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A lot brewing on German Beer Day

April 22, 2015

Breweries in Germany traditionally celebrate the "Day of German Beer" (National beer day) on April 23. On this day in 1516, the "Reinheitsgebot" or "German Beer Purity Law" came into force.

https://p.dw.com/p/1FCbA
Source: Reuters
Image: Reuters

Across Germany, breweries, brewing museums, beer gardens, and micro-breweries will mark the purity law anniversary by opening their doors to allow a glimpse behind the scenes for visitors to experience the art of brewing as well as its long history. The big brewery tours in North-Rhine Westphalia are especially popular. Beer tasting sessions give brewers a chance to show off their latest creations.

One big German beer day highlight happens in the Bavarian capital,Munich: some 1,000 liters of beer will be flowing from a specially designed fountain and will be served up free of charge.

Bavaria is the German state with the most breweries, currently numbering more than 600. It was also in Bavaria where back in 1516 on April 23 the German Purity Law was originally proclaimed. The law, which still applies today, specifies that the only ingredients that can be used in the production of beer are water, hops, yeast, and barley.

fm / ks (ddp, Brauerbund, NRW Tourismus)