EDELWEISS - The White, Woolly FLOWER
EDELWEISS - The SOUND OF MUSIC

EDELWEISS - The WEIZEN BEER!

Edelweiß (noble and white), the queen of the mountain flowers, is a small, white and woolly flowering plant that grows high in the rocky cliffs of the Austrian and Bavarian alps. In the alpine tradition, one says that "Nur die Elite kann Edelweiß erreichen" (only the elite can reach the Edelweiß). The connotation and innuendo is that only the experienced mountain climbers, the elite, can climb up to the Edelweiß.

Alpine folklore explains that a young man will climb the steep cliffs, pluck an Edelweiß and bring it to the "Mädchen," his beloved. Tales of love and tragedy surround this daring feat of climbing the Alps, fetching the Edelweiß as proof of pure love and worthiness. Even today there is a Rock/Rapp song called "If you really love me, bring me an Edelweiss," sung in English by an Austrian group.

Additionally you can find replicas of Edelweiss, the flower, on pins, Edelweiss on match-books and cigarette lighters, Edelweiss adorning ski-caps, suspenders, chocolate candy bars called Edelweiss, and the Edelweiss symbol is even on the back-side of the major Austrian currency, the Schilling.

The latest research, however, initially in a book dating from 1910, but ony recently recovered, indicates that Edelweiss, the flower, was actually imported from Asia sometime within the past centuries. What a travisty of justice for virually the national symbol of Austria and the Alps!

EDELWEISS IN EXILE

Bad enough that Edelweiss may not have originated in the alps, but the final irony is that due to ecological problems in Europe, and the alps in particular, Edelweiß, the flower, is being considered an endangered species of vegetation. Because of this, already in the fall of 1990, a number of Edelweiß plants were "evacuated" to New Zealand, to a new, protected home, for preservation and propagation.

Furthermore the other week I met an old German gardener who has lived for decades in Idaho,and he told me that he had obtained some Edelweiss seeds, and is successfully growing Edelweiss in Idaho, albeit at an altitude of over 6000 feet. Possibly Edelweiss, the flower, is growing where the eagles are soaring!

Edelweiß, although clearly a flower, is now also the brand name of an Austrian beer known as Weizen, Weiss, or wheat beer in the generic. It has gained great popularity throughout Europe. One can not go into a restaurant, or bar in Salzburg, Kitzbühel, or Innsbruck, without seeing this beer, in its distinctive glass, being served.

We of PA'S BIER, are importing this distinctive brew for the true beer drinkers, not only for those in California, but also throughout the U.S. (Edelweiss is now available in at least twenty-five states.) It is interesting that most Americans immediately associate Edelweiss with the "Sound of Music," and can easily pronounce its name. More importantly, they enjoy the unique flavor of the beer, the balance of the elegant glass, and the alpine traditions associated with it.

Sing the praises of Edelweiss, the flower,

but pick only an Edelweiss, the

beer.

See also "Go climb the alps in Malibu,"


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