German beer the best varieties

German beer brands.

The best German beers. Top 10 most popular beer brands in Germany:

1. Oettinger
2. Krombacher
3. Bitburger
4. Beck's
5. Warsteiner
6. Hasseröder
7. Veltins
8. Paulaner
9. Radeberger
10. Erdinger

There are hundreds of German beer brands. Among the endless number of varieties of foamy drink that are produced in German cities, there are known all over the world, and there are those that are known only in two neighboring quarters. We have compiled a list of the most popular brands, those who sell beer more than others in Germany.

Some breweries have made it to the top 10 based on investments from multinational corporations, others - due to long-term traditions, some - due to effective and rational marketing. But in all cases, behind the top ten numbers of the best-selling German beer brands, there is always a high-quality drink, proven for decades and even centuries of daily consumption by such demanding connoisseurs as the Germans.

And the fact that the Germans understand beer is beyond doubt. For the German people, beer is one of the symbols of self-identification. Both for their federal state and for the whole country, the Germans see beer as a product that unites the nation.

Germany's prestige in brewing is undeniable, and Germany is considered the international capital of beer.

German beer brands: features of different types

The most popular varieties among the Germans are pilsners... The name comes from the Czech city of Pilsen, where beer has been produced since the 13th century, but the variety that made this city famous throughout the world appeared in the middle of the 19th century. Pilsen is located in Bohemia, not far from Germany, so the local brewing methods quickly spread to German territory and became entrenched among the Germans.

German pilsners (sometimes written with a soft sign - pilsners) have a light golden color and a mild hop aroma. The malt in them is slightly more noticeable than in conventional lagers, that is, the bottom-fermented varieties, which include the Pilsners themselves. And German brands contain slightly more hops than similar Czech varieties.

There are also other popular brands of German beer. For example, various kelshi (Kölsch) have been produced in western Germany for centuries. The homeland of this variety is the city of Cologne. Kelsh have a sweet malt flavor with a distinct fruity and yeast aroma due to the initial top fermentation.

The 19th century brought fashion for a new type of beer to Germany from England - ale... Bavarian ales were German brewers' answer to the British brew sweeping the country. The Munich people have adapted the ales to their taste. Bavarian ales have a more straw color and taste different from English ones.

Before the arrival of ale on the German beer scene, dark dunkelbirs (Dunkelbier). Dunkels have reddish and brown hues and are noticeably sweeter than other brands.

There are strong varieties under the name side (Bock). They are characterized by a strength of 6% alcohol, and some doppelbocks reach up to 12-13%. Additional malt is used in the preparation of these varieties, resulting in a caramel flavor with a pronounced malt base.

Finally, there are brands of German beer that are made from wheat, the so-called weissbier (Weißbier) or white beer. Weissbiers are light straw to white in color and are often sold unfiltered by manufacturing companies.

There are a variety of white beer recipes around the world.For example, in Belgium they are cooked with coriander and orange peels. But typically Bavarian Weissbiers have a tangible fruity aroma of banana, clove, and a slight, like a medical scent.

These are the sorts and brands of German beer produced and popular in the capital of world brewing - Germany. Of course, here we have named the features of only some of the species. The best way to understand their recipe, aroma and taste is, of course, to compare in practice. We hope our notes will be useful to you in this matter.

Articles on topics Germany, Berlin and beer

Many people probably know that beer is an integral part of German culture.... This drink can be called practically national for Germany. German beer is renowned for its rich variety of varieties and flavors. But at the same time, in the manufacture of manufacturers follow a single standard - "decree on the purity of beer", which will be discussed below. As for the amount of drunk drink consumed per capita, the Germans are second only to the inhabitants of the Czech Republic and Austria. Despite this, they far bypass representatives of other countries of the world, including Russia. Let's take a closer look at the beer culture in Germany and the main German beers.

A bit of history

This intoxicating drink was first mentioned in Bavaria. This mention dates back to 736. And after 30 years, an officially certified letter appeared - an agreement for the supply of products from the city of Geisingen to the St. Gallen temple. Having appeared in Bavaria, the love for beer gradually began to spread throughout the state. Trade began to develop, and in parallel with this, it became necessary to somehow unify production, set prices and quality standards. In addition, the German government tried to reduce the cost of wheat, which was very valuable, forcing brewers to make the drink from cheap barley.

In 1516, Bavarian Duke Wilhelm IV issued the famous decree "On the purity of beer", which had to be signed by brewers. The list of ingredients was limited to only barley malt, hops and water. After some time, brewer's yeast was added to this list.

Sorts and types of German beer

German wheat beer includes the following beers:

• Weissbier is distinguished by the presence of fruity notes in the taste. The fortress of this variety is 5-5.4%.
• Weissbokbier is a strong wheat beer, the strength of which reaches 6-10%.
• Rye beer is distinguished by its pronounced "bread" flavor. The fortress of this wheat variety is 4.5-6%.
• Berliner Weisse is a light and sour variety with an ABV of less than 2.8%. This variety is very popular in Berlin.
• Leipziger Gose is also considered a sour wheat beer, but salt is also added to it. The strength of the drink is 4-5%.
• Hefeweizen is an unfiltered wheat variety with a yeast flavor. Its strength is 5-5.5%.
• Crystallweizen is the same variety as the previous one, only filtered.
• Kottbusser is considered the original foamy drink. It contains oats, honey, molasses. This variety is especially popular in the city of Cottbus. The strength of beer is 5-6%.

Light German beers:

Same

• Altbier is produced in the city of Düsseldorf and the Rhine lowlands. As for the taste of this light variety, it can be either bitter-intoxicating or intensely bitter. The fortress is 5-6.5%.
• The export is not a product of other countries, as it might seem from the name. This variety is produced in the city of Dortmund. In the 1950s, it was the most popular beer in the entire country. The drink is full-bodied, malty to taste. The fortress is 5%.
• Helles is a Bavarian variation of the malt drink. The strength of beer is no more than 5%.
• Kölsch is produced exclusively in the city of Cologne. Bitter hop flavor. The fortress is 4.8%.
• Maybock is a strong light beer. It is also worth noting that this drink is only released in the spring.The amount of alcohol is 6.5-7%.
• March beer is produced mainly for Oktoberfest. It can be both dark and light. The alcohol content in the drink is 5.2-6%. There is a hop flavor.
• Pilsner comprises two thirds of the entire German market. This variety has been produced since 1842. Differs in its bitter hop flavor. The fortress is 4.5-5%.
• Special light golden color. The taste is slightly sweet, there is a slight bitterness. The fortress is 5.5-5.7%.

Dark German beers:

• Bock has a bittersweet, full-bodied flavor. The beer is pretty strong. The fortress is 6-8%.
• Doppelbock is even stronger than the previous dark variety. Its strength is 7-12%.
• Dunkel is distinguished by its caramel-malt flavor. The drink contains 4.5-6% alcohol.
• Schwarzbier is considered a traditional drink for mining craftsmen and ordinary workers. This variety of dark beer is famous for its chocolate notes and rich black color. Despite this, the strength of the drink is moderate and amounts to only 4.5-5%.

Germany unfiltered beer

All unfiltered lagers in Germany have their own name - Kellerbier. At the same time, they can be very different from each other in terms of strength and color. There is also a light sparkling unfiltered beer called Zwickelbier. It should be noted that this variety is rarely exported to other countries, therefore it is popular only in Germany. The fortress of Zwickelbir does not exceed 5%. Previously, this name was given to the first portion of unfiltered drink, which was sampled from the barrel by the owner of the brewery.

Other types of German hop

In addition to the above, there are several more categories of intoxicating drink:

• Biobir is a beer that is made only from natural ingredients of organic origin without the use of any additives.
• Rauchbier is often referred to as the "smoked" drink that is produced in Bamberg. The drink has a pronounced smoky aftertaste. The fortress is 5%.
• Festbier is made exclusively for various festivals.
• Rozhdestvenskoe, as a rule, is supplied with various spices and is distinguished by its red color. The strength of the drink is 6-7.5%.

The most popular brands of German hop

For now, let's take a look at the top-selling beer brands from Germany:

• Oettinger has gained such popularity thanks to its low-cost segment. The company specializes in a drink for everyone.
• Krombacher is a former market leader that ceded its position in 2004 to the brand described above. This company produces the most popular Pilsner in Germany.
• Bitburger, despite the fact that it ranks third in the list of popular brands of German hop, is considered "draft beer No. 1".
• Beck's is a traditional Bremen brand. Since 2002, it has been part of the Interbrew concern.
• Warsteiner is considered one of the oldest German hop brands. It has been on the market since 1753.
• Hasseroder is another member of the famous Interbrew concern. The history of the brand dates back to the end of the 19th century.
• Veltins began production in 1824 as a small brewery. The brand currently sells about 3 million hectoliters of beverage annually.
• Paulaner is a Munich-based brewery and one of the six main factories that supply the drink to Oktoberfest.
• Radeberger was founded in 1872 and specializes only in Pilsners.
• Erdinger is considered the largest brewery in the world that specializes in the production of wheat beers.

How to drink correctly

Many Germans argue that drinking a hoppy drink is a real art.... In this case, it is necessary to adhere to several clear rules that have been passed from one generation to another since the Middle Ages.

First of all, it should be noted that this drink is not consumed from glass bottles.... For an intoxicated drink, you need to choose a special glass, which is chosen with special scrupulousness. Let's look at the most important rules for using German hop:

• The product should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 10 degrees. In this case, the drink should always be chilled. Otherwise, he will lose all his not only taste, but also recipe.
• Before you start drinking, the drink from the bottle must be poured into a clean glass. In this case, the beer glass must be wrinkled with a minimum amount of detergent. After washing, wipe the dishes with a clean towel.
• Each type of German hop has its own glass, so its choice should be approached responsibly.
• The glass is filled at an angle so that the entire glass is not filled with foam.
• Beer is exactly the kind of drink that should not be mixed with other types of alcoholic beverages. It remains only to choose a variety and enjoy the aroma and drink intoxicated in small sips.

Regardless, each person uses a hoppy drink differently, so drink it however you like. The main thing here is to stop on time.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that German beer needs to be experienced well.... According to statistics, half of the people in Germany who drink beer drink it for one reason - they like the taste of the drink itself. The rest of the residents drink alcoholic drinks for the company or just to relax and get drunk. German beer can be called a real treasure in a deep and interesting history. And we, the inhabitants of Russia, must learn the culture of drinking this alcoholic beverage from the founders of brewing.

Attention, only TODAY!

In Germany there is a wide variety of varieties beer, both distributed only regionally, and sold throughout the country.

History

In Germany, for the first time in 736, in the Bavarian Geisenfeld, they talked about a special "barley juice".

In 766, in the first beer charter of the world, an agreement was signed for the delivery of beer from the city of Geisingen to the monastery of St. Gallen. Monasteries played an important role in the production of beer in the Middle Ages. Many well-known brands of beer today are named after religious orders, such as Paulaner (Paulans) or Franziskaner (Franciscans). At first, beer was brewed only in southern Germany, later it became so popular that it began to be produced throughout the country.

On April 23, 1516, the Bavarian Duke Wilhelm IV issued a decree on the purity of beer, which since 1919 is valid throughout Germany. The decree states that only malt, hops, yeast and water are allowed for brewing beer. The world's first food quality law was born. In 1906, the law extended to the entire German Empire and remained in force until 1987. Since then, it has been allowed to import beer that does not comply with the standards proclaimed in the Quality Law if its ingredients are specified.

1888 in Munich riots and outrages occurred due to slight increases in the price of beer. At the same time, in the taverns, the guests behaved in such a way that neither the tables nor the chairs remained intact. These events went down in history under the name Salvatorschlacht (Battle of the Salvator Brewery).

Also, the events of 1923 in Bavaria, known as the "Beer Hall Putsch".

Beer varieties

On the right is unfiltered wheat beer ("Hefeweizen"), on the left is filtered ("Kristallweizen")

• Pilsner (German Pils or Pilsener) - bottom-fermented beer. It is more or less bitter and contains 4 to 4.8% alcohol. It is sold throughout Germany, but especially in Northern Germany. For the first time this beer was brewed in Bohemia in the city of Pilsen on October 5, 1842.
• Wheat beer (Weizen, Weissbier) (German Weizen, Weissbier) - top-fermented fermented wheat beer with an alcohol content of 5 to 5.4%. Brewed from a mixture of wheat and barley malt, it has a fruity spicy taste and is common especially in southern Germany. This is usually a cloudy (unfiltered) beer. Varieties: dark wheat beer (Dunkelweizen, German Dunkelweizen), filtered wheat beer (Kristallweizen, German Kristallweizen).
• Altbier (German Altbier or short Alt) gets its name from the Latin word altus (above). During fermentation, the yeast remains on top. So - top-fermented beer. Tastes like hops. Like Pilsner, the Alt contains about 4.8% alcohol. Its "homeland" is Düsseldorf and the lower course of the Rhine.
• Kölsch (German Kölsch) is the name of a special beer that is brewed in the city of Cologne. This top-fermented beer has a slightly bitter taste and hops. The alcohol content is 4.8%.
• Black beer (Schwarzbier) (German Schwarzbier) named for its color. Bottom-fermented beer has between 4.8 and 5% alcohol. Originally produced in East Germany. But if we talk about the historical origin of this variety, then this is nothing more than Steiger beer - a drink of mountain masters (steigers) in silver mines in the mountainous regions of Thuringia, Saxony and Franconia, where legends about the treasures of the gnomes and mysterious mountain caves on the forest slopes were born. ... This beer had, in the opinion of the masters, magical properties. After the unification of Germany, the Schwarzbier variety experienced a true renaissance, and is now brewed far beyond the borders of Thuringia and other mountain regions. For example, a new Berlin brand is called "peasant" beer, that is, a drink that gives strength to hard working people.
• Berliner Weisse (German Berliner Weiße) has a slightly sour taste. The alcohol content is 2.8%, which is very little for beer. Top-fermented beer is produced in Berlin.
• Export (German Export)
• Light beer (Halles) (German Helles)
• Bock-bir, Bock (German Bock, Bockbier) - strong beer with an alcohol content of about 6-10%. Varieties: doppel-bock (German Doppelbock), May-bock (German Maibock), Weizenbock (German), ice-bock (German Eisbock)
• Zwickelbier or Kellerbier (German Zwickelbier or Zwickl, Kellerbier) is a hazy unfiltered and unpasteurized natural beer, usually of the lager type. Due to the lack of filtration and purification, it contains more yeast and has a higher nutritional value than other beers. This kind of beer is often not bottled, but served fresh in a beer garden.
• Rauchbir (German Rauchbier) - dark beer with a "smoked" taste
• Rye beer (Roggenbier) (German Roggenbier)
• March beer (Märzen) (German Märzen, Märzenbier)
• Festbir (German Festbier) - beer brewed in autumn especially for folk festivals such as Oktoberfest
• Christmas beer (Weinachtsbier) (German Weihnachtsbier) is a beer brewed specifically for festivities such as Christmas. As a rule, it is stronger than March beer (German: Märzenbier), and in terms of strength is close to Bockbier (German: Bock, Bockbier). The alcohol content of beer varies from 6 to 7.5%. As a rule, Vainakhtsbir has a dark red color. This type of beer can be attributed to festbier, which is traditionally brewed in Bavaria from November to March.

see also

• Oktoberfest
• Czech beer
• Belgian beer

Links

• The site "All about German beer" (German)
• Site "German Beer - History, Articles, Varieties, Stamps, Photos" (German)

Hello! Today I have an unusual post on my blog. Several days ago Andrey got in touch with me. It so happened that he has been living and working in Germany for 8 years, and recently he has been reading my blog. This morning he sent me an article in the mail on the history and culture of brewing in this country. I publish the article with pleasure and recommend that you familiarize yourself with it. It lists the main varieties and brands of German beer and touches on the topic of the well-known law "On the purity of beer".

Hello readers, my name is Andrey and I would like to tell you a little about such a famous country in the beer world as Germany. Some people admire the beer culture of this country, while others find it very boring. Nevertheless, I think many will be interested in learning a little new about the varieties produced in this ancient area.

A bit of history

Traditionally, it is believed that the Germans began to brew beer many thousands of years ago, and after a while, they taught this art to their neighbors - the Czechs. The vast majority of German beer brands that can be purchased today have been brewed in Germany for 700-1000 years. In the Middle Ages, various monasteries traditionally engaged in brewing, but now almost all beer is produced in modern breweries.

In 1516, the country passed the legendary law "on the purity of beer", or Reinheitsgebot.This law consisted of many different rules, but the most famous of them is the ban on the use of any ingredient in brewing except barley malt, hops, and water. Germans are still very proud of this law, and even now in Germany, almost every bottle of beer, regardless of brand, says “brewed according to the beer purity law”. Many beer experts believe that all these "beer restrictions" have only ruined the development of many beer varieties. I also agree with this statement.

Main types of beer

Well, now let's talk a little about the beers that remained until that time.

Light lager

• Helles

The most popular and at the same time the simplest beer. Helles, or "light", is sold almost everywhere, and is served in almost all establishments. The usual light lager, from which you should not expect much taste delight. The beer was first brewed by the famous Bavarian brewery Spaten in the 19th century. Initially, lovers of Bavarian beer did not take this variety very well, but it quickly caught on, and now it occupies a leading position in consumption. Helles has a color ranging from "hay" to "golden". The palate contains a moderate malt base as well as a pleasant bitterness. The classic representatives of the "light" are Spaten, Augustiner Helles, Paulaner Hell, and others.

• Pilsner

Although pilsner is traditionally considered a Czech beer, it is still a very popular style in Germany. Pilsner is a fairly simple but very interesting beer. An interesting fact is that the pilsners of the South and North of Germany are very different. South pilsner is called pilsner. This is a relatively "soft" beer (compared to its northern counterpart). Northern pilsenras are called pils. They are harder and more bitter. Good representatives of pilsner are Weinstephan Pils, Jever Pilsner, Radeberger Pilsner.

• Oktoberfestbier

I think the name of the beer speaks for itself. This beer is served in Germany at Oktoberfest. Also during the Oktoberfest (± 1 month) the bottle version is sold in most supermarkets. This is a relatively young variety, less than 200 years old. It is also called "martsen" (March), because beer is brewed in March, spent half a year in cellars, and is completely drunk by October. The drink has a higher density, and the alcohol content is 5.5-6%. Märzen has a very bright malty taste, and only a little hop is felt. In Bavaria, at the Oktoberfest itself, only the Bavarian breweries Spaten, Augustiner, Hofbräu, Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, Löwenbräu are represented. The rest are not allowed to participate.

Dark lager

• Dunkel

The name of this style is translated as "dark". The color is often dark brown, although there are also different shades of dark red, and so on. The strength usually varies between 4-6%. The beer has almost no aroma, and the taste is dominated by malt notes and light hop bitterness. Now dunkel is not as popular as it used to be, although they still drink a lot of it. The most famous representatives are Warsteiner Dunkel, Augustiner Dunkel, Ayinger Dunkel.

• Schwarzbier

Although visually the Schwarzbier looks like a dunkel, it is a completely different beer. The taste is balanced by coffee and chocolate tones, light smoke, and pleasant hop bitterness. Previously, Schwarzbier was a regional variety, and only relatively recently has it become widespread. Often, the beer has a strength of about 5%. The most famous representative is Köstritzer.

• Bock, doppelbock, and icebock

Bock is a strong, aged German beer. The dark side is best known, although there is also a light side (maibok / hellesbock). Bock begins to cook at the end of Oktoberfest, and by December it has already reached the desired condition. Usually the strength of the side is about 5.5-8%. The drink warms up just as well. The taste is dominated by caramel-fruit tones.

Doppelbock is a version of the bock with an increased strength (7-13%). This drink has almost no foam, and the aroma is very often alcoholic notes. The most famous side is the Paulaner Salvator.

An icebock is a side in which water is frozen, resulting in a thicker, stronger, and richer beer.

• Kellerbier

Although I categorized this beer as a dark lager, it has a cloudy amber color, possibly with a reddish tint. It is a draft, unfiltered and unpasteurized lager that has a pleasant yeast and bready flavor. The beer is of medium strength (4.5-5.5%), but you need to drink it fresh.

Ale

• Weissbier

Weissbier is a classic German wheat beer. It was first brewed many thousands of years ago, and it wasn't until the 18th century that it began to lose some popularity when light and dark lagers began to be mass-produced. The beer is very dense, with a beautiful head, often has a clove, gum and banana aroma. The taste usually contains the same accents as in the aroma, but a pleasant sourness and "breadiness" is added to them. Unlike other styles of beer, there is very little hop in the weissbier.

Weissbier is also dark, the color is achieved by the addition of dark and caramel malts, which, in turn, give the beer a slightly burnt flavor.

Crystalweiss is a filtered version of the Weissbier. Not a very popular variety, although it is quite easy to find in Germany.

• Weizenbock

A stronger version of a wheat beer, with a less beautiful head and a darker color than a classic weissbier. But it has a more interesting and spicy taste. The fortress is usually 8-9%. This beer has many craft variations, but Weihenstephaner Vitus is considered the most famous and benchmark.

Weizenaisbock is an even stronger and more spicy analogue of icebock.

• Altbier

A very old rare variety with interesting hop and malt notes. You can try this drink in its historical homeland - in Dusseldorf. It is the altbier that is considered the "great-grandfather" of the modern American amber ale.

• Kölsch

Kölsch is a refreshing summer light pale ale from western Germany, more specifically from Cologne and its surroundings. Kölsch is a patented trademark, therefore the original of this drink is produced only in its historical homeland.

• Dumpfbier

Steam beer from the South-East of Bavaria. The drink is a low hopped barley ale with a powerful malt flavor.

• Roggenbier

A fairly rare beer, similar to Weizen. The peculiarity of this variety is that the grist consists of 30% rye malt. The strength of this beer is about 5%. Wolnzacher Roggenbier can be called a striking representative.

• Rauchbir

Rauchbier is a whole family of different beers, the malt of which is processed with smoke, which gives the beer a bright smoky-smoked flavor. Not everyone likes this drink, although it has its own adherents. The Schlenkerla from Bamberg is considered the benchmark for rahbir.

Beer drinks

• Maltsbir

Maltsbir is a low-alcohol analogue of our kvass. The drink is quite sweet and viscous. The fortress is only 0.5% percent. And it still counts as beer. Moreover, not just beer, but a very healthy beer. Maltsbir is recommended to drink even for children and pregnant women.

• Radler

Radler is a low-alcohol blend of light beer and lemonade. Mixing ratio about 50 to 50. Alcohol content only 2-2.5%. In modern Germany, this drink is produced by most of the major beer companies.

• Russ

If the radler is a mixture of lager and lemonade, then russ is a mixture of wheat beer and lemonade in the same proportions. According to legend, Russ got its name in honor of Russian emigrants who worked in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century.

This concludes my story. Best wishes.