Understanding How to Choose German Beer Changes Everything—Unlocking the Fascinating World of Brewing Through Style, Color, and Season
Does choosing German beer seem complicated? In fact, it's full of fascinating stories once you get to know it. Helles has a history of being called a "traitor," and the battle of beers across the Rhine continues to this day. A guide to understanding German beer through its style, color, and season.
Do you think, "German beer seems complicated with so many varieties..."? I understand! But actually, the more you learn, the more interesting stories you'll discover. This time, I'll explain how to choose German beer not with difficult technical terms, but with "aha!" moments. Feel free to read on!
◎ The Reason German Beer is "Chosen by Type"
When you order "Beer, please!" at a Japanese izakaya, you might specify a mug or a bottle, but you rarely think about the "style" or "brand." In Germany, however, it's normal to start by considering "What kind of beer do you want?"
Approximately 1,500 Breweries, Different Beer Cultures in Each Region
Currently, there are about 1,500 breweries in Germany. And each region has its own unique beer style and culture for drinking it. Bavaria has Weizen and Helles, Franconia has Rauchbier, and Northern Germany has Pilsner. When you visit Germany, you'll want to try all the local beers because of this diversity!
Cologne and Düsseldorf—Why Neighbors Drink "Different Beers"
Particularly unique is the story of two cities along the Rhine River. People in Cologne stubbornly drink Kölsch, while people in Düsseldorf stubbornly drink Altbier. These two actually taste quite similar, but locals absolutely refuse to acknowledge each other's beer (laughs).
"Which is better, Kölsch or Alt?" is an eternal debate among Germans. The culture of "protecting regions with beer" is one of the reasons German beer is so interesting!
◎ Two Main Categories You Should Know First
German beers are broadly divided into two fermentation methods. Just knowing this will make choosing much easier!
【Crisp and Consistent Lager】
Lager is a beer made by "low-temperature fermentation and low-temperature maturation." The yeast used for fermentation settles at the bottom of the tank, and it is slowly aged at low temperatures, resulting in a stable, clear, and crisp taste.
Pilsner, Helles, Märzen, Bock... most golden beers that come to mind when you think of "beer" in Japan are lagers. If you like "consistent, easy-to-drink beers," start with lagers!
【Fruity and Unique Ale】
Ale is made by "high-temperature fermentation," where the yeast floats on top of the tank. The higher fermentation temperature makes the yeast more active, which tends to create fruity aromas and complex flavors.
Weizen (white beer), Kölsch, and Altbier are ales. Beers that have a "distinctive aroma" are usually ales.
◎ 3 Styles Recommended for Your First Glass
If you want to try German beer but don't know where to start, here are 3 styles I recommend you try first!
▶️ Helles—The Golden Beer Called a "Traitor" in 1894
Helles is a pale lager born in Munich. It has a clear golden color, fine foam, and a crisp malty sweetness. It's the quintessential "beer!"
In fact, when Helles was born in 1894, there's an anecdote that Munich citizens called it a "traitor to Bavaria." At the time, amber lagers were dominant in Munich, and Helles was developed by Munich breweries to compete with the pale Pilsners popular in Northern Germany. Despite being criticized for "imitating northern beer," it has now become a staple in Bavaria! It's a nice story, how a "traitor" became a classic.
Learn more about Schmatz's Helles here → https://www.schmatz.jp/blogs/column/南ドイツのビールの王様-ヘレス-完全ガイド-その歴史から美味しい飲み方まで
▶️ Weizen—The Secret to Its Banana Aroma is Yeast
Weizen's signature sweet banana-like aroma! Surprisingly, no bananas are used. A compound produced by the special Weizen yeast during fermentation creates an aroma remarkably similar to bananas.
The fact that "yeast, not just ingredients, determines beer aroma" is something most people don't know. If someone asks, "Why does Weizen taste like banana?", you can answer confidently now!
Discover the charm of Schmatz's Weizen here → https://www.schmatz.jp/blogs/column/シュマッツの人気no-1ヴァイツェン-世界が認めたドイツビールの王道-白ビール-の魅力を徹底解剖
3 More Styles to Delve Deeper Into
If you're starting to fall in love with German beer, these are your next steps (laughs)!
▶️ Märzen—The "Oktoberfest Beer" That Changed in the 1990s
For those familiar with German beer, Märzen often conjures up images of Oktoberfest beer. However, since the 90s, Oktoberfest has actually featured Helles-style "Festbier" as its main offering, not Märzen!
Amber Märzen was once the symbol of Oktoberfest, but it ceded its starring role to the easier-drinking pale Festbier. Nevertheless, the image of "Märzen as autumn beer" remains strong, and indeed, its rich flavor is perfect for autumn. Schmatz's "Lager" falls into this Märzen style!
→ https://www.schmatz.jp/blogs/column/世界評価92点-シュマッツ-ラガー-の正体は伝統のメルツェン-歴史と科学で紐解くその美味しさ
▶️ Rauchbier—Smoky Aroma is a Remnant of "Once Common Brewing Methods"
A specialty of the Franconia region (e.g., Bamberg), this beer has a smoky, almost bacon-like aroma. While it might seem "unusual" today, in fact, all beers had this smoky flavor until the mid-19th century!
Back then, the only way to dry malt was using fire, and it was natural for the smoke aroma to transfer to the beer. With the spread of alternative drying technologies, smoke-free malt became standard, and Rauchbier became a "special beer that preserves traditional methods." What was once "ordinary" became "rare" due to the changes of the times!
◎ What Beer "Color" Tells You—A Quick Guide to Choosing
Even if you don't know the brand or name, you can usually predict the taste just by looking at the color. This is the most practical tip for choosing!
・Golden to Pale Yellow → Crisp, refreshing, dominant malt sweetness (Helles, Pilsner types)
・Amber to Copper → Caramel-like richness, good balance of sweetness and bitterness (Märzen, Altbier, etc.)
・Dark Brown to Black → Roasty, roasted notes, rich and bitter finish (Schwarzbier, Stout, etc.)
Many people find "choosing by color more intuitive and easier." Please try it next time you choose a beer!
◎ German Beer Changes with the Seasons—The Rhythm of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter
In Germany, beer also has seasons. Knowing this will further expand your choices!
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・Spring: Maibock (a slightly stronger lager released in May) ・Summer: Helles and Weizen (refreshing, you can drink a lot!) ・Autumn: Märzen/Festbier (to coincide with Oktoberfest) ・Winter: Doppelbock (a rich, double-brewed beer) |
A culture where beer changes with the four seasons, it's romantic, isn't it? Enjoying the German beer calendar while in Japan is one of Schmatz's unique pleasures.
◎ How to Choose German Beer, Summary—Once You Know, You'll Want to Share It with Someone
After reading this far, I hope you feel that German beer isn't "difficult" but "fun to learn about"!
Incidentally, Germany has a law called the "Reinheitsgebot" (German Purity Law), which dates back to 1516 and dictates that beer must be made from only four ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. Schmatz's beers also cherish this spirit.
Learn more here → https://www.schmatz.jp/blogs/column/ドイツビールのコクの秘密は-法律-にあり-ビール純粋令と美味しさの関係
Knowing how to choose German beer makes it fun not only to pick "the beer I want to drink" but also "the beer I want to give to someone else"! Father's Day season is now. Thinking about "what flavors does Dad like?" and choosing by style and color is also a wonderful way to give a gift. Schmatz also offers gift sets perfect for Father's Day.
▶ See Schmatz's beer lineup here → https://www.schmatz.jp/pages/online-store
▶ Father's Day beer gifts are available here → https://www.schmatz.jp/collections/gift-set
