Why did the Reinheitsgebot settle on hops?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by DEdesings57, Dec 30, 2015.

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  1. DEdesings57

    DEdesings57 Pooh-Bah (2,556) Aug 26, 2012 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    We all know that the German Purity Law dictates that beer should only be brewed with barley, hops, and water. But before that beers were brewed with many different kinds of plants that acted as a bittering agent for the beer. Rosemary and certain roots for example. In fact some people refer to those kinds of beers brewed that way as medicinal beers or Gruit Beers and consider them to be much more beneficial to your health. All of a sudden The German Purity Law states that only hops should be used. We all know hops are a great preservative but out of so many options why did they choose hops?

    Today hops have become probably the most significant ingredient in beer. Even If a brewer does not follow the Reinheitsgebot they still use hops as the only source of bittering but may use other ingredients like coffee ect. I personally do not know of any commercial examples of un-hopped, "medicinal" or Gruit beers available, at least not in Northern Jersey. If anyone knows of any let me know because I would really like to try some.
     
    #1 DEdesings57, Dec 30, 2015
  2. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Here is a link to a beer that may be available in North Jersey.

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/12142/245/

    As for the history, a very brief summary that skips over lots of details.

    Hops start getting used in the 1100s.

    There were "taxes" on the gruit herbal mixes but not on hops so they became more popular and it was recognized that hops also had more preservative benefits. (I.e., more days before beer spoiled in the absence of refrigeration.)

    By the 1500s hops were basically in widespread usage in making beer.

    So that is what the Bavarian monarch chose when issuing the RHG.

    You might enjoy this blog about the RHG.

    http://www.europeanbeerguide.net/reinheit.htm
     
    #2 drtth, Dec 30, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2015
  3. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just smell the wort as hops are being introduced during the boil and you'll have your answer
     
    #3 Immortale25, Dec 30, 2015
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  4. DEdesings57

    DEdesings57 Pooh-Bah (2,556) Aug 26, 2012 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for that.
     
    #4 DEdesings57, Dec 30, 2015
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