GRUUT beers are the authentic and original hop-free beers. DISEVIL is the distributor in Spain. We invite you to discover the history and advantages of hop-free beers for your health.
| The origin of beer : without hops
Hops began to be used hegemonically in beer brewing in the 16th century, but brewing without hops dates back to ancient times, from 700 BC. So, how was beer made in ancient times?
In the past, beer was made by combining a wide variety of herbs and spices. Instead of hops, bitter herbs of different varieties were used to give bitterness to the beer and thus counteract the sweetness. Some of the most important herbs used were mugwort, yarrow, myrtle, rosemary, yarrow, wormwood, hydra, horehound, cumin or sage. This depended on the herbs that were grown in each area. In addition, each producer included other herbs, roots and fruits to give them unique aromas and flavors. Each recipe was a closely guarded secret.
| The hegemony of hops: 1516
Hops began to be hegemonic in beer brewing after the implementation of the Law of Purity (Reinheitsgebot in German) established on April 23, 1516 by William IV of Bavaria.
This law decreed that beer could only be made with three ingredients: water (spring), malt barley and hops. It is considered that this was the first legal regulation of a food product and was in force until 1986, when it was replaced by the regulation of the European Economic Community.
There are several reasons why this law was adopted:
On the one hand, scientific reasons,
It was discovered that hops were a great preservative, better than any other herb, which allowed beer to be kept in good condition for much longer.On the other hand, economic reasons ,
William IV of Bavaria held a monopoly on the production of malt barley. Since this was one of the mandatory elements, it meant an increase in sales and also an increase in price, since a substitute cereal could not be used.There were also religious reasons ,
since some of the combinations of herbs had aphrodisiac and stimulant effects, something not welcomed by the religious morality of the time. On the contrary, hops had sedative effects, which made drinkers end up drowsy.Eventually, the term beer became an official term to describe malt beverages that employed hops, specifically.
| Meaning of Gruit
Traditional hopless beers are known by the name Gruit or Grut, which means a mixture of herbs that flavor the beer .
The GRUUT beer brand is an adaptation of the name Gruit or Grut but Gruut is also what the monetary unit used under the reign of Charles V was called.
When interest in the consumption of craft beer was reborn around the world, curiosity also resurfaced to explore the different ways in which beer had been made since ancient times.
Even in the United States, Gruit Day has been celebrated every February 1 since 2013, a day intended to pay tribute and raise awareness of the historical traditions of brewing beer with herbs and spices instead of hops.
In Spain , GRUUT Belgian beers arrived for the first time in 2013, although they were initially renamed Gruit to be distributed throughout the Iberian Peninsula. After a period of interruption in supplies to Spain, DISEVIL reached a new distribution agreement in Spain to distribute GRUUT beers under its original brand name.
| The Gruut Brewery
The GRUUT brewery was founded in April 2009 in the Belgian city of Ghent by Annick De Splenter , a woman who began in the world of fermentation and beer from an early age.
Annick's passion for beer began as a child in the family, since both her mother and father worked in the production processes of large beer brands. Some of them: Young Pale Ale by Gistel and Dentergems Wit, Liefmans and Lucifer by Dentergem.
With her great botanical knowledge she created a masterful formula with which this master brewer manages to create very balanced, elegant and round beers. Of the five styles of beer it makes, four of them are hop-free.
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Gruut Wit Hopless Beer : Very aromatic, slightly herbaceous, smooth and round wheat beer .
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Gruut Blond Hop-Free Beer : Cloudy beer with intense, fresh white foam, aromas of cereal and coriander, and notes of barley
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Gruut Amber Hopless Beer : Intense, aromatic beer , with a beautiful dark amber color.
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Gruut Bruin Hop-Free and Gluten-Free Beer : Aromatic and complex beer , chestnut brown in color with roasted and toffee aromas, and a nutty aftertaste. Plus, it's a gluten-free beer .
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Gruut Hop-Free Beer Tasting Pack : If you can't decide which one to try, we have a pack for you to try the four beers and choose the one you like the most.
| The advantages of hop-free beer
Currently, the return to origins is being revalued both in the ingredients of food and in the processes of their preparation. The food industry has made it possible to increase production and reduce costs, although often sacrificing the authenticity of the original flavors obtained with traditional techniques.
The advantages of enjoying a beer without hops are numerous:
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By not containing hops , the sleep-inducing and libido-reducing properties of hops are avoided.
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It doesn't cause a hangover. One of the main causes of migraine/hangover, apart from excessive consumption, is hops. Therefore unhopped beers are less likely to cause headaches. However, at GRUUT and DISEVIL we always recommend responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.
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They have energizing and libido-increasing effects . It is not a beer suitable for puritans.
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Its bitterness is lower and its palette of flavors is more aromatic and soft. Hops are what give beer its characteristic bitter flavor . The masterful formula created by Annick De Splenter achieves that characteristic but smooth beer flavor.
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They are appropriate for people with a hop allergy or who suffer from uric acid .
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All the ingredients they are manufactured with are 100% natural, without added preservatives or artificial colors.
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It is an excellent way to enjoy a beer "like the old ones" .
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Last but not least, Gruut beers are... delicious. It couldn't be any other way coming from the beer paradise: Belgium.