# 13th Warrior - technicality on Mead **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 21, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210 "2005-02-21T18:12:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/1 "2005-02-21T18:12:43Z")
Not wanting to start a thread about the merits of the movie, 13th Warrior, but did want to know if this holds water. Banderas’ character, who is Muslim, refuses drink because to quote him “I cannot taste neither the fermentation of grape, nor of wheat.” After a pitched battle, his viking buddy offers him a horn of mead and hearing this laughs and explains that it is a honey based drink. This little technicality hold water? What’s the straight dope? -rainy ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/2 "2005-02-21T18:25:46Z")
There are some Muslims that do or did hold this belief. Certainly not a majority beleif today, but some few may still hold that view. Note also, in the privacy of their homes, or in very privatte clubs, it is hardly unheard of for some Muslim men to drink. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/3 "2005-02-21T18:27:17Z")
Do a Google search on “mead ingredients”. It’s basically honey, water, and yeast. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/4 "2005-02-21T18:29:55Z")
> [@Kilt-wearin' man](#): > > Do a Google search on “mead ingredients”. It’s basically honey, water, and yeast. Feh. Mis-read the question. Dunno about the loophole in the beliefs…I thought you were asking if mead is really made from honey… Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/5 "2005-02-21T18:48:18Z")
Highly doubtful or Budweiser would be popular in Mulsim countries as it’s made from rice. It’s a bit of a fuzzy memory but I think all forms of alcohol are banned in Saudi Arabia, even methanol. It was from an article in Model Airplane News where the author said that only diesel model engines were used there since normal alcohol based glow fuel couldn’t be imported. I’m pretty curious what the Koran says on that and how it is most commonly interpreted. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/6 "2005-02-21T19:32:02Z")
A Turk by the name of Haroun Ate whisky by means of a spoon To one who asked why This turk made reply: “To drink is forbidden, you loon.” ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/7 "2005-02-21T19:56:13Z")
I love it! ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/8 "2005-02-21T20:07:40Z")
I believe its an injunction against drunkenness - you can’t get drunk if you don’t have to moderate it. ---
**Author:** ![kellner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@kellner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellner)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/9 "2005-02-21T21:09:43Z")
Living in a country with a significant Turkish minority I can confirm that this interpretation is not that uncommon. Of course it is not universal and only relevant for those who care about the rules about alcohol at all. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/10 "2005-02-22T00:15:23Z")
> [@Padeye](#): > > Highly doubtful or Budweiser would be popular in Mulsim countries as it’s made from rice. Nitpick: [Budweiser](http://www.anheuser-busch.com/overview/BudIngredients.htm) is made _with_ rice, as well as barley. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/11 "2005-02-22T00:31:35Z")
> [@Cerowyn](#): > > Nitpick: [Budweiser](http://www.anheuser-busch.com/overview/BudIngredients.htm) is made _with_ rice, as well as barley. AFAIK malted barley is an ingredient in every beer. Please note that barley != wheat. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/12 "2005-02-22T00:37:25Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Note also, in the privacy of their homes, or in very privatte clubs, it is hardly unheard of for some Muslim men to drink. Well…not only in the privacy of their homes. A couple hours ago, I was in a kabyl-owned bar and I believe all the patrons except me where muslims (at least they all seemed to be of north-african descent, parenthesis added to take care of nitpickers), and I was the only one not drinking alcohol (minted tea, parenthesis added for the curious. That’s why I entered the bar at the first place). ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/13 "2005-02-22T01:58:09Z")
I asked about this in an old GD thread. IIRC- The Q’uran gives the injunction against consuming intoxicants several times. Each time, it is worded differently. While fermented grapes or fermented grain (IIRC Antonio says “grain” rather than “wheat”) are clearly forbidden, mead is not specifically mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/14 "2005-02-22T02:53:06Z")
> [@](#): > > or in very privatte clubs, it is hardly unheard of for some Muslim men to drink. And in a great many areas, they don’t bother much with the secrecy… ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/15 "2005-02-22T03:20:10Z")
For the record, IANAM… but I did take an Islamic Law course. Based on what I learned, I do not think that you can get around the prohibition of alcohol by drinking mead. (Even though, as **DocCathode** notes, mead is not strictly prohibited). The Qu’ran states: > [@](#): > > They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say, in them is great sin, and some profit, for men. **But their sin is greater than the profit.** > [@](#): > > Ye who believe, **approach not prayers with a mind befogged** , until ye can understand all ye say. > [@](#): > > O ye who believe, **intoxicants** and gambling, [idolatry], and divination by arrows, are an abomination and Satan’s handiwork. Avoid them so that you may prosper. Satan’s plan is but to create enmity and hatred in you, with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the rememberance of God and from prayer. Will ye not then abstain? What’s more - there is a Hadith (which is a statement of the Prophet) that says “He who drinks wine, whip him.” I would interpret this as meaning that drinking anything which can intoxicate you so that you cannot focus on God is forbidden. Also, as anecdotal evidence - in Islamic societies such as Saudi Arabia - I have never heard that there are booming mead sales. - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/16 "2005-02-22T03:53:48Z")
> [@Padeye](#): > > AFAIK malted barley is an ingredient in every beer. Please note that barley != wheat. Actually, in that case most beers would qualify, as classically they contain: malted barley, hops, yeast, and water. As their name would imply, wheat beers contain wheat, but the vast majority of beers are not wheat beers. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/17 "2005-02-22T04:01:50Z")
Even wheat beers contain some barley. ---
**Author:** ![CastleAnthrax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@CastleAnthrax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastleAnthrax)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/18 "2005-02-22T04:08:37Z")
In the Qu’ran, there is no unified prohhibition. It starts off saying Don’t Pray Drunk and gets stricter as more is revealed. There’s a hadith that has somebody asking what exactly is okay, and the answer given is that if a gallon will cloud the mind, then a drop is forbidden, so the official answer is no alcohol and no recreational drugs. It is important to note that there are exceptions for medically necessary treatments such as anaesthesia. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13th-warrior-technicality-on-mead/291210/19 "2005-02-23T15:17:35Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Even wheat beers contain some barley. Yes, but my point was that with the quote “I cannot taste neither the fermentation of grape, nor of wheat,” the speaker in question _can_ drink a majority of brewed beers, not just Budweiser. I didn’t say wheat beers are exclusively made from wheat, simply that they “contain” wheat.