World's oldest brewery collaborates with American craft brewer

"Don't mess with my beer."  Will German beer drinkers take kindly to Brauerei
Weihenstephan & Bostson Beer Company collaborative "champagne-like" beer? Photo
by Charlie Papazian.

Their beers are brewed strictly to the German Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law of 1516 which effectively prohibits all ingredients other than malt, water and hops (and yeast) in beer. 

Now Boston Beer Company, makers of Samuel Adams is collaborating with Weihenstephan to produce a unique specialty beer they claim the world has yet to experience.  Founded 25 years ago Boston Beer Company was among a few dozen American microbreweries that were pioneering the idea of craft beer from small and independent American breweries.

American craft brewers currently number at 1,525.  Independent small German brewers number significantly less than a thousand.  Two great beer traditions continue to inspire the imagination of beer drinkers across the world.  American craft brewers are on the cutting edge with new ideas.  German brewers maintain their centuries old beer traditions.  Both have heart and soul.  A match made in beer heaven was meant to be.

Photo left: Brewhouse at Weihenstephan prepares to visit the frontiers of the Reinheitsgebot. Photo by Charlie Papazian.

With the announced collaboration the two breweries are endeavoring to explore the limits of what the Reinheitsgebot purity law will permit not only with regard to ingredients, but also technique and process.  Dr. Josef Schradler, managing director, Weihenstephan. "We are making history with Jim Koch [founder of Boston Beer Company] and his team of brewers; turning our traditional brewing techniques on their head will result in an innovative beer that is ground breaking, delicious and unique."

The new beer will be available both in Germany and the United States in February 2010.  The brewers are indicating the unique brewwill be presented in cork-finished bottles and brewed to resemble a crisp champagne-like lager with alcohol content extending beyond 10 percent.

For more on German brewing history, tradition and beer see:

Trouble in Deutschland part 1 - German beer culture in doubt  

Trouble in Deutschland part 2 – German beer quality unsurpassed  

Trouble in Deutschland part 3 – No beer no joy  

Cheap German beer on the rise - craft beer in decline