--- title: An introduction to German beers description: Learn about the history of German beers, the 500-year-old Beer Purity Law still in effect today, and the different German beer styles enjoyed worldwide. image: https://blog.typsy.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/German%20Beers%20-%20Blog.png --- [Turn guest feedback into action with ReviewLearn ![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/arrow-right.svg)](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/reviewlearn) ![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/user-profile-circle.svg) LOGIN [Member](https://member.typsy.com/) [Manager](https://manager.typsy.com/) | [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/headphones-white.svg) CONTACT US](https://www.typsy.com/contact) [![Typsy Brand](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/typsy-public-website/New_Typsy_Logo_Red_PMS.svg)](https://www.typsy.com/) [BOOK A DEMO](https://www.typsy.com/contact/demo) [![Typsy](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/typsy-public-website/New_Typsy_Logo_Red_PMS.svg)](https://www.typsy.com/) [Search courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses) - Platform Platform [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/trusted-content-at-scale.svg) Trusted content at scale The world's largest and fastest-growing hospitality library.](https://www.typsy.com/platform/hospitality-training-library) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/global-hospitalility-credentials.svg) Global hospitality credentials Industry-recognized Typsy credentials validating real-world hospitality capability.](https://www.typsy.com/platform/hospitality-certifications) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/performance-intellgience.svg) Performance intelligence AI-powered intelligence that connects learning to measurable operational performance.](https://www.typsy.com/platform/performance-intelligence) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/hospitality-learning-operations.svg) Hospitality learning operations Infrastructure that embeds workforce capability into daily hospitality operations at scale.](https://www.typsy.com/platform/learning-operations) Innovation & Tools [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/reviewlearn.svg) ReviewLearn](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/reviewlearn) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/smartcards.svg) SmartCards](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/smartcards) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/custom-content.svg) Custom content](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/custom-content) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/language-translations.svg) Language translations](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/language-translations) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/reporting.svg) Reporting](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/reporting) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/activities.svg) Activities](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/activities) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/assign-training.svg) Assign training](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/assign-training) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/nav_bar_svg_310x200/reviewlearn-pink.svg) ReviewLearn Turn guest reviews into targeted training automatically. 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TRY THE CALCULATOR](https://www.typsy.com/roi-calculator) - [Pricing](https://www.typsy.com/pricing) [SIGN UP](https://www.typsy.com/pricing) [BOOK A DEMO](https://www.typsy.com/contact/demo) [Help Center](https://intercom.help/typsy/en/)[Contact Us](https://www.typsy.com/contact) Restaurants & Bars # An introduction to German beers [Ivana Rnjak](https://blog.typsy.com/author/ivana-rnjak) Feb 11, 2018 --- While much has changed throughout humanity’s long history, one thing has remained the same for millennia: our love of beer. Humans have been brewing beer longer than we’ve been baking bread! Beer is thought to have originated in Ancient Sumer and most likely reached Europe sometime late in the Bronze Age, with brewing beginning in Germany. It’s no surprise that Germans were probably the first to brew in Europe, given the prominence of beer in German culture. ## German beers  – a quick overview  Germany ranks third in the world for beer consumption. The country produces over 5000 styles of beer in its 1400 breweries, amounting to 95.8 million hectolitres of beer annually. Germany is home of the largest beer festival in the world (Oktoberfest) and the creator of the Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot), which after 500 years is still in effect. In the Middle Ages, beer brewing changed from a domestic activity to a commercial enterprise. This change was largely thanks to German monks who introduced hops to the brewing process, improving the taste and quality of beer while acting as a natural preservative. Additionally, Germans improved the equipment used in the process, which allowed for more frequent brewing on a larger scale, leading to skyrocketing beer consumption. --- Watch the German Beer course on [Typsy.com](https://www.typsy.com/courses/german-beers?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Social+media&utm_campaign=Blog+banner&utm_id=Blog) [![Typsy online hospitality training and learning platform at typsy.com](https://blog.typsy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Typsy%20online%20hospitality%20training%20and%20learning%20platform%20at%20typsy.com.png?width=600&name=Typsy%20online%20hospitality%20training%20and%20learning%20platform%20at%20typsy.com.png)](https://www.typsy.com/courses/german-beers?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Social+media&utm_campaign=Blog+banner&utm_id=Blog)   --- ## **The Reinheitsgebot – Germany’s Beer Purity Law** In 1516, the Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law) was adopted in Bavaria. This centuries-old set of regulations is still in effect today, though slightly modernized. The Reinheitsgebot stated that the only ingredients allowed for beer brewing were water, barley and hops. Yeast was later added once its important role in the brewing process was realized. There were a number of reasons for the implementation of the Beer Purity Law but two are perhaps most important. The first was about beer quality. By specifying the three allowed ingredients, the law banned nasty additives. The second was about grain price competition. Because bread couldn’t be made with barley, the exclusive use of it for beer stopped the prices of wheat and rye from escalating. By the mid-1500s, the law was loosened to allow for the use of other ingredients, such as wheat and coriander, allowing for the thriving wheat beer industry in Germany. ![German Beers - Blog.png](https://blog.typsy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/German%20Beers%20-%20Blog.png?width=632&height=340&name=German%20Beers%20-%20Blog.png) While many regional brewing traditions were sadly lost as a result of this law (notably spiced and cherry beer), some survived and continue to be popular today including the Kölsch, Gose and Altbier. In 2005, German courts decided that the brewing and sale of beer which did not follow the Reinheitsgebot would be allowed – as long as it was not called beer. Beers brewed according to Reinheitsgebot are regarded as beers of the highest quality. As only four ingredients are used, the brewing process requires great skill and creativity. It plays a powerful marketing tool today. With the craft beer market on the rise in Germany, many are ditching the Reinheitsgebot due to the limitations it places on brewers who want to experiment with many natural ingredients. --- ## **Oktoberfest – The world’s largest beer festival** This year will mark 185 years of Oktoberfest celebrations. Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world, held annually in Munich where millions converge to celebrate German beer. In many cities across the globe, festivities modelled on Munich’s Oktoberfest are also held annually. Only six breweries create the beers available at Oktoberfest: Spaten, Löwenbräu, Augustiner-Bräu, Hofbräu-München, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. This is because all beer sold at Oktoberfest must be brewed in Munich and in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot. ![An introduction to German beers, Oktoberfest.jpeg](https://blog.typsy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/An%20introduction%20to%20German%20beers%2c%20Oktoberfest.jpeg?width=632&height=420&name=An%20introduction%20to%20German%20beers%2c%20Oktoberfest.jpeg) --- ## **Popular German beer styles** Given that Germany produces over 5000 styles of beer, no one expects servers and bartenders to be well-versed on each one. But there are some stand-out favorites you should become familiar with. ### **Pilsner** The pilsner style is the most popular in Germany, with a market share of about 60%. Interestingly, the pilsner style was created back in 1842 in modern-day Czech Republic. It is named after the city where it originated. The pilsner style is hugely popular worldwide. This is an easy-drinking, refreshing, golden-colored lager which pairs well with most foods. The German pilsner is less bitter, has a lighter color and a bit more body than its Czech counterpart. ### **Bock** Bock is a strong lager brewed in many different styles, such as the **doppelbock** (the stronger version, almost black in color), **maibock** (also known as **helles**, it is the paler and hoppier version) and **eisbock** (the very dark, very heavy version which is made by freezing water out of beer, resulting in a much boozier drink). Bocks are malty and toasty in aroma and flavor but still have that lager crispness. Legend has it that German monks survived long periods of fasting by drinking bock! While a pint of bock can feel like a meal in itself, it pairs very well with meat and other hearty foods. ### **Weissbier** Wheat beer is brewed with a larger portion (at least 50%) of wheat than barley, resulting in a fruity aroma and flavor, with prominent banana and clove notes. In Belgium and the Netherlands, it is known as *witbier.* German law dictates that wheat beers must be top-fermented, meaning wheat beers are all ales. **Hefeweizen** are unfiltered, while **Kristallweizen** are filtered. Dark (**Dunkelweizen**) and strong (**Weizenbock**) wheat beers are also brewed. **Berliner Weisse** is a sour wheat beer which is low in alcohol and unique in flavor. **Gose** is a wheat beer famous for the addition of coriander and salt, resulting in a spiced, citrusy flavor profile. ### **Kölsch** Kölsch is a medium-bodied and top-fermented pale beer which by law must be brewed in the Cologne region of Germany. This style of beer is warm fermented then conditioned by lagering at colder temperatures. It has a fruity aroma and is low in hoppiness. ### **Altbier** Altiber is a Düsseldorf speciality. It is fermented cooler than most ales and conditioned at a colder temperature too, creating a rich, nutty character with a dark copper color. ### **Märzen** Märzen is a type of larger which originated in Bavaria back in the 1500s thanks to a law which allowed for beer brewing to occur only between September and April. Märzen means “March” and was named after the month during which brewing would accelerate in the lead up to the brewing ban. These are malty lagers which vary in color, from pale to amber to brown and are famously served at Oktoberfest celebrations.    **Want to learn more about German beers? [Check out our course](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses/german-beers/) with the 2011 World Champion of Beer Sommeliers and head brewer at Brauhaus Riegele, [Sebastian Priller](https://www.typsy.com/instructors/sebastian-priller/). ** **You might also like** | [![The best beer websites and resources-1.png](https://blog.typsy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20best%20beer%20websites%20and%20resources-1.png?width=202&height=115&name=The%20best%20beer%20websites%20and%20resources-1.png)](https://blog.typsy.com/the-best-beer-websites-and-resources) [**The best beer websites and resources**](https://blog.typsy.com/the-best-beer-websites-and-resources) | [![A brief history of Oktoberfest-1.png](https://blog.typsy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/A%20brief%20history%20of%20Oktoberfest-1.png?width=202&height=115&name=A%20brief%20history%20of%20Oktoberfest-1.png)](https://blog.typsy.com/a-brief-history-of-oktoberfest) **[A brief history of Oktoberfest](https://blog.typsy.com/a-brief-history-of-oktoberfest)** | [![Beer 101 - The Basics-1.png](https://blog.typsy.com/hubfs/Beer%20101%20-%20The%20Basics-1.png)](https://blog.typsy.com/beer-101-the-basics) **[Beer 101 – The basics](https://blog.typsy.com/beer-101-the-basics)** | | --- | --- | --- |   --- | ![Ivana Rnjak.png](https://blog.typsy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Ivana%20Rnjak.png?width=170&height=170&name=Ivana%20Rnjak.png) | **Ivana Rnjak** is a Content Writer at **[Typsy](http://www.typsy.com)**. A waitress and bartender in a previous life, Ivana is an aspiring academic with an unwavering love of brunch – no matter what Anthony Bourdain says! | | --- | --- | [Restaurants & Bars](https://blog.typsy.com/topic/restaurants-bars) [Hospitality trends](https://blog.typsy.com/topic/hospitality-trends) [Team performance](https://blog.typsy.com/topic/team-performance) ## Similar posts Typsy news ### [New mentor session: Sebastian Priller](https://blog.typsy.com/new-mentor-session-sebastian-priller) Find out how Brauhaus Riegele has found success in the German beer market for over 600 years, with insights from its head brewer Sebastian Priller. Ivana Rnjak Jan 21, 2018 Typsy news ### [Online course: German beers with Sebastian Priller](https://blog.typsy.com/online-german-beer-course) Learn your German beer basics in our new online beer course with Sebastian Priller, the head brewer at Riegele and the 2011 World Champion of Beer... Ivana Rnjak Dec 12, 2017 Typsy news ### [Beer 101 – the basics](https://blog.typsy.com/beer-101-the-basics) Your guide to mastering beer basics. We look at beer history, ingredients, brewing process, and different styles of beer. It's all about ales and... Ivana Rnjak Jan 23, 2017 ### Get notified on new marketing insights Be the first to know about new B2B SaaS Marketing insights to build or refine your marketing function with the tools and knowledge of today’s industry. 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