Stone beer (Steinbier)
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Beer styles”.
Explanation
Old brewing method from the days when wooden vessels could not be heated directly: red-hot stones are placed in the wort and bring it to the boil. Sugar caramelises on the stones, giving the beer a smoky, caramel note. Steinbier was revived in Franconia in the 1980s.
Test your knowledge
How is the wort brought to the boil for Steinbier?
- By sunlight on black stones
- With a gas burner under a stone kettle
- With red-hot stones
Show answer
Correct: With red-hot stones. Wooden vessels could not be heated directly in the past. Hot stones brought the wort to the boil and caramelised sugar.