Hallo, Willkommen zu Hause, fellow Brewers and Beir enthusiast!
Welcome to Seelos Brauhaus, as you may know, brewing is an ancient and noble art that dates back to the dawn of civilization. Many cultures and civilizations have developed their own traditions and styles of brewing, using various ingredients and techniques to create unique and flavorful beverages. Beer is not only a refreshing drink, but also a reflection of history, culture, and creativity. But, just a word of warning…! Please don’t let the following information go to your beer foamed head. No beer snobs allowed @ Seelos…
One of the most famous beer lovers in history was Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was also a scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, and philosopher. He once wrote in a letter to his friend André Morellet: “Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.”
Some people have misquoted this sentence as “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”² While Franklin never said this about beer specifically, we can still appreciate his sentiment and his appreciation for fermented beverages. After all, beer is made from water that falls from the heavens on our fields of barley, wheat, hops, and other grains; there it enters the roots of the plants, to be changed into malt; a constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.
If you share this love for beer and want to learn more about how to make your own at home, we have some good news for you. We have selected The Complete Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papazian as the recommended initial reading for any member who wants to start or improve their brewing skills.
This book is considered the homebrewer’s bible by many experts and enthusiasts. It contains everything you need to know to brew beer at home from start to finish, including new recipes, updated charts on hop varieties, secrets to fermentation, beer kit tips, and more. It also explains the history and lore of beer, the science behind brewing, and tips on how to create your own original ales and lagers.
Charlie Papazian is a master brewer who has been teaching and inspiring homebrewers for over 40 years. He is also the founder of the American Homebrewers Association and the Great American Beer Festival. He has a friendly and humorous style of writing that makes learning easy and enjoyable. He also has an infectious enthusiasm for brewing that will motivate you to try new things and experiment with your own recipes.
The Complete Joy of Homebrewing is available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. You can also find it in many bookstores and libraries. We encourage you to get a copy and read it as soon as possible. You will not regret it.
We hope you enjoy this book as much as we do. We also hope you join us in our monthly meetings, where we share our experiences, feedback, tips, and samples of our homebrews. As a Seelos Brewer who would want to level up in brewership, it’s pretty much a required homework assignment.
“Relax, Don’t Worry, Have a Homebrew!”
Now let’s talk about the law…
**What is the German purity law?**
The German purity law (Reinheitsgebot) is a regulation that limits the ingredients used in brewing beer to only water, barley (or other grains), hops, and yeast. It was first adopted in Bavaria in 1516 by Duke Wilhelm IV as a way to ensure quality, safety, affordability, and consistency of beer production.
The law was also motivated by economic and political factors: it protected bakers from competition for wheat (which was reserved for bread making), it prevented brewers from using cheaper or harmful additives (such as wood shavings or poisonous plants), it regulated prices and taxes on beer (which was a major source of revenue for the state), and it promoted Bavarian pride and identity (which was important for joining the German unification in 1871).
The law became mandatory throughout Germany in 1906 by an Imperial Act under Kaiser Wilhelm II. It was not until World War I that the term Reinheitsgebot (meaning purity commandment) was coined by a Bavarian legislator during a debate on beer taxation. The law has since acquired an almost mythical status in Germany as a symbol of tradition, quality, and national pride.
The law has also faced some challenges and criticisms over the years: it has been modified to allow the use of wheat (for weissbier) and other grains (such as rye or oats), it has been challenged by the European Union for restricting free trade and consumer choice, it has been accused of stifling innovation and diversity in the craft beer industry, and it has been questioned for its relevance and effectiveness in the modern era of brewing.
Despite these controversies, the law remains in force today and is celebrated by many Germans and beer lovers around the world. It is considered the oldest active consumer protection law in the world and one of the reasons why German beers are renowned for their quality and purity.
Thank you for being part of our club. We look forward to seeing you soon. Prost! (Cheers!)🍺
