Why does Germany = Beer?

Adjuncts,particularly rice, were in common use in 19th century Germany. This was of course well before RHG came into force , at the time it was only a Bavarian statute.The immigrants would have brought this practice with them.

 

With pleasure!

 

Steve, I don't doubt A lager in Germany is fantastic. Hope to see that country one day and sample it's beers. I do however doubt I will like it better than real English ale.

 

Never say never, my friend!

 

It doesn't, anymore, if it ever did. But, just as with France and wine, Germany had a wonderful, dynamic beer culture long before the US did and a lot of people still prefer and advocate for those styles. In point of fact, in the US, the statement "The UK = Beer" is a LOT more accurate. We've virtually adopted the Brit beer styles as our national craft beer standards, with the massive popularity of the IPAs, Stouts, Porters, and Pale Ales. No one is obliged to pay homage to any beer region. Drink what you like and let purists worry about traditions.

 

Don't get me wrong - Germany make good beer. In fact, they house my favourite in Aventinus. But, people go there and they know and should be under no misunderstanding that they have to drink beer even if they don't normally drink beer or like to drink beer. Sure they have a few good rieslings or schnapps but Germany is the country for beer.

 

I'm just curious who associates England with whisky? Not that it's possible and I'm simply not aware. Either that or you mean Britain, including Northern Ireland and Scotland.

 

And as far as the subject of this thread.....Being first generation in the US, I've traveled to Germany many times and have been involved in many a merry making event over there. Certainly the local breweries are countless and they love to drink. However, like many other have said, there are plenty of other countries that drink their faces off and plenty that have a great brewing history, so when it comes to America, it's really the fact that major bier growth here came as a result of German immigration. Bier brewing and the whole drinking mindset. Foreigners like them (such as the Irish I suppose) were against crap like prohibition, because bier was part of life, not some hoity toity thing or only for the Aqualungs of the world. Nevermind that things like Oktoberfest are pretty big over here.

 

the purity law!

its a simple concept but it sounds awesome thats why germany is beer!

i live in australia and almost all german beers i have had would rate at least "okay"

 

No one I know of. Did I imply that? Just an analogy.

 

Essentially, German brewers got their following from the very hard waters they used to brew. Harder water makes "better" beer. That seems to be a long standing tradition, which continues to the present.

 

Yeah, I thought I missed something and it was well known.

 

sausage + pretzel = Germany

 

Do you have references for that? In my experience the water can be mineral laden or fairly soft depending on where you are. In Southern Bavaria alkalinity is more of an issue.