Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2015/C 390/08)

This publication confers the right to oppose the amendment application, pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN/PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS WHICH IS NOT MINOR

Application for approval of an amendment in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

‘BAYERISCHES BIER’

EU No: DE-PGI-0117-01220 — 4.4.2014

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Applicant group and legitimate interest

2.   Member State or Third Country

Germany

3.   Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment(s)

4.   Type of amendment(S)

5.   Amendment(s)

(b)   Description of product

(h)   Labelling:

The text has been modified by replacing the term ‘beer category’ with ‘type of beer’.

Justification:

The term ‘beer category’, which, under Article 3 of the German Beer Regulation, covers, for example, beer with a low original wort content or strong beer, was used by mistake.

The designation ‘Bayerisches Bier’ should actually be used in connection with a type of beer (e.g. Hell, Lager, Weizen, etc.).

(i)   Others:

1.   National requirements

The ‘Beer Regulation’ has been added to the national requirements.

Justification:

When the original application was drawn up, a reference to the German Beer Regulation of 2 July 1990 was mistakenly omitted. As the Beer Regulation lays down rules on the protection of the designation ‘beer’ and the identification of beer categories — and thus contains legal requirements for beer — it has to be mentioned for the sake of completeness.

2.   Inspection structure(s):

For inspections of producers:

For checks on abusive practices:

Justification:

The names and addresses of the government bodies responsible for inspections of producers and checks on abusive practices need to be updated. The reference to Lacon GmbH needs to be deleted. Producers can currently choose between several authorised inspection bodies in Bavaria.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘BAYERISCHES BIER’

EU No: DE-PGI-0117-01220 — 4.4.2014

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Name(s)

2.   Member State or Third Country

Germany

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 2.1. Beers

3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

Schankbier

Bottom-fermented

A full-bodied, soft, fizzy beer with fewer calories and less alcohol by volume than Vollbier (full-strength beer)

Hell/Lager

Bottom-fermented

A slightly aromatic, light, full-bodied, mild beer

Pils

Bottom-fermented

A distinctive, slightly sharp beer with a bitter edge lent by the hops

Export

Bottom-fermented

A full-bodied, well-rounded bitter taste

Dunkel

Bottom-fermented

A full-bodied beer with a malty aroma

Schwarzbier

Bottom-fermented

A beer with a roasted aroma, a slight malty aroma and a bitter edge lent by the hops

Märzen/Festbier

Bottom-fermented

A malty-flavoured beer with a slightly bitter edge lent by the hops

Bock

Bottom-fermented

A full-bodied, malty-flavoured beer with a delicate aroma of hops

Doppelbock

Bottom-fermented

A distinctly full-bodied, malty-flavoured beer with a hint of caramel

Weizenschankbier

Top-fermented

A fizzy beer with the aroma of yeast

Weizenbier

Top-fermented

A fruity beer with an aroma of wheat and a slightly malty flavour

Kristallweizen

Top-fermented

A carbonated beer with the aroma of wheat

Rauchbier

Bottom-fermented

A full-bodied beer with a smoky flavour

Kellerbier/Zwickelbier

Bottom-fermented

A beer with a slightly bitter edge lent by the hops, unfiltered, tapped from the lower part of the barrel, with a low carbon dioxide content

Eisbier/Icebier

bottom-fermented

Very mild and soft

These values are subject to the analytical tolerances laid down by law and recognised by the relevant food monitoring authorities in Bavaria.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

For the most part, high-quality local raw materials (water, hops, malt) from Bavaria are used. The hops and malt are traditionally subject to continuous quality checks from scientific institutes, such as the Technische Universität München-Weihenstephan.

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

The entire production process takes place in the geographical area specified.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

—

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The beer label bears one of the types of beer listed under 3(2) together with the designation ‘Bayerisches Bier’.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

Bavaria, subdivided into 7 government regions.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The quality and reputation of ‘Bayerisches Bier’ can be attributed to a centuries-old brewing tradition under the 1516 Bavarian Purity Law. The production process to be followed has been laid down by law since the 15th century. Over the centuries, a large number of different recipes evolved as the Bavarian brewers’ expertise developed, which has led to a range of varieties that is unique worldwide. Bavaria is the birthplace of wheat beer and the site of the world’s largest wheat beer brewery. Weihenstephan is home to one of the most famous brewing institutions in the world. The ancient brewing tradition, the resulting range of varieties and the predominant use of top-quality raw materials from Bavaria mean that ‘Bayerisches Bier’ is generally highly regarded among consumers.

The conclusions of the EU institutions under the simplified declaration procedure on the link between ‘Bayerisches Bier’ and its renown were examined and confirmed by the European Court of Justice in Case C-343/07.

Reference to publication of the product specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/geo/detail.pdfdownload/40790

(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.