The Legend of the Beer Commissioner begins centuries ago in the Duchy of Austria.  Albert IV had just reunited the Bavarian provinces and created the capital of Bavaria in Munich, Germany.  In an effort to create a sense of nationalistic pride, Albert IV instituted the “German Purity Laws” in 1506, which governed how beer was to be made. These laws were in effect until 1987.

These laws were widely criticized outside of Bavaria, as many beer makers frequently added their own ingredients to the worting process of beer to give each of their beers their distinctive flavors.  In order to protect the integrity of the beer making process in the Duchy of Austria, Emperor Maximillian I, in 1507 created the title of Bierbeauftragter, literally the Beer Commissioner.  The first Bierbeauftragter was given the royal title of Baron, and was allotted a position in the royal court.

The first Beer Commissioner lived in the fortress city of Kufstein, Austria, which sits in the Alps along the Inn River in Western Austria.  Being afforded the rank of Baron, the title of Bierbeauftragter was passed, much like royal succession to the male heirs of the Beirbeauftragter.

After the death of Emperor Charles II in 1700, the War of Spanish Succession was instigated to determine the rightful successor to the Spanish/Austrian throne.  The War of Spanish Succession did not wind up favorably for the heir of the Bierbeauftragter title, as the Beer Commissioner had insured the armies of the losing side, if nothing else, did not go thirsty. As a result of the Beer Commissioner’s support of the losing side, he and his family were forced to flee to upstate New York.  In 1709, HRH Queen Anne of England learned of the Baron and his family living in upstate New York and banished them from the territory under the guise of making room for her British subjects.  The Beer Commissioner and his family floated down the Susquehanna River to the only place in the New World that would accept them, present day Snyder County, Pennsylvania. 

From 1709 until present day, the title of Beirbeauftragter has been quietly handed down from generation to generation within our family.  Unbelievably so, some people dispute this account of the Legend of the Beer Commissioner.  It was disputed to the point, the current Beirbeauftragter was forced to move to New Orleans, Louisiana, where Beer is taken seriously and actually stake legal claim to the title Beer Commissioner.  In an effort to solidify the claim to the title, the Beer Commissioner, trademarked his title, and has declared his mission, to make sure that all persons of legal beer drinking age, responsibly and merrily, enjoy their beer of choice!

Cheers!

Beer Commissioner