A big anniversary celebration in Germany has an Okanagan connection.
Canada Post has printed a new stamp commemorating the 500th anniversary of the proclamation of the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot – German Beer Purity Law.
Duke William IV of Bavaria issued a proclamation in 1516 that from that day forward, beer only could contain water, barley, hops and yeast.
Prior to that beer could and would contain various berries, roots, and other ingredients which actually could make people sick.
Over time the remainder of the German states adopted the Purity law creating one of the oldest regulated food laws.
“The Germans, being a beer loving nation, have various festivities going on to celebrate this anniversary and the German Post Office and the Munich stamp club also created a couple of postage stamps to celebrate this momentous occasion,” said Peter Lepold of the Kelowna and District Stamp Club.
Lepold designed a special stamp to help the City of Armstrong celebrate its 100th birthday in 2013.
The Canadian stamp shows a Bavarian beer stein with the 1516 – 2016 years. There is also an envelope with the stamp which was cancelled April 23.
The Okanagan connection is Vernon’s Okanagan Spring Brewery.
In 1985, a couple of German immigrants created the Vernon-based brewery. Thirty years later there still is a Bavarian brew master (Stefan Tobler) who oversees the operation and brews amongst other brands a “1516” Bavarian style lager beer.
The Vernon “1516” beer bottle is also displayed on the envelope.
Stamps and envelopes can be obtained from members of the Kelowna and District Stamp Club or directly from Lepold at plepold@hotmail.com or by phone, 250-765-3502.