The "dryest beer"

A German brewery is set to release the world's first “complete” beer in powdered form.

Neuzeller Klosterbräu in eastern Germany, which has been brewing for nearly 500 years, said it will put the powder on sale this year.

The product could cut the weight of shipments by 90 percent because there will be no need to carry it in heavy bottles or in liquid form, with cheaper delivery potentially having a knock-on effect on the price of pints.

The "dryest beer", as it has been called, differs from other powdered beers released over the last few years as it is carbonated and contains alcohol.

"It's the world's first complete beer in powdered form and it could change the world," Stefan Fritsche, the brewery's managing director, told The Times.

Stefan Fritsche, the brewery's managing director, said Neuzeller had developed the powder over the last two years with government funding.

"Add water and you'll get a beer with the complete beer taste including alcohol and carbon dioxide and a head of foam. In principle we can produce any beer in the world using the method — dark beer, light beer, India pale ale, whatever."

An alcohol-free version of the light beer was presented by the company last week.

The beer powder would make water, bottles, crates and kegs obsolete in international beer logistics, reduce weight and fuel consumption, and help the environment.

"We have calculated that, if we now relate this to Germany, we can save about 3 to 5 percent of the CO2 emissions for Germany alone. And if you look at it globally, that would be about half a percent of CO2 emissions worldwide that we could reduce," Fritsche said.

Fritsche said powdered beer would only suit brewers that supplied markets far away and that Germany's mostly small and medium-sized brewers would continue to conventionally brew and bottle beer for their local consumers.

He added: "We also know that the classic Pils drinkers and all craft beer enthusiasts, especially in Germany, will initially be sceptical about our product."

With the product, the company is mainly targeting overseas firms who would not require brewing knowledge but could turn the powder into beer for their end consumers.