For many of us beer is synonymous with Germany and German lifestyle. It is safe to say Germany is the beer country. With just 4 ingredients German brewers have revolutionised the beer industry. No other European country manufactures as much beer as Germany. When it comes to family picnics or office parties, beer is a common sight.
Traditional breweries are using advanced brewing techniques to create new varieties with powerful aromas. Try the different varieties of German style Lager available at Prost. Their beers are full of flavour and leave a smooth taste. Ever wondered what’s the deal with Germany and Beer? Is this because Germans invented beer? No!
History of beers:
- About 13,000 years ago prior to agricultural revolution, people in Middle East roasted grain in water as it resulted in a fine-tasting, slightly alcoholic, nourishing drink.
- Some 6000 years ago the Sumerians noticed the fermentation process in an abandoned bowl of bread dough. They tried repeating the process and that’s how ‘brewing’ began. The drink was used as God offerings and served to kings.
- In ‘The Epic of Gilgamesch’ written around 3000BC it was mentioned beer and bread was a common staple among the Sumerians.
- After the downfall of Sumerian empire in 2000BC, the Babylonians brewed 20 beer varieties and exported beer 1000 kilometres away.
Advent of Beer in Germany:
The oldest evidence of beer being brewed in Germany was around 800BC. By the second century, beer was traded commercially. Gradually, German monks were interested in the scientific aspects of brewing. The monasteries that produced Beer were located predominantly in Southern Germany among which some of them like Kloster Andechs, Weihenstephan, St. Gallen, Weltenberg are still around. During those early years’ beer was considered safe to consume than water. Germans felt it was in fact nutritious, safe and good for kids.
Beer Purity law:
Around the world different varieties of starchy grains such as barley, rye, emmer wheat, semolina wheat, spelt, rice or maize were used as base for the malt. In 1516 Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria introduced the Reinheitsgebot (Purity law) according to which only barley (later barley malt), hops and water must be used to make beer.
It was only after 300 years German and French scientists understood the role of yeast in air which caused fermentation. The law was adopted throughout Germany. This Beer Purity laws is one of the oldest food-regulation laws which is still effective.
After significant industrial brewing advancements, beer became a part of everyday life for Germans. German Beer continues to be a global product and the country is internationally known to produce distinct Beer varieties.
