Beer Testing with Lederhosen: Myth or Truth?
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There are many stories and myths surrounding beer. A particularly curious anecdote is the quality test using lederhosen on a wet beer bench. But what's the story behind it?
The Myth of the Beer Bench Test
According to legend, after the introduction of the German Beer Purity Law in 1516, the quality of beer was tested in an unusual way: A large quantity of the freshly brewed barley juice was poured onto an oak wooden bench. Then a few young lads, usually the apprentices of the master brewer, had to sit on the soaked bench wearing lederhosen for one to two hours.
When the pants were dry, everyone stood up simultaneously. If the bench stuck to the seat of the pants, it was considered proof that the brewer had done a good job and had not skimped on the malt. Because sufficient sticky malt sugar in the beer made the pants stick tightly. Only then was the beer allowed to be served.
Explanation for the Pants-Bottom Test
Even though this story persists, it is probably more of a myth. Nevertheless, there is a kernel of truth behind it: The stickiness of the beer does indeed allow conclusions to be drawn about the malt content and thus the quality of the ingredients. Sufficient malt and a correct brewing method ensure a certain residual sweetness in the finished beer.
However, it is rather unlikely that this elaborate test with lederhosen was actually carried out. It is probably a humorous anecdote meant to illustrate that strict adherence to the Purity Law and high beer quality were important back then.
Conclusion: Quality and purity in brewing beer are immensely important
Even if the beer test using lederhosen on the wet bench is probably an amusing story, it does show how important quality and purity in brewing beer were centuries ago. German brewers still place the greatest value on this today - without any curious pants tests, of course.
