historicgermany.com
1516 2016
German Beer Purity Law 500th Anniversary
The Art of Brewing
#WeAreGermany
Beer Brewing Tradition
Germany�s Air of Discovery around Beer!
Beer brings people together! From medieval taverns ..
... to contemporary breweries and craft beer pubs.
What could be more enchanting than Historic Highlights of Germany’s cathedrals, castles and palace gardens? For some visitors – its beer! You´ve no doubt heard that Germans like beer and that the number of breweries may overwhelm you. The golden barley juice has a tradition which is several thousand years old, it is drunk just about everywhere in the world and considered the national drink of the Germans.
to get in touch with beer! Having a pint is, after all, a way to socialize, to meet the locals.
Few people are aware that beer in Germany is very localized. Most beers are local products rarely found outside their towns of origin! There’s this air of discovery around beer: wherever you go, there’s going to be a beer you’ve never heard of. There seems to be a greater sense of designing a vacation completely around going to breweries and meeting brewers. People want
There are outstanding beer destinations beyond the Oktoberfest with the best beers Germany has to offer. Explore these rare beer destinations and discover regional tastes. Bypass the industrial breweries and scout out family-run breweries that have been in business for more than 600 years. More than 90 percent of the 1,339 breweries in Germany are independent, giving rise to a huge diversity of beers. Experience Historic Highlights of Germany as never before as you delve into the taste, history and culture of beer! We‘re going to let you know where they are and what they have to offer.
1516 2016
German Beer Purity Law 500th Anniversary
Brewery stories of Germany’s historic cities
Brewery stories of Germany’s historic cities
Long live hops, malt and water! The history of beer, peppered with entertaining and interesting anecdotes, leads you across the whole of Germany. Every place has its own style. The beer connects with the destination. If you think about the history of Germany, the religious history, the culture – they’re all connected with the beer. Traveling, like beer, is about enjoying life or as Benjamin Franklin once said: „Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.“
The Brewing Monks In the Early Middle Ages, mainly monks busied themselves with the art of beer brewing as they said that “liquid does not break the fast”. Even today, there are breweries that still produce beer according to the old recipes of the monks. The brewery “Brauerei zum Klosterhof” in Heidelberg, for example, belongs to the monastery of the “Stift Neuburg” (Neuburg Abbey) whose history goes back to the 12thcentury.
Living brewing traditions in the Hanseatic Cities Soon merchants and traders discovered the art of brewing, too. With the development of international trade routes began the era of the great merchants, wealthy tradesmen and guilds.
Naturally, the beer brewers benefited from the economic boom as well. Above all, the cities that had been united in the Hanseatic League since 1358 experienced a boost. Thus, the tradition of beer can still be discovered in a variety of ways in the Hanseatic City of Rostock. The “Hanseatische Brauerei Rostock” (Hanseatic Brewery Rostock) has existed since 1878 and is open for visitors. Those who love feasting in a historic setting, will feel at home in the brewery “Hausbrauerei Rampendahl” in the Hanseatic City of Osnabrück. The Pinkus-Müller brewery traces its origins to the family‘s arrival in the North German town of Münster in 1816.
The breweries of the sovereigns Towards the end of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) the soldiers in Franconia had drunk up nearly all the wine provisions. Thus, the idea arose that the men should be supplied with beer instead. In 1643, the “Fürstliches Hofbräuhaus” (royal court-brewery) was founded in Würzburg, today the oldest company in the city. More well worth seeing breweries of the nobility can be found in Potsdam. The brewery in the “Krongut Bornstedt” (Bornstedt Crown Estate) has brewed the “Bornstedt Buffalo”since 1689. The Thurn and Taxis Princely Brewery in Regensburg is widely known for its delicious beer varieties: wheat, light and dark, that are brewed in two copper vats.
Beer Heritage Journey
Exploring Beer in Germany! Rostock
Potsdam
Osnabrück Münster
Erfurt
Koblenz
Trier
Wiesbaden Mainz Würzburg Heidelberg Regensburg Augsburg Freiburg
A trip to an atmospheric Beer Garden or a beer hall is a Germany must but with well over 1,300 breweries in the country, it‘s hard to know where to start. Famed for location, age, popularity, atmosphere or sheer number of beer-related sights, here are the top beer destinations in our Historic Highlights of Germany cities! On this beer adventure, you’ll journey through Germany. Be sure to bring your appetite when you discover the local beers and traditions that make our cities such celebrated destinations.
Further information: www.historicgermany.travel/beer
Beer Purity Law
Production of exceptional beer since 1516
Barley’s role in beer making is equivalent to grapes’ role in winemaking: fundamental!
Brewers believe in the old tradition of selecting finest hops.
Brewing is an ancient craft in Germany, dating back to at least the late Bronze Age, generally considered to have lasted in Central Europe between roughly 2000 and 700 B.C. The ancient Germans did not invent brewing, but they were probably the first Europeans to make beer. By insisting in 1516 that the „only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be barley, hops and water“ the German Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) ensured the quality of German beer. Before 1516, the northern German brewers with their strict guild rules had the best beer quality, but the „Reinheitsgebot“ changed that. The Bavarians quickly increased their product quality and some think they surpassed the northern guilds. However, in the expanding brewing industry, there were naturally some misconducts as
well. Many brewers were exposed as adulterators that wanted to get rich at the expense of the topers. The year 2016 will mark the 500th anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot, but it is not the first law about beer: The Bavarian city of Augsburg already began very early to put the lid on the adulteration of beer. As early as 1143 Augsburg passed a first purity law! The municipal law had stipulated since 1156 that no beer of inferior quality is allowed to be brewed. Augsburg can claim that the city provides the oldest evidence of middle-class brewing within our cultural area. Today, there are still four large breweries in Augsburg. The brewery “Riegele” was founded in 1386 and is considered one of the oldest in the world.
Beer Vacation
Hitting the hot spots for brewing and drinking
Koblenz
Regensburg
If you‘re looking for a multi-day trip with more diversity and visits to breweries across various regions and you‘re not sure whether doing the trip on your own is right for you, it‘s worth exploring the idea of a multi-day package tour with a small group. Beer-themed travel with people who are on your wavelength is major fun.
for Pilsener, Hefeweizen, Kölsch etc. Take behind-the-scenes tours, talk to the brew masters and be introduced to beers you did not even know exist.
Travel with our preferred partner INSIDE GERMANY TOURS to Augsburg, Regensburg and other charming German towns that have become famous for their brews and are part of the Historic Highlights of Germany. Experience how the locals celebrate traditional beer festivals not just in the fall and taste both traditional and modern German foods that are a perfect match
Further information: www.insidegermanytours.com
Germany�s Beer Destinations
Building your own Beer Adventure Historic Highlights of Germany is the myriad of cities where beer has been a part of life since the Middle Ages, when it was safer to drink than water. Parched? Here’s where to get a taste.
AUGSBURG
FREIBURG
The excellent Riegele Brewery beers can be sampled in a superb beer garden. The traditional beer and the new microbrews (IPA!) is always a reason to visit. The König von Flandern beer cellar offers its own brewed beer. Thorbräu is one of the oldest breweries in Germany founded in 1582. On top of that, the brewery in the Kälberhalle is an amazing place! Here, Hasen-Bräu is brewed with meticulous craftsmanship.
Hausbrauerei Feierling is a great place to get a great localbrewery beer and good pub food. Very popular beer garden in summer! Martin�s Bräu brewery looks fantastic, with giant copper vats brewing beautiful beer. Ganter Brauereiausschank is on the market square, facing the cathedral. The Ganter beer is something really special!
ERFURT
HEIDELBERG
If you want to experience a comfy and authentic Thuringian brewery, you should definitely visit the Zum Goldenen Schwan. The beers from the in-house brewery are excellent and can be enjoyed in the very pleasant beer garden. The location of Waldhaus and Waldkasino microbreweries a very good. Sitting in the beer garden: just amazing!
Kulturbrauerei is a great brewpub in the delightful old town of Heidelberg. They provide beer from their own brewery! After walking along the famous Philosopher�s walk the Neuburg cloister and its brewery is a welcome stop where there is great beer. Vetter�s brewhouse provides a wide range of beers made on the premises.
KOBLENZ
MÜNSTER
The location of the Koblenzer brewery is very nice: on the banks of the Rhine, you can enjoy an excellent river view! Great local-brewery beer and the menu boasts regional and local selections. Königsbacher Biergarten is located directly next to the German Corner - the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. A great place to relax, especially on a warm and sunny day.
Pinkus-Müller is the world‘s first brewery to brew with only organically grown barley malt and whole hop blossoms. Have you ever heard of Pumpernickel-Porter or Bockwurst-Bock? Gruthaus brewery´s craft brews can be found in local stores, pubs and restaurants.
MAINZ
OSNABRÜCK
Eisgrub brewery has an excellent dark beer made in-house and a good selection of traditional German food. Fresh local brews to watch out for: Kuehn-Kunz-Rosen, RheinhessenBräu and Eulchen beers.
Rampendahl Hausbrauerei is a fantastic brew pub with atmosphere. The beer is really quaffable, simple selection of „Dunkel“ or „Helles“. They also have 1L big bottles packaged very nicely to be given as gifts.
POTSDAM
ROSTOCK
The Alte Meierei brewery is located close to Cecilienhof Palace, right at the lake. Enjoy a wonderful glass of beer in one of the most beautiful places! The brewery in the Krongut Bornstedt (Bornstedt Crown Estate) has brewed the “Bornstedt Buffalo” since 1689. Forsthaus Templin brewhouse has very tasty locally brewed beers and a great location next to the lake, placed in-between big trees.
Enjoy the place of the Alter Fritz brewery on the harborside in Rostock with fine food and a special beer. The great Trotzenburg brew pub is perfect for lunch on a day trip from your cruise liner at Warnemünde.
REGENSBURG
TRIER
A beer garden in a hospital? Yes, for the last 800 years! Spitalgarten at the beautiful Danube bridge, a place to be happy and enjoy tasty Spital beer made on the premises. Kneitinger is almost a must if you visit Regensburg! In a typical Bavarian surrounding they serve good beers and authentic food.
The Blesius Garten hotel and beer garden is a place for everyone who loves beer - they brew several of their own on the premises. The beer tasting is really nice and can definitely be recommended! Petrusbräu brew pub and beer garden is a light walk away from the main square. The atmosphere is very cozy and rustic, with wooden tables and chairs.
TopTip! Do you know the Germany Beer Day, yes, the national beer day? On this day, April 23rd, there are a lot of celebrations to show off all breweries beers and also a lot of tasting done.
WIESBADEN Combined with homebrewed Beer (Hell, Dunkel and Weizen = light, dark and Wheatbeer) Brewhouse Castel�s aim is to serve you in a typical, traditional manner. Fresh local craft brew to watch out for: the new Wiesbadener Pale Ale!
Rostock
Potsdam
Osnabrück Münster
Erfurt
Koblenz
Trier
Wiesbaden Mainz Würzburg Heidelberg Regensburg Augsburg
WÜRZBURG What a great setting for a rest, a beer, a snack, and mixing with the locals! The Goldene Gans beer garden is a scenic riverside setting away from the old town at the base of the Old Bridge. Würzburger Hofbräu makes excellent beer, be sure to try a few different brews when there.
Freiburg
Further information: www.historicgermany.travel/beer
Cheers!
More Info Historic Highlights of Germany Simeonstrasse 55 DE-54290 Trier / Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 651.979.004-60 Fax: +49 (0) 651.979.004-62 www.historicgermany.com info@historicgermany.com
Photo credits: BjĂśrn Rudek, Laudenbacher/ Stadt WĂźrzburg, Riegele Brauerei Augsburg, Ron Stern, Regensburg Tourismus GmbH, Sascha Mayerer, iStockphoto
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