Crafty Beer Girls

Girls Love Beer

  • Home
  • About
  • Beer Stories

By Lauren Lerch

5 Things You Should Know About Das Reinheitsgebot

As seen in the Franconian Brewery Museum in Bamberg, Germany

If your German is rusty, fear not. I’m gonna break this down for you into tiny little pretzel bites. I must admit, I’ve been putting off this post for well over a year for fear that I’d butcher the most pure and sacred law that has carried German lagerbier as as we know it into the 21st century. Though I may never find myself worthy of delving deeply into such a rich topic, I do feel comfortable scratching at the surface and sharing my findings with you here.

Without further ado, here are 5 Things You Should Know About Das Reinheitsgebot.

1. What is the Reinheitsgebot?

The Reinheitsgebot (pronounced rine-hites-geh-bote, with long “i” sounds), also known as the German Beer Purity Law, is a series of laws limiting the creation and sale of beer in Germany in favor of the well being of its citizens. The most popular form of the law is the ordinance created in Bavaria on April 23rd, 1516. This particular iteration stated only barley, hops and water could be used in the creation of beer. The influence of yeast as an ingredient was not yet known, but yeast would later be added as a fourth ingredient. This version of the law also set prices and price ranges for beer sold in the common serving volumes of that time.

The Reinheitsgebot is not a single law, but a series of laws that were made before and long after the most popular 1516 form. The 503rd celebration of the 1516 German Beer Purity Law was held last week on April 23rd, 2019. The law has changed to adapt to the standards of modern age, all while protecting the purity of German beer tradition.

2. Why was the Reinheitsgebot created?

The Reinheitsgebot was implemented to keep wheat and rye available in plentiful quantities for bakers, eliminating the competition for use of these grains in beer production. This allowed the price of bread to remain affordable, while allowing beer to continue to be produced with well suited barley. The price of beer itself was also managed by the law to keep the beverage affordable for citizens, and prevent competitive, exorbitant pricing.

Ingredients are another area of restriction made in order to safeguard consumers. While some ingredients were unhealthy additives, others were seen in association with foreign places or religions (or lack thereof), and disqualified from the simple list of allowed components.

3. How did this affect the German beer landscape?

Some styles, such as the pilsner, helles, bock and schwarzbier, have thrived under the ingredient restriction. Other beer styles became extinct and have yet to be unearthed by the modern craft beer revolution. Worry not – this beer movement has a knack for giving old, dead things new life. (I’m still waiting to see use of odd beer ingredients like bay leaf, various nightbane, and other herbs outside of a gruit.)

The Reinheitsgebot has been criticized as being protectionist, and repellent of current beer trends. While it has kept pure German beer tradition at the forefront of overall German culture, it has, perhaps, stunted innovation and boosted these timeless beer styles for traditions sake. Several of the German breweries I visited in 2017 expressed their discontent with the constraints country law placed on their innovative flexibility. I understand both the desire to be creative and to uphold tradition, and the cacophony that might ensue during the struggle for balance. Please do not mistake the magnifying glass as any form of dislike. There’s a reason I write more about German beer than any other. 😉

4. Why does the Reinheitsgebot still exist today?

Though seen by some as an unnecessary limitation, the Reinheitsgebot serves the purpose of marketing, German identity, and of course, beer regulation. Stating on packaging that a beer is compliant with the Reinheitsgebot is a way of telling consumers the contents are pure by the highest standards. It’s an attractive claim to both national and international consumers alike.

When visiting Drei Kronen in Memmelsdorf, Germany, their brewer stated the Reinheitsgebot is a code of honor. She explained that anyone can add flavoring to beer, but it takes a true craftswoman to evoke specific desired flavors utilizing only four ingredients. In a roundabout way, I connect this limitation to that of Utah’s alcohol laws, specifically the law limiting draught and grocery store beer to 4% ABV. Though I wouldn’t consider it a code of honor, I do think it takes a very creative brewer to execute the brewing of many styles at 4% ABV or below, and to do so very well.

5. What has changed since the Reinheitsgebot was created?

The 1156 Beer Purity Law of Augsberg took the quality of beer so serious, that brewers of bad beer were beaten! I don’t condone violence for the sake of good beer, but I do wonder if their beer so happened to be incredibly delicious during that time. Needless to say, I’ve yet to find a law since then that beats people for making unpure suds.

The 1516 version of the Reinheitsgebot held a strong focus on food safety and affordability. Since then, food has become safer and more plentiful than ever before. The law has since allowed the use of rye and wheat, as well as many mineral additives. There are about 50 total ingredients available to brewers for use under the Reinheitsgebot. Most of these are considered catalysts in the beer making process, and are allowed because they do not change the integrity of the beer. Brewers are still unable to force carbonate their beer with CO2, despite its availability and ease of use. They must rely on natural carbonation from fermentation, though use of CO2 for the purpose of purging beer vessels is allowed.

If guarding the purity of beer is the ingredient to centuries of successful beer making, then perhaps the Reinheitsgebot and its many installments achieved more than safe beer at a fair price. This series of restrictions has carved out a beer shaped identity for the German people. Their contagious respect for beer has spread across nations, bringing people such as myself into obsessive admiration.

Zum wohl!

Filed Under: Education, Historical, Hops, Malt, Politics, Travel, Yeast

craftybeergirls

craftybeergirls
Best way to spend International Women's Day? Brewi Best way to spend International Women's Day? Brewing beer with @pinkbootsutah at @levelcrossingbrewing! We can't wait for you to try it! 💪🍻

#internationalwomensday #pinkbootssociety #pinkbootsutah #collaborationbrew #womenwhobrew #womenwhorock #women #girlslovebeer
Same shit, different day at @altaskiarea. 😜 Sto Same shit, different day at @altaskiarea. 😜 Storm day skiing followed by good local craft beer. Your vacation is my life! #powpow #snowday #altaskiarea #skibeer #gridcitybeerworks #utahbeer #skiutah #apresski #powderday #hazyipa #snow #beer #utah #winter
There is something deeply satisfying about crackin There is something deeply satisfying about cracking open the first beer of your latest homebrew batch. The anticipation after 2 weeks of fermentation followed by 2 weeks of bottle conditioning is high! Will it be delicious, or did I manage to fuck it up somehow? 

Meet Dark Sister, a black IPA brewed with rye and hopped with Chinook, Cascade, Idaho 7, and Talus. I'm happy to say it turned out very drinkable and I had a great time brewing it with my cousin, @butterspuppy! As always, many thanks to the @hopbombshells for helping me build confidence and passion for brewing. You are the best! ❤️ Jenni 🍻

#homebrewing #womenwhobrew #homebrew #blackipa #darksister #hopbombshells #hopbombshellshomebrewclub
Are you feeling it? It's cold, but this Christmas Are you feeling it? It's cold, but this Christmas Cheer from @uintabrewing is giving us those merry vibes. That malty Munich-style lager with a hint of juniper is right at home here in Utah's snowy mountains! 🌲

#christmascheer #christmasbeer #skibeer #uintabrewing #utahbeer #craftbeer #apresski #altaskiarea #wasatchmountains #littlecottonwoodcanyon #munichstyle #lager #juniperberries #winterbeer #snow
What a fantastic day for brewing! Me and my best w What a fantastic day for brewing! Me and my best witch brewed up a black IPA to celebrate Halloween weekend. 🦇 We had a devilishly good time! 😈 Shout out to the @hopbombshells and learning how to make the best beverage known to woman. BEER!! 🍻

#bestwitch #hombrew #hopbombshells #homebrewclub #homebrewing #witchesbrew #blackipa #evil #darksister #hoppyhalloween #halloweenweekend #womenwhobrew #doubledoubletoilandtrouble #fireburn #cauldronbubble
Can't get enough of October! 😍🍁 Fall is in f Can't get enough of October! 😍🍁 Fall is in full force and the mountain biking in Park City is on point. 👌 Trail buddy courtesy of @talismanbrewingco 🍻

#oktoberfest #trailbeer #fallcolors #fallleaves #utahbeer #bikesandbeers #mountainbiking #parkcity #utah #talismanbrewingco #craftbeer #lager #wasatchmountains
Two weeks ago I attended the 50th Anniversary Cele Two weeks ago I attended the 50th Anniversary Celebration for @saveourcanyons at @nhmu. It's hard to believe this organization has been fighting to preserve Utah's Wasatch Mountains for half a century! Here's a toast to all the hard work they've put into protecting one of the most precious resources we have here in Salt Lake City - our beautiful mountains and canyons! 🍻 ~J

Learn more about Save Our Canyons and take action by visiting our blog post at redrockbrewing.com/craftybeergirls (link in bio)

#saveourcanyons #wasatchmountains #keeputahwild #slc #utah
Did we need a new double IPA from @redrockbrewing? Did we need a new double IPA from @redrockbrewing? Fukiphīno! But, you gotta love the name and that sweet label art. Looks pretty good on a t-shirt, eh? 😍 Be careful with this one, folks! It's delicious and dangerously smooth at 9% ABV.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Contact us:

craftybeergirlsblog@gmail.com

© 2021 Crafty Beer Girls