There was a special goddess in charge of beer preparation called Ninkasi, a name which seems to mean literally "the lady who fills the mouth." Although she was a goddess "born in sparkling-fresh water," it was beer that was her first love...It is evident then that even beer had its divine and sublime qualities for the Sumerian poets and sages.

The Hymn to Ninkasi

Translation by Miguel Civil

Borne of the flowing water (...)
Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,
Borne of the flowing water (...)
Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,

Having founded your town by the sacred lake,
She finished its great walls for you,
Ninkasi, having founded your town by the sacred lake,
She finished its great walls for you

Your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,
Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake,
Ninkasi, Your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,
Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake.

You are the one who handles the dough,
   and with a big shovel,
Mixing in a pit, the bappir with sweet aromatics,
Ninkasi, You are the one who handles
   the dough, and with a big shovel,
Mixing in a pit, the bappir with date-honey.

You are the one who bakes the bappir
   in the big oven,
Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,
Ninkasi, you are the one who bakes
   the bappir in the big oven,
Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,

You are the one who waters the malt
   set on the ground,
The noble dogs keep away even the potentates,
Ninkasi, you are the one who waters the malt
   set on the ground,
The noble dogs keep away even the potentates.

You are the one who soaks the malt in a jar
The waves rise, the waves fall.
Ninkasi, you are the one who soaks
   the malt in a jar
The waves rise, the waves fall.

You are the one who spreads the cooked
   mash on large reed mats,
Coolness overcomes.
Ninkasi, you are the one who spreads
   the cooked mash on large reed mats,
Coolness overcomes.

You are the one who holds with both hands
   the great sweet wort,
Brewing it with honey and wine
(You the sweet wort to the vessel)
Ninkasi, (...)
(You the sweet wort to the vessel)

The filtering vat, which makes
   a pleasant sound,
You place appropriately on top of
   a large collector vat.
Ninkasi, the filtering vat,
   which makes a pleasant sound,
You place appropriately on top of
   a large collector vat.

When you pour out the filtered beer
   of the collector vat,
It is like the onrush of
   Tigris and Euphrates.
Ninkasi, you are the one who pours out the
  filtered beer of the collector vat,
It is like the onrush of
  Tigris and Euphrates.