Chicha – The beer of the Inca

The brewer of the Chicha, with the boys

Chicha has been in Peru for thousands of years.   In fact archcheologists have found a brewery site that is over 1000 years old.   The Inca civilization brewed it for religious, ritual, and social uses.   The Inca would train women how to brew it.   They also gave it to workers who would work for the government to pay their taxes.  Chicha is made from fermented corn.  Wilmar, our guide, took us to a house of a lady who was selling chicha.   In her mud floor house, was a clay pot holding the chicha.   She put some in a pitcher, and brought a glass.   One by one, we all tried it, with Matty taking the biggest swig.