How a 1516 Bavarian law still shapes modern craft brewing

History · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In sixteenth-century Bavaria, brewers were forbidden from using the flavorful additives common in modern craft brews. This video explores the origins of the Reinheitsgebot, the 'beer purity law' that continues to influence the global brewing industry today.

The Reinheitsgebot, or 'beer purity law,' was proclaimed in 1516 to ban the flavorful adulterations that were common in Bavarian brewing at the time. This historical regulation established strict standards for ingredients, creating a legacy that still impacts the industry in the present day.

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