The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Premium quality beer requires premium quality ingredients, and there are only four ingredients that should go into beer (Barley or wheat malt, hops, yeast and pure water). That’s why the Germans created the original Beer Purity Law in 1516 (the “Reinheitsgebot”), which prohibits the use of inferior ingredients. OMB adheres strictly to the Reinheitsgebot. We do not and will never cheapen our beer with inferior ingredients like corn or rice that lower the cost but ruin the flavor, head and body of the beer (next time you’re drinking a glass of bottled water that's being sold as “beer,” check the ingredients on the label). Premium beer also requires intensive, costly brewing methods. Decoction might sound like a nasty medical procedure, but it is actually an important method of obtaining a full-bodied, flavor rich beer. Trouble is, it takes time (and costs money) so most brewers skip this step. But if the malt starches and proteins are not converted just right, the beer simply won’t be as good. OMB is committed to making only the best beer possible. We will not take shortcuts in the brewing process that save time and money but result in unbalanced, watery beers lacking in flavor, body or aroma. Finally, all OMB beers are lagered (cold conditioned) on the yeast after primary fermentation. This process requires expensive storage (lager) tanks which have to be kept cold (around 32 F) year round. However, the results are worth it. The difference between a beer just after primary fermentation and one that's been lagered for three weeks is enormous. Great beer… whatever it takes!