Beer Styles: Social attitude, religion, politics impact beer style - part 20

Religion and beer has always been a relationship that has endured.
Brew kettles at Belgium's Westmalle Trappist brewery. Photo by
Charlie Papazian

Political, social and religious factors have significant influence on beer character.  Here are a few examples:

• The monasteries and other religious cultures of Western Europe developed types of beer, which harmonized with their religious observances.
• The German Purity Law of 1516, often referred to as the Reinheitsgebot, had a major influence in developing styles of all-malt beer. 
• The current Nigerian ban on barley importation has resulted in the development of light lagers brewed from malted sorghum.
• The British colonization of India centuries ago created a unique style of beer; a beer more stable during its exportation to other parts of the world.
• In cultures where alcohol has been identified as a social problem, sometimes governments overreact with excessive taxes and brewers have had to develop types of beer to stay within the limits of the laws. 

Next: Beer Styles: Socio-political bock and India pale ale – part 21

 Guide to entire 27-part Beer Style Series - table of contents