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Did you know that an English king ordered Germany's beloved beer to be taxed more than a millennium ago?

In 1152, Frederick I, also known as Barbarossa for his red beard, was crowned King of Germany. His rule is still lauded for successfully uniting former tribal duchies into an empire. However, an intriguing and lesser-known fact about Frederick's reign is the historic beer tax.

It all began when Barbarossa approved the Rheinheitsgebot, commonly known as the German Beer Purity Law, which regulated the ingredients in beer. The law intentionally protected German beer from foreign competition, allowing the local industry to thrive. Recognizing the commercial prowess of beer, England's King Henry II decided to impose a hefty tax on it in 1154, just two years into Frederick's reign. Depicted as a cunning and strategic move, Henry's decision was not received well by his German counterpart.

Though it sparked a diplomatic row initially, it ultimately led to stronger trade ties between the two nations. The episode serves as an early example of economic diplomacy and showcases the importance of beer in German culture and history.

Tags: #Germany #BeerTaxation #RedBeardRule #DiplomaticBeerWar