German Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot)
The world's oldest food safety law, regulating beer production in Germany since 1516.
About German Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot)
The German Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) is the world's oldest food safety law still in effect today, originally enacted in Bavaria in 1516. This groundbreaking legislation decreed that beer could only be brewed using four ingredients: water, hops, malt, and later yeast (after its role in fermentation was understood).
Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria introduced the law to ensure the quality of beer and protect consumers from potentially harmful additives that were sometimes used by unscrupulous brewers. The law also served economic purposes, reserving wheat and rye for bread production and preventing food shortages.
The Reinheitsgebot has shaped German brewing culture for over 500 years and continues to influence beer production today. While modern German beer law has evolved to allow additional approved ingredients for certain beer styles, the spirit of the purity law remains central to German brewing identity.
German breweries take great pride in following traditional brewing methods, and many still voluntarily adhere to the original four-ingredient formula. This commitment to purity and quality has made German beer renowned worldwide and established Germany as one of the world's premier beer-producing nations.
The law has been extended throughout Germany and remains a source of national pride, symbolizing German dedication to quality, tradition, and craftsmanship. Today, Germany produces over 1,500 different beer varieties from approximately 1,400 breweries, all operating under the principles established by this historic legislation.