Mashing Brewers at Béthencourt

With many paintings in the Museum’s collection, we are not simply viewing a generic scene of work or industry. Instead, many works document a real, well-known industrial area or even an actual company, the history of which is highlighted in the art on display. We can also learn a great deal about the industry depicted. Besides, a museum in Milwaukee would not be complete without a display of brewing history in one form or another.

This painting was acquired by the Bardou family for the Castle of Aubiry at Céret, France, built between 1894 and 1900. Four workers are shown working in the Brasserie Béthencourt in northern France, three of them at the ‘mash tun.’ Mashing is the brewing process whereby grains (starches) are converted into sugar so the yeast can produce alcohol during fermentation. The grains and malt (sprouted and roasted grain) are mixed with water in a large pot called a tun at an elevated temperature for a period of time and stirred with a paddle while taking temperature readings.

Heat is supplied by the copper heater with a steam vent as shown. During this process, enzymes are released into the solution, transforming the grain and water into sweet wort. The wort will then be ‘sparged’—where the remaining grain is rinsed to extract the sugar and clarify the wort. The wort boil is followed by the adding of hops, chilling, and then fermentation using yeast.