Reinheitsgebot: German beer purity law

Germany is the biggest beer consumer in Europe and with 1400 breweries in the country, it’s one of the biggest beer producers in the world too! Beer also plays an important part in German culture.

It should come as no surprise that Germany takes beer seriously. In fact, the ancient German beer purity law known as Reinheitsgebot is still in effect in its modern incarnation. It’s the oldest food law that still exists today!

In this lesson, Riegele’s head brewer Sebastian Priller explains the evolution and importance of Reinheitsgebot. For 28 generations, Sebastian’s family have been brewing beer at Riegele. With this family legacy, Sebastian is well-versed in the history of German beer and the laws that govern beer brewing today.

What you'll learn in the Reinheitsgebot: German beer purity law lesson

• What Reinheitsgebot, the German beer purity law, states
• The evolution of Reinheitsgebot
• Reinheitsgebot and modern craft beer brewing