Culture of Germans' Vaterland

Culinary Historian, Linda Pelaccio and self-proclaimed beer lover, Jimmy Carbone discussed the origins and innovations of beer.  It’s European origin dated to 5000 BCE and evidence in Asia suggested it was present in society as early as 7000 BCE.   It was originally brewed by women and had low alcohol content.  As its purposes became more connected to religion and commerce the skill was taken over by men.  Although the beverage was widely praised and used, it was so greatly admired by those of Germanic heritage that legal action was taken to ensure uncompromising quality.  In the early 16^th century Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria introduced the German purity law, Reinheitsgebot.  The law limited beer’s composition to grain, hops and water and strictly regulated the quality of each ingredient.  This law has been altered, but is still enforced by Germany today.

Charity Nebbe with guests, Jane Simonse, Kelly Lao, Merle Vastine and Bob King discussed the German-American history and influence of Scott County, Iowa throughout the Prohibition.  A reason for German immigration to American in the mid-19^th century was due to the First Schleswig War.  The city of Davenport became densely populated with German-Americans and very plentiful in microbreweries. Many of these breweries began early as 1850 and some remained as late as 1956. 

 Prohibition’s attack on drinking cultural was seen as an attack on German cultural.  The community followed in the footsteps of their rebel ancestors of northern Germany and refused to abide to the new regulations.  The town set its own rules, which were observed even by local political leaders, and rallied for a “free and independent state of Scott”.  Although complete overthrow of the government was not accomplished, Davenport still benefitted.   The fees collected from many non-prohibition observers provided revenue to improve much of the town’s infrastructure.  Distribution of alcohol was again legal, however beer’s alcohol content was limited to 4%, no longer meeting the German standard of 7%-9% it had before.

http://www.heritageradionetwork.com/episodes/842-A-Taste-of-the-Past-Episode-26-Jimmy-Carbone

http://news.iowapublicradio.org/post/suds-brewing-history-quad-cities