SRU’s “Homebrewed History” series to focus on Germany
March 2, 2017
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The fifth installment of the annual "Homebrewed History" series will take place at 2 p.m., March 25 at Slippery Rock University's Old Stone House.
This year's event will focus on the "Reinheitsgebot" - also known as the German Beer Purity Law of 1516 - which is the collective name for a series of regulations limiting the ingredients used in beer brewing as well as regulating pricing for the sale of beers throughout Germany and the states of the former Holy Roman Empire.
Attendees will learn about the historical background of late-medieval German states, the reasons for the law, its evolution over time and its influence on modern German beers; view brewing process demonstrations; and sample beers made from period-authentic recipes.
Featured beers will include a kolsch, a clear, top-fermented beer with a bright, straw-yellow hue similar to other beers brewed from mainly Pilsner malt; and a triple dunkel, which is a dark lager. Both beers will be brewed by Sean Macmillan, SRU assistant professor of art. An experienced homebrewer, Macmillan will discuss the brewing process and the origins of the historically-authentic recipes used at the event.
Each previous event in the series has focused on a different historical period or culture, including: ancient Greece, colonial America and the British Empire.
"This series has been a great success," said Aaron Cowan, SRU associate professor of history and director of the Stone House Center for Public Humanities. "Each event has drawn history buffs and the home-brewing crowd alike. Food and drink are tangible, engaging ways for people to interact with and learn about the past."
Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased by calling 724.738.4964; visiting: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/homebrewed-history-german-beer-and-the-purity-law-of-1516-tickets-32359785991; or the day of the event. Seating is limited and advance purchase is recommended. All ticket holders must be 21 years old or older.
The Old Stone House, which is owned and operated by SRU, is located at the intersection of routes 8, 258 and 173, just south of Slippery Rock.
For more information, contact Amie Winters at 724.738.4586 or publichumanities@sru.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu