Germany: Germans want beer purity law to be recognized as world heritage

German brewers want their famed beer purity laws to be given an official seal of approval as world heritage, Irish Independent reported on December 2.

The German Brewers' Federation said it has applied to Unesco, the United Nations' cultural agency, to have the purity law - the "Reinheitsgebot" - recognised as a piece of the world's "intangible heritage."

The purity law dates back to 1516 and allows nothing but water, barley malt, hops and yeast for brewing. Germany boasts around 1,300 breweries and 5,000 different beers.

If it wins a place on the Unesco list, the purity law will find itself in diverse company that includes the Argentine tango, the Spanish flamenco, the French gastronomic meal and Turkey's Kirkpinar oil-wrestling festival.

04 December, 2013