From the Field into the Glass – our 10 Ecological Commandments

Neumarkter Lammsbräu makes high demands for the beer ingredients and the brewing process: all ingredients must be from controlled organic cultivation and the entire brewing process must be environmentally safe. Our Ecological Commandments inform you about the requirements.

1. The main idea is simple: „The Beer Purity Law starts on the field.“ Therefore Neumarkter Lammsbräu beer specialities, like all other organic food products, contain only raw materials from controlled biological cultivation. Barley, wheat and spelt are produced without genetic manipulation, chemical-synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. For that, the cultivation has to in compliance with the guidelines of the German Working Committee for Organic Agriculture (AGÖL). These guidelines specify that agricultural production can only be certified as organic after a conversion phase of two to three years.
2. For our beers we only and exclusively use aroma hops instead of bitter hops. The latter has a more pronounced bitterness but a reduced aroma and only a few beer-typical ingredients. Our brewery uses only natural hops flowers and says no to convenience products such as hops pellets or hops extract that differ from the natural hops composition. Our aroma hops comes from regional organic cultivation. Conventional sulfurization that is used for the preservation and colorization of hops is prohibited.
3. All our brewing water comes from an underground, protected source of the highest purity and quality. Water purification is not needed. Thanks to the favorable properties of our water, there is no need to add lime water in order to reduce elevated lime concentrations. The organic Lammsbräu brewers only aerate the water to remove iron and manganese.
4. Neumarkter Lammsbräu uses only fresh yeast from our own pure yeast culture. The yeast contains no additives, no dry yeast compounds and no otherwise processed or genetically manipulated yeast cultures. Our yeast is propagated exclusively with wort made from organic raw materials. Impeccable cleanliness in the fermenting cellar guarantees its biological purity.
5. As one of the few remaining German breweries, Neumarkter Lammsbräu still produces its own malt. For the malt production we use only genuine, organic grains. Contrary to common practice in conventional beer making, malt for organic beer cannot be treated with sulfur. The kilning is done by indirect heating in order to minimize the risk of nitrosamine formation.
6. „Our gentle, value conserving and therefore elaborate brewing process facilitates the natural development of the beer“, emphasizes Neumarkter Lammsbräu. The brewing process should guarantee complete maturity and a harmonious flavor. High-speed fermentation is prohibited. With respect to beer fining, the ecological brewing guidelines prohibit the use of carbonic acid rinsing or activated coal for the removal of unwanted flavors and the addition of roasted malt for an adjustment of the color. Manipulative de-alcoholisation processes are prohibited, too. Neumarkter Lammsbräu non-alcoholic beer is manufactured with the help of a special maturation process.
7. We use no additives for artificial stabilization such as polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) that is added to standard conventional beer prior to filtration in order to reduce the naturally-occurring secondary plant compounds and surplus protein. The beer from Neumarkter Lammsbräu still contains these ingredients. Disinfection filtration for the removal of microorganisms is prohibited because these treatments also have negative effects on valuable flavor components. We also abstain from sterilizing our bottles with sulfite. Stored in a cool place, the organic beer specialities of Neumarkter Lammsbräu have a shelf life of six months.
8. The organic beer is only filled/packaged in reusable glass bottles and reusable stainless steel kegs. The labels are printed with heavy metal-free or heavy metal-reduced ink. Only crown caps with PVC-free sealing compound are accepted. Although it is indispensible to use caustic soda for the cleaning of the bottles, the use of sedimentation tanks for the lye considerably reduces the wastewater contamination.
9. Our products are transported for the most part with trucks that are fueled with regionally-produced, cold-pressed plant oil.
10. The consequent inspection of the cultivation of raw materials, the transport, storage and processing guarantees the compliance with the Neumarkter Lammsbräu Ecological Commandments. The entire system is monitored by state-accredited, independent institutes in accordance with the EU-Bio Ordinance.