Beer: A short history

If one wants to brew beer, which I do, it's good to know a little about the history of beer. One important moment in history is the creation of the German Beer Purity Law, better known as the Reinheitsgebot.

In a nutshell, the Reinheitsgebot stated that the only ingredients allowed for the creation of beer would be malt, hops, yeast and water. NOTHING ELSE! If anyone chose to go against the Law, let's just say "They are of no concern to you".

Today's brewers, especially those in the U.S. are going way out on a limb by adding new and interesting ingredients into their brews, and trying brew styles from all over the world. True the Reinheitsgebot is no longer the standard to which we raise our glasses, that doesn't mean that craft brewers aren't honoring the spirit of the law, in the purity of their beer.

So raise your glasses, and raise them high!

Prost!

Image retrieved from: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/09/oktoberfest_2010.html