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Codex Fermentarius

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10-commandments
Here’s another interesting list of the The Brewer’s Ten Commandment, this one more contemporary. It was created by Kelly Ryan, my friend Luke’s assistant brewer at Epic Brewing in New Zealand. He apparently recently left to take a job at a new brewpub in Hamilton, and on his new blog, BeeRevolution, proposed the following as his Codex Fermentarius:

Codex Fermentarius

  1. Thou shalt not covet another brewers’ kegs or casks.
  2. Honour thy other brewer’s recipe choice.
  3. Rejoice to thy daughter yeast and thy mother yeast.
  4. Thy glass shalt always be full. Never half full. Never half empty.
  5. Remember thy first brew day. And keep it holy.
  6. Thou shalt not steal another brewer’s hop combination. This is hopdultery.
  7. Thou shalt not covet another brewery’s name. Or beer name. Especially if it is that of a German cyclist.
  8. Seven days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work. Thou art a brewer. Drinking is work.
  9. Taste thy water, taste thy malted grains, taste thy yeast. Don’t taste thy hop flowers.
  10. Thou shalt not drink false beverages. We know what thee are.

In the body of the text, Ryan also offered to expand the list, and invited people to suggest additional commandments. Here’s a sample of some of the ones he got so far:

  • Release not the fruits of thy labour until thou has rested (at least) upon the seventh day (to banish all traces of the unholy VDK).
  • Thou shall wasteth NO beer. Even if it is 8am.
  • Thou shalt have no other beverage before Beer. A whiskey chaser afterwards, fine, but not before.
  • Ever shalt thou have full tanks and clean lines.
  • Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s brewsheet.
  • Thou shall worship local brews, locally – only if your hair doesn’t drop out.
  • Thou shall cry over spilt beer.
  • Thou shall burp as a sign of worship.

There’s some good ones in there. What would you add?

The Brewer’s 10 Commandments

By

10-commandments
Here’s an interesting list of the The Brewer’s 10 Commandments, or Die 10 Gebote des Bierbrauers, that I found on the website for the Museum of Beer & Brewing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s origin is apparently from “the Brewers 1887 Convention.”

The Brewer’s 10 Commandments

  1. Thou shalt love the god Gambrinus above all and not cloud his honor with bad beer.
  2. Thou shalt not honor any other beer gods and not stretch your beers with chemical additions.
  3. Thou shalt brew good beer during the week so the people can become healthy again on Sundays.
  4. Thou shalt obey mother Hops and father Barley, honor them as providers of your wealth.
  5. Thou shalt not kill, with beers of poor quality.
  6. Thou shalt watch your taverner more, than the pretty waitresses and women.
  7. Thou shalt not steal money from the people’s pockets, nor fill kegs and bottles with water.
  8. Thou shalt not mix unlawful materials into the beer, nor sell bad beer as good.
  9. Thou shalt not expect more from the people than thy beer hath worth because there is already enough poor quality on the market.
  10. Thou shalt not demand that your wife, children and workers drink your beer if it is spoiled, watered down or of poor taste.

Zumologists In The Zythepsary

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history
Here are some obsolete words that need to be brought back. We all know zymurgy is “the branch of applied chemistry dealing with fermentation, as in winemaking, brewing, the preparation of yeast, etc.” not to mention a magazine, and zymology “is the study of zymurgy, the area of applied science related to fermentation. It deals with the biochemical processes involved in fermentation, with yeast selection and physiology, and with the practical issues of brewing.” So far so good, but have you ever heard of these?

Zumologist
A brewer. Webster’s 1828 has this definition. “n. One who is skilled in the fermentation of liquors.” It’s also an alternate form of “zymologist.” And one dictionary claims this as its origins. “fr. Gk zume, to ferment + -ologist“
Zumology
Webster’s 1828 has this definition. “n. [Gr., ferment; to ferment; discourse.] A treatise on the fermentation of liquors, or the doctrine of fermentation.“
Zythepsary
A brewery, according to “Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by C. & G. Merriam Co.” Apparently it’s from “Ancient Greek ζῦθος (zuthos, ‘barley beer’) + ἕψω (hepsō, ‘boil’)”
One 1835 dictionary lists the word thusly:
ZYTHEPSARY, zidi-iVser-4, n. A place for brewing ; a brewery ; a brewhouse. A pronouncing and explanatory dictionary of the English language: Page 740 James Knowles — 1835.”
And case you’re curious here’s how to pronounce zythepsary.
Zythum
The same 1835 dictionary defines zythum as “n. A beverage ; a liquor composed of malt and corn. A pronouncing and explanatory dictionary of the English language: Page 740 James Knowles — 1835.”

Those are some pretty cool words. Come on people, let’s starting using those again. Who doesn’t want to go for a Zythum, made by a Zumologist at your local Zythepsary?

Here’s a passage by Charles Dickens in the weekly Journal “All the Year Round” using the word zythepsary. It’s from 1861, when the word was already uncommon, apparently.

“But the oddest things of all are to be found in the dictionaries. Why they are all kept there no one knows; but what man in his senses would use such words as zythepsary for a brewhouse, and zumologist for a brewer; would talk of a stormy day as procellous and himself as madefied; of his long-legged son as increasing in procerity but sadly inarcid, of having met wilh much procacity from such a one; of a bore as a macrologist; of an aged horse as macrobiolic; of important business as moliminous,and his daughter’s necklace as moniliform; of some one’s talk as meracious, and lament, his last night’s nimiety of wine at that dapatical feast, whence he was taken by ereption?”

And this Pabst ad from 1897 refers to the Pabst Zythepsary.

Pabst-bock-1897

And here’s science fiction writer Isaac Asimov using zymologist in 1962’s “The Caves of Steel.”

“‘I’m a zymologist, if you don’t mind.’

‘What’s the difference?’

Clousarr looked lofty. ‘A chemist is a soup-pusher, a stink-operator. A zymologist is a man who helps keep a few billion people alive. I’m a yeast-culture specialist.'”

I’ve heard Yeast-wrangler before, but not that one. That’s also pretty awesome. I’d love to start seeing that on brewers’ business cards: “Yeast-Culture Specialist.”

asimov-caves-of-steel

Kenya Beer

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kenya
Today in 1963, Kenya gained their Independence from the United Kingdom.

Kenya
kenya-color

Kenya Breweries

Kenya Brewery Guides

Other Guides

  • CIA World Factbook
  • Official Website
  • U.S. Embassy
  • Wikipedia

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.08%

kenya

  • Full Name: Republic of Kenya
  • Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
  • Religion(s): Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2%
  • Capital: Nairobi
  • Population: 43,013,341; 31st
  • Area: 580,367 sq km, 49th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
  • National Food: Nyama choma
  • National Symbol: Masai shield and spears
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From the UK, December 12, 1963

kenya-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 6

kenya-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: beer
  • How to Order a Beer: one beer, please
  • How to Say “Cheers”: cheers
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

kenya-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 44%
  • Wine: 1%
  • Spirits: 27%
  • Other: 28%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 1.64
  • Unrecorded: 2.50
  • Total: 4.14
  • Beer: 0.84

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 1.6 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, location, specific events, intoxicated persons, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

kenya-africa

Under the Anheuser Bush

By

music
Another historical oddity, Under the Anheuser Bush, was a song written around 1903, with words by Andrew B. Sterling and music by Harry Von Tilzer. This version is sung by Billy Murray and is a 1903 Old Edison Recording.

anheuser-busch-song-1904

Here’s the lyrics:

Talk about the shade of the sheltering palms
Praise the bamboo tree and it’s wide spreading charms
There’s a little bush that grows right here in town
You know it’s name it has won such renown
Often with my sweetheart just after the play
To this little place then my footsteps will stray
If she hesitates when she looks at the sign
Softly I whisper, “Now Sue, don’t decline….”

Rave about the place where you swells go to dine
Picture you and me with our sandwich and stein
Underneath the bush where the good fellows meet
Life seems worth living, our joy is complete
If you’re sad at heart take a trip there tonight
You’ll forget your woe and your eyes will grow bright.
There you’ll surely find me with my sweetheart, Sue.
Come down this evening, I’ll introduce you.

Come, come, come and make eyes with me
Under the Anheuser Bush
Come come drink some Budwise with me
Under the Anheuser Bush
Hear the old German Band
Just let me hold your hand YAH!
Do, do come and have a stein or two
Under the Anheuser Bush!

Here’s Verse 1:

And Verse 2:

Under-the-Anheuser-Bush

Below is yet another version, a little more scratchy than the other one, but is also sung by Billy Murray. It was recorded in Philadelphia on January 15, 1904 and is Take 4. I found it at the National Jukebox at the Library of Congress.

This one was recorded on vinyl by Monarch Records.

dlc_victor_2639_01_b888_04

Nine Beers Experiencing Titanic Sales Drops

By

sales-chart-down
24/7 Wall St. had an interesting look at some beers that have fallen on hard times over the last five years. Entitled Nine Beers Americans No Longer Drink, it lists some mainstream beers that have experienced some amazing drops in sales from 2006 through last year. The data is from Beer Marketer’s Insights and the list includes nine beers that have experienced more than a one-third drop in sales — and in two cases two-thirds — over that five-year time period. Here’s the list:

  1. Michelob: 72% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (ABI)
  2. Michelob Light: 66.3% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (ABI)
  3. Budweiser Select: 60.8% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (ABI)
  4. Milwaukee’s Best: 57.1% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (MillerCoors)
  5. Old Milwaukee: 52.8% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (Pabst)
  6. Miller Genuine Draft: 52.3% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (MillerCoors)
  7. Amstel Light: 47.7% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (Heineken)
  8. Miller High Life Light: 37.6% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (MillerCoors)
  9. Milwaukee’s Best Light: 35.5% drop in sales, 2006-2011 (MillerCoors)

That’s a pretty remarkable list. A few of those used to be truly successful brands. The article also details how “to combat the growing popularity of craft brews, major breweries such as Anheuser-Busch Inbev and MillerCoors have aggressively marketed their own specialty beer.” Those include such stealth beers as Blue Moon, Shock Top, et al. That’s in addition to buying up craft brands such as Goose Island or creating separate marketing arms, like Tenth and Blake.

It will be interesting to see what these companies will do next as these brands drag down the ship with such titanic sinking sales. Will they take steps to reinvigorate these brands or jettison them from their portfolios and instead concentrate on craftier brands?

titanic

Tanzania Beer

By

tanzania
Today in 1961, Tanzania (then Tanganyika) gained their Independence from the United Kingdom. On December 19, 1963, Zanzibar also gained its independence from the UK. On April 26, 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form Tanzania, which is celebrated as Union Day.

Tanzania
tanzania-color

Tanzania Breweries

Tanzania Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%

tanzania

  • Full Name: United Republic of Tanzania
  • Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages [Note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages]
  • Religion(s): Mainland: Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar: more than 99% Muslim
  • Capital: Dodoma
  • Population: 46,912,768; 28th
  • Area: 947,300 sq km, 31st
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than twice the size of California
  • National Food: Ugali
  • National Symbols: Peacock; African Blackwood; Uhuru (Freedom) torch
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union, Commonwealth
  • Independence: Tanganyika became independent on December 9, 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent on December 19, 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar on April 26, 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar (celebrated as Union Day); renamed United Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964.

Tanzania-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 7

tanzania-money-2

  • How to Say “Beer”: bia, pombe
  • How to Order a Beer: Moja pombe, tafadhali
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Afya / Maisha marefu (“good life”) / Vifijo
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

tanzania-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 11%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: 3%
  • Other: 86%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 4.75
  • Unrecorded: 2.00
  • Total: 6.75
  • Beer: 0.57

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 4.8 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 21
  • Sales Restrictions: Hours, location
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

tanzania-africa

Finland Beer

By

finland
Today in 1917, Finland gained their Independence from Russia.

Finland
finland-color

Finland Breweries

Finland Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: Panimoliitto

National Regulatory Agency: National Product Control Agency for Welfare and Health

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Follows Eu Regulations

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05% [Note: 0.12% (aggravated). The penalty is a fine or jail up to 6 months plus license suspension from 1 month to 5 years. For aggravated, also a prison sentence (60 days to 2 years) is possible, usually as a suspended sentence. Routine breath testing without a probable cause is permitted and often practiced. Penalties vary by level of intoxication.]

finland

  • Full Name: Republic of Finland
  • Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Finnish (official) 91.2%, Swedish (official) 5.5%, other (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) 3.3%
  • Religion(s): Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1%
  • Capital: Helsinki (Helsingfors)
  • Population: 5,262,930; 116th
  • Area: 338,145 sq km, 65th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Montana
  • National Food: Mämmi
  • National Symbol: Lion, Whooper Swan, Brown Bear, European perch, Ladybird; Lily of the Valley; Birch, Silver Birch; Finland’s Lion, Nordic Cross
  • Affiliations: UN, EU
  • Independence: From Russia, December 6, 1917

finland-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 (for possession and purchase of <22% a.b.v.) 20 (for possession and purchase of ≥22% a.b.v.) (18 for all in bars and restaurants) [Note: Age limits apply to purchase and possession. Police may search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy alcoholic beverages. Adults are responsible for alcohol use by minors in private; offering alcohol to a minor is a punishable offense if it results in drunkenness and is inappropriate with regard to the minor's age, maturity and other circumstances.]
  • BAC: 0.05%
  • Number of Breweries: 36

finland-money-2

  • How to Say “Beer”: olut, kalja, pikkutekijä / slang: olvi
  • How to Order a Beer: O-loot moolek kee-tos
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Kippis / Kippis Terveydeksi (“to your health”) / Maljanne (“a toast to you sir”)
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

finland-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 46%
  • Wine: 23%
  • Spirits: 28%
  • Other: 3%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 9.72
  • Unrecorded: 2.80
  • Total: 12.52
  • Beer: 4.59

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 9.7 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, location, specific locations, intoxicated persons
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: 1919 to 1932 in Finland (called kieltolaki, “ban law”) [In 1919, Finland enacted prohibition, as one of the first acts after independence from the Russian Empire. Four previous attempts to institute prohibition in the early 20th century had failed due to opposition from the tsar. After a development similar to the one in the United States during its prohibition, with large-scale smuggling and increasing violence and crime rates, public opinion turned against the prohibition, and after a national referendum where 70% voted for a repeal of the law, prohibition was ended in early 1932.]

finland-eu

Ireland Beer

By

ireland
Today in 1921, Ireland gained their Independence by treaty with the United Kingdom.

Ireland
ireland-color

Ireland Breweries

Ireland Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: Irish Brewers Association; Beoir (consumer group)

National Regulatory Agency: Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Follows Eu Regulations

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05% [Note: 0.05% generally or 0.02% for learner drivers, newly qualified drivers (those who have their license for less than two years) and professional drivers, and those who do not have their driving license on them when stopped by the Gardaí (police). Police do not need a reason to request a breath sample. Being convicted of drunk driving usually carries a 2 year ban as well as a €1500 fine.]

ireland

  • Full Name: Ireland (Eire)
  • Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
  • Government Type: Republic, parliamentary democracy
  • Language: English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken mainly in areas along the western coast)
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2%
  • Capital: Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath)
  • Population: 4,722,028; 119th
  • Area: 70,273 sq km, 120th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than West Virginia
  • National Food: Colcannon, Irish Stew
  • National Symbol: Irish Wolfhound, Irish Setter, Irish Elk; Shamrock; Sessile Oak; Celtic harp called a cláirseach (official), harp on coat of arms etc. (official), Celtic Cross; Harp
  • Affiliations: UN, EU
  • Independence: By treaty from the UK, December 6, 1921 / Declared, April 24, 1916 / Ratified, January 21, 1919

ireland-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 [Note: It is illegal for minors to buy alcohol, to attempt to buy it for minors or to consume alcohol in a public space in Ireland. Those under 18 may consume alcohol in a private residence when permission is given from a parent or guardian. It is illegal to purchase alcohol for anybody under the age of consent without permission from their guardians. Alcohol can be sold in stores only between 10:30 and 22:00 on weekdays and Saturdays or 12:30 and 22:00 on Sundays.]
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 20

ireland-money-2

  • How to Say “Beer”: beoir / leann (lionn)
  • How to Order a Beer: Byohr awoyn, lyeh doh hull
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Sláinte / Guid forder! (“good luck”) [Ulster-Scots]
  • Toasting Etiquette: Common Toasts

ireland-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 53%
  • Wine: 20%
  • Spirits: 19%
  • Other: 8%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 13.39
  • Unrecorded: 1.00
  • Total: 14.39
  • Beer: 7.04

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 13.4 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Places, intoxicated persons
  • Advertising Restrictions: Some
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Some (sales promotions)

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

ireland-eu