Happy Reinheitsgebot Day

In 1516 a law was passed in Germany: the Reinheitsgebot, the purity law. Here is the law as it was passed 492 years ago by Wilhelm IV (if you can read German, the document is above):

"In all cities, markets, and in the country, the only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be Barley, Hops and Water. Whosoever knowingly disregards or transgresses upon this ordinance, shall be punished by the Court authorities' confiscating such barrels of beer, without fail."

Sadly, this was repealed in 1987, but most breweries still adhere to the spirit of the Reinheitsgebot (laws have been since passed to recapture the purity law, the Biergesetz, so anything that does not include the rudimentary elements are not allowed to be called "bier"). As a side-note, most American beer uses corn instead of barley -- as if we did not get enough corn in our diets. According to the Reinheitsgebot, such beer should be confiscated, without fail.

So life a pint up to our German volk this week for their unfailing commitment to simplicity and purity.