From German Roots

Germany’s beer tradition is ancient, regionally rooted, and profoundly influential. The world’s oldest continuously operating brewery—a Benedictine monastery —began brewing in Freising around 768 CE, officially licensed in 1040, and still produces Weihenstephaner beer today.

Centuries later, in 1516, Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria issued the famed Reinheitsgebot, or Purity Law, which stipulated that beer may contain only barley (or malt), hops, and water—yeast was later added once its role in fermentation became understood. This law aimed to prevent brewers from using grains suitable for bread, to curb harmful additives, and to protect public health and price stability. It remained regionally confined in Bavaria until Germany’s unification, when it became national policy in 1906.

Throughout history, Germany has crafted iconic beer styles, such as the Bock, originating in Einbeck in the 14th century and adopted in Bavaria in the 17th century—its name inspired by the Bavarian pronunciation of “Einbeck” (“ein Bock”).

German beer culture isn't just about brewing techniques—it’s woven into festivals and traditions. The roots of beer gardens and regulation on brewing seasons (e.g., bans on summer brewing for safety until the 1500s) reflect how beer shaped social life and urban practices. Today, festivals like Oktoberfest, dating back to 1810, are global symbols of Bavarian beer culture.

In modern times, Germany continues to boast a rich beer tapestry—over a thousand breweries crafting thousands of unique styles—anchored by centuries-old tradition yet open to innovation.