German Beer: IPAs and the Reinheitsgebot Explained

Ja, mittlerweile schon. It's not a traditional German beer style, but you can definitely find IPAs here now.

Historically, German brewing is all about the Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) from 1516. This means only water, malt, hops, and yeast. Our traditional beers are Pils, Weizen, Helles, Dunkel, Kölsch, Altbier, and so on. IPAs, with their often complex hop profiles and sometimes other additives, didn't fit that mold for a long time.

However, the craft beer scene has really taken off in the last 10-15 years. Many younger brewers, especially, have embraced new styles, including IPAs.

You'll find them in:

• Specialized Craft Beer Bars: These are your best bet. They often have a rotating selection of German and international craft beers on tap and in bottles.
• Mikkeller Berlin
• Hopfenreich
• Tap House Munich
• Well-stocked Supermarkets: Larger grocery stores like Edeka, Rewe, or Kaufland increasingly have a "craft beer" section with various IPAs from German and sometimes international breweries.
• Dedicated Beer Shops: Places that specialize in bottled beers from smaller breweries.

Some German craft breweries that make good IPAs include:

• Crew Republic (from Munich)
• BRLO (from Berlin)
• Kehrwieder Kreativbrauerei (from Hamburg)
• Schneider Weisse (yes, even traditional breweries are experimenting now with things like their Tap X series)

Many Germans still prefer their traditional Pils or Weizen. Some find IPAs "too bitter" (zu bitter) or "too hoppy" (zu viel Hopfen). But for those who like it, there's a growing selection. It's a bit of a "hipster" thing for some, but good quality craft beer is just good quality beer, no matter the style.