German brewers have applied for UNESCO World Heritage status for the beer production law that was first enforced in Bavaria in 1516. The application process may take two years, allowing the purity law to be approved by UNESCO on its 500th anniversary in 2016.
One of the groups behind the application, – the German Brewers Federation – said the law deserves to be included alongside the world’s top cultural icons. “If Germany is still regarded as the undisputed beer nation, then this is due to the purity law. It guarantees purity, quality and wholesomeness of beers produced according to this specification.”
Known in Germany as Reinheitsgebot, the purity law states that only water, malt, hops and yeast can be used for beer production. It became law Germany-wide in 1906 and, despite changes in 1993, is the oldest, still-valid food regulation in the world.
Germany currently has around 1,300 breweries and 5,000 brands of beer.
Source: BBC/BestMalz
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