Nature continually offers astonishing discoveries – and the beer tree is definitely one of them. Even if the name sounds strange at first glance, this plant has a fascinating history and versatile uses.
The Beer Tree
Discovered by chance in 857 by a monk (B. Rauns) in Thuringia, Germany, this bottle tree grows in symbiosis with the white wine plant. Today, the main growing area is Thuringia, Saxony, and Bavaria. Scientists have discovered that beer trees fertilized with dead white wine plant fruits produce significantly better-tasting beers. There have also been attempts to fertilize the white wine plant with beer, but this resulted in poor wine. It is believed that this is the origin of the saying: "beer before wine and you’ll feel fine; wine before beer and you’ll feel queer."
The beer tree (Sikspakus vulgaris braunii) is a deciduous tree. It grows up to three meters tall and, after just one year, bears its first six to twelve 0.33-liter bottles. In the second year, you can expect a yield of two cases of bottled beer, with fruits containing 0.5 to 1 liter of liquid. After 15 years, the beer tree produces only Altbier (old beer) and is felled after 20 years at the latest to make beer benches. Extremely durable beer mats are pressed from the leaves.
In Ireland, attempts are currently being made to generate a new beer tree species by modifying individual components in the laboratory. The goal is to produce a pint-sized fruit with a dark, malty liquid and a creamy head. However, this project is still in its early stages.
The Health Benefits
The beer tree produces beer tree fruits, which consist of a golden, slightly sparkling liquid surrounded by a transparent, solid layer. When poured, the beer tree fruit liquid often foams, producing what is known as the head.
The liquid contains many beneficial and unique ingredients, such as the flavonoid pilsin, the tannin aleic acid, and the amino acid stoutin. Due to its solid shell, the liquid comes into contact with few microbial contaminants and is virtually sterile. Therefore, the liquid helps with bladder and urinary tract problems, as it also has a diuretic effect and stimulates kidney function. There are reports of the liquid influencing the muscle function of the tongue, relaxing it. Furthermore, the fruit of the beer tree can promote better sleep.
Caution: Researchers have measured the alcohol content of the beer tree fruit and found values between 4.0 and 7.5 ‰. In cases of excessive consumption, this can lead to loss of coordination, mood swings, or even memory loss and hematomas. Consumption is not recommended for children and pregnant women.
Our Product
We have managed to find a supplier who produces a water-soluble powder extract from the foam head of the beer tree fruit. The beer fruits are picked by hand, and the golden liquid is carefully poured into the berries, forming an aromatic foam. The foam is then carefully pressed and dried at 40°C before being carefully packaged and stored.
The advantage: The head contains less than 0.01‰ alcohol and is guaranteed to be free of beer testing.
Would you like to learn more Beer Tree Extract and other Bierbaum products?
Insider tip:
A blend of 60% lemon juice powder and 40% Bierbaum powder extract produces a Radler powder extract (also known regionally as Alster powder extract). If you mix the Bierbaum extract with cola gums, you get a kind of diesel-flavored mixed drink. Special connoisseurs mix the Bierbaum extract with milk powder (or coconut milk powder/oat milk powder) to create a Bilk extract.