In most Western European countries beer has to be made by the standards of the monks traditional recepie. Enacted in 1516.
Some brewers substitute rice, maize, sorghum, or other, most
cost-effective raw cereal for barley in the initial stage, (like EACH AND EVERY US BEER MAKER). The
German beer purity law, or Reinheitsgebot, allows no such
substitutes.
Based upon Bavarian custom, an official law was
first enacted in 1516 then modified in March 1952
(Bundesgesetzblatt, or federal law) and September 1980
(Zollaenderunggesetz, or Customs Law Amendment). It originally
exclusively allowed the sale of beer with three ingredients
(water, hops, and barley) but was later revised to allow yeast.
BUT to be called "German Bier" it has to be made by the 1516 standard, otherwise it is just plain old beer, could be made in Germany, but not called German Bier.
The Czechs have a simular law, they have been off and on over the centuries, tied in real strong with Bavaria. The Belgiand have a real good standard too. They even have a famous monistary where the monks make and sell beer............................had some in 1986, it was a good brew
