Taverns in the 1500s were meant to serve as a social gathering place for adult villagers. These hall of enjoyment often had a patron who was also a vintner. Because water was in many cases unsanitary alcohol to ale was thought to be more sanitary to drink.
They were a place for men and women to gather together. The inexpensive beer sold at 3 gallons for a penny and the ale choices included meade, wine and cider.
Many bits of folk wisdom from that time still endure today. One folktale – warning about the dangers of drinking and riding – admonishes men on horse not to drink to much or else they will off their horse perhaps into a and never be heard from again.
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As today, much of the social life of some people, was centered on tavern activities. These communal spaces, like their church-counterparts were where people met to determine how to help others.
For a old world tavern feel, check out the Pip 'n Vine Tavern of Fenford. Fenford is the mythic 16th century hamlet that comes to life during Much Ado About Sebastopol's Renaissance Faire, September 14 and 15 (Ives Park, Sebastopol). There will be a wide assortment of wines and brews to choose from.
