In a move set to redefine the very essence of Russia`s favorite amber fluid, Rosstandart, the country`s technical regulation agency, has approved a new national standard (GOST) for beer. Slated to take effect in 2027, this updated regulation aims to bring much-needed clarity to the brewing industry, while simultaneously sparking lively debates among experts about its practical implications.
The Quest for a Clearer Definition of “Beer”
For years, the definition of “beer” has been a topic of contention, blurring lines between traditional brews and innovative, sometimes ambiguous, “beer drinks.” The new GOST addresses this head-on, providing a more stringent definition: officially, only products where ethyl alcohol is formed exclusively through the fermentation of beer wort derived from malt, hops, or hop products, and contain no artificial flavorings, can bear the revered name of “beer.” This aims to distinguish genuine beer from its more eclectic, often less traditional, cousins.
Expanding the Malt Palette: A Nod to Craft Innovation
One of the most welcomed changes in the new standard is the expansion of permissible malts. Beyond the classic barley and wheat, brewers will now be able to officially incorporate rye, buckwheat, and other malts into their recipes. This is a significant win for the burgeoning craft beer segment, which often experiments with diverse grain bills to achieve unique flavors. As Alexander Idzhon, coordinator of the “Craft-depot” association, notes, this positive development finally lifts previous, seemingly arbitrary, restrictions on certain malt types, like rye.
The 80/20 Rule: Precision or Populism?
However, not all aspects of the new GOST have been met with universal acclaim. The standard introduces a stipulation that beer must be made from at least 80% malt, with a maximum of 20% allocated to other raw materials. While seemingly a measure to ensure quality, this specific percentage has raised eyebrows. Idzhon provocatively labels this “populism,” questioning the scientific basis for such a precise cutoff. “Who, in a blind tasting, could differentiate beer with 20% non-malted raw material from 100% malted?” he muses, highlighting the potentially arbitrary nature of the rule. The industry will now grapple with adhering to a threshold that some feel might be more about perception than genuine taste or quality difference.
Beyond Beer: The Unruly World of “Beer Drinks”
Perhaps even more critical than the definition of beer itself, is the ongoing ambiguity surrounding “beer drinks.” Denis Puzyrev, an expert on the alcohol market, argues that clarifying this category is the “second, more important question.” Currently, “beer drink” is a catch-all term that encompasses a vast array of products – from international lagers like “Corona” (due to their wider use of non-malted ingredients) to sparkling wine imitators, various low-alcohol cocktails, and even, chillingly, products implicated in public health scandals like the “Mr. Cider” methanol poisoning incident. Puzyrev stresses that a more precise definition for these beverages is paramount, as their current broad classification poses significant regulatory challenges and potential consumer confusion.
A Long Brew: Implementation and Outlook
The journey to this new GOST has been a lengthy one, with development underway since 2019, reflecting the complexity and importance of updating the previous, now “long outdated,” 2012 regulation. While the 2027 effective date offers brewers ample time to adjust their processes and update labeling, experts generally anticipate that the overall impact on the market will be nuanced. Some “beer drinks” might indeed qualify as “beer” under the new rules, which could be a positive for their branding. However, claims of a dramatic reduction in falsified products are met with skepticism, as experts suggest such issues were rarely, if ever, prevalent in the first place.
Ultimately, Russia`s new GOST for beer represents a significant step towards greater standardization and potentially enhanced product transparency. Yet, like any grand regulatory endeavor, it navigates a delicate balance between clear definitions, industry innovation, and the sometimes murky waters of market reality, leaving some questions bubbling to the surface for the years to come.
