Speidel's Braumeister
Page 26 of 32
15 Legal aspects of home brewing (German legislation)
Hobby brewers who make beer at home for their own consumption are permitted to produce
up to 200 L of beer per year free of tax. This beer may not be sold. The home brewer must
notify this before starting brewing to the nearest Main Customs Office. This is laid down in
the Directive on Implementation of the Law on Beer Tax (BierStV).
If more than 200 L of beer is brewed, the beer is liable to tax. This must also be notified to the
Main Customs Office and the quantities brewed are to be detailed and tax paid. Please contact
your Customs Office for more detailed information.
For your own use, or for retail sales on your own premises, or for direct sales, up to 500 hL
(50,000 L) per year may be brewed without a formal qualification as a Master Brewer. Larger
quantities require training as a Master Brewer.
A permit is required to sell beer. This is independent of the Regulations stated above.
We accept no liability regarding the completeness and accuracy of the named legislation and
regulations stated above. Please ask your Main Customs Office for the exact regulations in
your Federal State.
The Customs Office responsible for your area can be found at www.zoll-d.de.
