Bierlikör Explained

Bierlikör, or beer liqueur, is a beer-flavored liqueur, traditionally produced in the German state of Bavaria. As the term is not legally protected, individual products vary. Bierlikör can be made at home, but is also available commercially.

History

Bierlikör has long existed as a niche, side product for breweries. Old or unsold beer was frequently made into Bierbrand or Bierlikör, both of which have a longer shelf life. A reference book from 1900 mentions a "Bier-Essenz", which is combined with neutral grain alcohol and sugar to produce a Bier-Likör.[1] The rising popularity of craft beer in the 2010s in Germany has seen a revival of Bierlikör.[2]

Commercial varieties

Legal

The European Union directive on spirits does not define Bierlikör as a product type, nor does it list it as a protected designation of origin product. Anything sold as Bierlikör in the European Union only needs to conform to the general guidelines applicable to all liqueurs, allowing considerable room for variations in the finished products.[3] As such, a Bierlikör must

Commercially available Bierlikör typically contains between 14 and 30 percent sugar by weight.[4]

Production

Bierlikör can be produced using fresh beer, but this is not required. The source of alcohol can be Bierbrand, neutral rectified spirit, or other conventional spirits such as rum, vodka, or Korn, or any combination thereof.

The typical beer flavor of Bierlikör can come from a number of different sources, such as beer, malt beer, malt extracts, hops, or unfermented wort.[5] [6]

Additional herbs and spices may be added as well, such as vanilla (or vanillin), cinnamon, and cloves.

Producers

A number of producers sell Bierlikör commercially:

Recipes

There are a number of recipes for homemade Bierlikör, mostly using a strong beer as a base (such as Schwarzbier or Bock), which is heated up with sugar and spices, cooled, and fortified with a distilled spirit.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Engelhardt, Alwin . Handbuch der praktischen Likör-Fabrikation. Praktische Anleitung zur Darstellung aller Sorten von Likören, Branntweinen, Aquaviten, Arac, Cognac, Rum, Grog, Punsch-Extracten, verschiedenen Weinen und anderen Getränken (900 Recepte) auf kaltem Wege. . Handbook of Practical Liqueur Production: Practical Instructions for the Production of All Types of Liqueur, Spirit, Aquavita, Arac, Cognac, Rum, Grog, Punch Extracts, Assorted Wines and Other Beverages (900 Recipes) by the Cold Method . 2nd . Spamer Verlag . Leipzig . 1900 . 37 . de .
  2. Web site: Heiland Bierlikör: Die Erlösung des Doppelbock? . Nils . Wrage . mixology.eu . 2015-08-04 . 14 November 2021 . de . Heiland Bierlikör: The Salvation of Doppelbock? .
  3. 110/2008 . 15 January 2008 . on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89 . 32008R0110., §32
  4. DE. DE19542259A1. application. Beer liqueur for use in cocktails and as foodstuffs flavouring . 15 May 1997. Robert Gmeiner.
  5. Web site: So nicht! Der BIERLikör 22 . Nils . Wrage . mixology.eu . 2015-03-03 . 14 November 2021 . Not like this! BIERLikör 22 .
  6. News: Kein Bier im 'Bayerischem Bierlikör'? Rechtsstreit beendet . . 28 June 2017 . No Beer in 'Bavarian Bierlikör'? Court case ended . 14 November 2021 . de .
  7. Book: Mennigen, Peter . Feine Heilschnäpse und Liköre . Area Verlag . Erftstadt . 2007 . 978-3-89996-196-6 . 18.