Eco model region project organic beer: master brewer visits organic farmers

District - Organic brewing barley is currently growing in the region for the joint organic beer of the Ostallgäu eco-model region and the Kaufbeuren brewery (ABK).

Brewmaster Bernd Trick from the ABK now wanted to see the progress for himself.

He was a guest of organic farmer Andreas Bersch (Naturland), one of the three contract farmers of the ABK.

“We could have chosen an easier year to start,” says farmer Bersch. Because of the prolonged cold he was not able to sow until later than usual. Then it was also very wet, which made processing difficult. "For organic farming, the cultivation of the soil and a good seedbed are particularly important, since chemical-synthetic pesticides are not used," explains Ulrich Mück, a consultant from the Demeter Association. “And the crows were even more voracious than usual,” adds Bersch. In organic farming, the yield is much more dependent on the natural factors of weather, humus content and crop rotation, since any chemical intervention is prohibited.

Further processing also poses challenges for Braumeister Trick. “Here we process the ingredients as they are grown. Normally, for example, several malts are mixed in order to ensure that the taste is as constant as possible. Of course, the protein values ​​of the grain also vary more strongly with organic. Technical know-how and the art of brewing are required. ”Florian Timmermann, project manager of the eco-model region, appreciates the partnership between farmers and brewery all the more. "The organic beer project is a great challenge for all stakeholders that requires a lot of flexibility."

Despite the weather problems, the experts were confident that the organic brewing barley would achieve the quality required for brewing.

As the person responsible for the development of the Ostallgäu eco-model region, District Administrator Maria Rita Zinnecker has been accompanying the campaign from the start.

"An organic beer from the region is the best example for us," says Zinnecker.

The use of biological raw materials protects the quality of the groundwater, which in turn supplies good brewing water.

Fair prices through contract cultivation with organic farmers from the region strengthen jobs and local agriculture.

Organic farming is climate-friendly and short transport routes from the field to the malthouse and brewery have a low carbon footprint.

Organic farming protects the soil, thereby promoting biodiversity and the build-up of humus stores a lot of CO2.

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