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Edelweiss German Restaurant
Biergarten History!

Why are “genuine” beer gardens found only in Bavaria?

The reason dates to the Bavarian beer brewing law (Bayerische Brauordnung) of 1539: In that uncommonly dry, hot year, the danger of fire prompted officials to prohibit beer brewing (a process that requires large vats of mash to be boiled over large fires) between early May and late September. Wise brewers set aside stocks of beer to sell during the “dry” summer months, but then needed a way to keep their kegs cool. One solution was to store the beer in cellars along the banks of the Isar River, which cuts a broad swath through Munich. But the high groundwater table in that vicinity meant the cellars could not be dug to the required depths. So, brewers planted stands of trees and harvested ice from nearby lakes to create cooled and shaded storage for their product. Although the brewers had hoped to sell their beer directly to customers, established innkeepers and publicans frowned upon this threat to their business. A compromise was reached that holds to this day: Brewers may serve beer and patrons may bring their own food. Although modern beer gardens offer fresh pretzels (Brez’n), Bavarian-style meat loaf (Leberkäs) and radishes (Radi), among other traditional snacks, picnickers are quite welcome to bring their meals- and many locals do.

The "Reinheitsgebot":  GERMANY"S PURITY LAW

 Following is an English translation of the Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law) adopted in 1516, the 
oldest provision still enforced to protect the consumer. This is taken from the article "History of German 
" by Karl J. Eden, published in 'zymurgy' magazine, Vol. 16, No. 4 Special 1993. 
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"We hereby proclaim and decree, by Authority of our Province, that henceforth in the Duchy of Bavaria, 
in the country as well as in the cities and marketplaces, the following rules apply to the sale of beer: 
"From Michaelmas to Georgi, the price for one Mass [Bavarian Liter 1,069] or one Kopf [bowl-shaped 
container for fluids, not quite one Mass], is not to exceed one Pfennig Munich value, and "From Georgi 
to Michaelmas, the Mass shall not be sold for more than two Pfennig of the same value, the Kopf not 
more than three Heller [Heller usually one-half Pfennig]. "If this not be adhered to, the punishment stated 
below shall be administered. 

 "Should any person brew, or otherwise have, other beer than March beer, it is not to be sold any higher 
than one Pfennig per Mass. 

 "Furthermore, we wish to emphasize that in future in all cities, markets and in the country, the only 
ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be Barley, Hops and Water. Whosoever knowingly 
disregards or transgresses upon this ordinance, shall be punished by the Court authorities' confiscating 
such barrels of beer, without fail. 

"Should, however, an innkeeper in the country, city or markets buy two or three pails of beer (containing 
60 Mass) and sell it again to the common peasantry, he alone shall be permitted to charge one Heller 
more for the Mass of the Kopf, than mentioned above. Furthermore, should there arise a scarcity and 
subsequent price increase of the barley (also considering that the times of harvest differ, due to location), 
WE, the Bavarian Duchy, shall have the right to order curtailments for the good of all concerned." 

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