirteesdotnet]

I think youre right Hogie... people chewed corn, spit it out and let that yummy stuff ferment. Im curious what else was added. If memory serves me, this was a popular drink around Lake Titicaca area.