German-Style Beer: Available In The United States?

German-style beers are widely available in the United States, with over 70 local and regional German beer brands sold across the country. Popular German brands such as Bitburger, Beck's, and Paulaner can be found in many American stores, and German beer as a category is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. While the US has complex liquor laws that make it difficult to determine which brands are available in specific towns or establishments, German-style beers can be purchased at restaurants and retailers across the country.

German beer brands available in the US

German beer is any beer that's made in Germany, and German-style beer refers to beers, produced anywhere in the world, that follow the laws of production that govern beer-brewing in Germany. There are over 70 German beer brands available in the United States.

Some German beer brands available in the US include:

• Stuttgarter Hofbräu
• Rothaus Zäpfle
• Tyskie
• Beck's
• Bitburger
• Paulaner
• Weihenstephaner
• Spaten
• Ayinger
• Radeberger Pils
• Erdinger
• Andechser
• Augustiner Bräu
• Flensburger
• Franziskaner
• DAB
• Einbecker
• Hacker-Pschorr
• Hofbräu
• Köstritzer
• Löwenbräu
• St. Pauli Girl
• Warsteiner
• Weltenburger Pils
• Würzburger

The availability of these brands varies across the US, and some states have stricter laws governing beer distribution than others.

German beer laws

The 1516 Bavarian law stated that the only ingredients that could be used in beer production were water, barley, and hops. Yeast was not mentioned as an ingredient, although it was knowingly used in the brewing process at the time. The role of yeast in the brewing process was only recognised in the 19th century, and it was later added to the modern versions of the law.

The Bavarian order of 1516 was introduced to prevent price competition with bakers for wheat and rye, thus reserving wheat and rye for bakers. The rule may have also had a protectionist role, as beers from Northern Germany often contained additives that could not be grown in Bavaria. Religious conservatism may have also played a role in the adoption of the rule, suppressing the use of plants that were used in pagan rituals.

The Reinheitsgebot remains the most famous law regulating the brewing of beer, influencing brewing not only in Germany but around the world. Beers brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot have special status under European Union laws as a protected traditional foodstuff. However, some German brewers are unhappy with the restrictions, arguing that they lead to uniformity and encourage industrial-scale production rather than innovation.

German lager beers

Lagers are a type of beer that utilize bottom-fermenting yeasts that thrive at cooler temperatures. German lager beers can be found in many different styles, including the full-yet-refreshing helles, the rich and smoky rauchbier, the fruity hefeweizen, and the crisp kölsch.

Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, for example, is a classic-style brew from the world's oldest brewery, Weihenstephan, and is considered by some to be the best overall German lager. It has tasting notes of banana, clove, and cinnamon, and is perfect for a Sunday morning frühschoppen (early pint) with weisswurst, sweet mustard, and a pretzel.

Another popular German lager is Paulaner Salvator Doppel Bock, which is considered the granddaddy of all doppelbocks. It was first produced by Franciscan monks in the 17th century and has tasting notes of chocolate, figs, and spicy hops. It has a rich, malty, sweet flavour and is best enjoyed during Lent.

Other notable German lager beers include Augustiner-Bräu Edelstoff, which is Munich's oldest independent brewery dating back to 1328, and their Edelstoff helles is one of their most popular offerings. It has tasting notes of hay, biscuit, and honey.

German pilsner

German immigrants played a significant role in the history of pilsner beer in the United States, with some of the first breweries in the country being established in the 1800s by Germans specialising in brewing pilsner. Over the years, American craft brewers have continued to experiment with and put their own spin on the classic German style.

Today, there are numerous German pilsners available in the United States, including Beck's, Bitburger Premium Pilsner, Carlsberg, Radeberger Pilsner, Warsteiner Premium Pilsener, and Yuengling Golden Pilsner, among others. These beers can be found at various retailers and restaurants across the country, offering beer enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the distinctive taste of German pilsner.

German-style beers brewed in America

Although German beer is renowned worldwide, German-style beers are also brewed in the United States. The German lager, for example, has found a home in Michelin-starred restaurants and garages alike. In fact, Budweiser is a lager, and lager is one of the most popular styles of beer in Germany.

The German-inspired Gemüt Biergarten in Columbus, Ohio, is one such place that brews German-style beers. Its director of brewing operations, Rob Camstra, and head brewer, Nick Guyton, say:

> "There will always be room for well-made lagers in the world of American craft beer, and this is being increasingly proven by more and more breweries producing them and more and more craft beer fans seeking them out. A big part of our focus at Gemüt is that we do not want to chase trends: clean, well-crafted lagers are a family of beer styles that are timeless."

Another example is the Beck's brand, which was originally Germany's leading export beer until the brand was purchased by Anheuser Busch Inbev. Beck's in the US is now brewed in St. Louis, Missouri.

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