About this episode

The episode discusses the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law, and its historical significance in Bavarian beer brewing.

Duke Wilhelm IV issued what later became known as the Reinheitsgebot - the decree setting out that Bavarian beer should be made using only water, barley and hops - on 23rd April, 1516. Although the famous “purity” clause occupies only a small part of the original document, the law helped improve drink quality, and remains in place today as a powerful marketing tool, shaping global perceptions of German beer. In this tasty episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why yeast wasn’t included in the original law; consider some of the alarming ingredients that were once added to alcohol (henbane, thorn apple, and even soot); and reveal where the word “lager” comes from… Further Reading: • ‘German beer: 500 years of 'Reinheitsgebot' rules (BBC News, 2016): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36110288 • ‘The best German lagers to buy — and why they’re superior to UK brews (The Times, 2026): https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/food-drink/article/best-german-beers-lagers-to-buy-bbjrv9tts • ‘What is the German Beer Purity Law? | Made in Germany’ (DW, 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqQcXWmWULU #1500s #Food #Germany #Legal Love the show? Support us! Join 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴to…

People in this episode

Hosts: Arion, Rebecca Messina, Olly Mann

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC News, The Times, DW

Places: Bavaria, Germany

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