The Bayreuth Brewery - Over 160 Years of Brewing Tradition
Bavaria is renowned as the birthplace of German beer, while Franconia is considered the heart of German craft beer tradition. The Bayreuth Brewery is deeply rooted in Franconia, proudly representing Franconian and Bavarian beer culture to enthusiasts across the globe. With over 200 breweries, Franconia now boasts the highest brewery density in the world.
The Bayreuth Breweryโs story began over 160 years ago when Hugo Bayerlein (pictured below, top left) built striking industrial buildings on a hill at the edge of Bayreuth, Franconia - structures that still stand as prominent features of the town's skylineโฆ
In 1857, 24-year-old Hugo Bayerlein returned to his hometown of Bayreuth, Bavaria, following his first brewing experience in southern Bavaria. Eager to start his own brewery and craft beer to his tastes, Hugo purchased land on a hill known as the โDukeโ, west of the Red Main River. There, he built malting, brewing, refrigeration, and residential facilities and began producing beer.
At the time, most bakers and restaurateurs brewed their own beer, making Hugoโs independent brewery a rare and innovative venture. With modern brewing techniques and excellent cooling and storage capabilities in the cellars beneath his brewery, Hugoโs beer quickly gained popularity. The demand for Bayreuth Breweryโs beer grew rapidly, even reaching the neighbouring state of Thuringia - considered quite far in those days.
Hugoโs vision and enterprise established his brewery as a key player in the northern Bavarian beer scene, transforming it into a beloved landmark of Bayreuth.
Sale of the Bayreuth Brewery and its Conversion into a Joint-Stock Company
In 1872, Hugo sold the Bayreuth Brewery to the bankers Feustel, Wilmersdรถrfer, and Riemann, along with the landowner, Roth. They transformed the brewery into a joint-stock company, offering shares to families from Bayreuth. Rather than hindering the breweryโs success, this move further propelled it.
With most of the shareholders rooted in the breweryโs hometown, the new owners upheld Hugoโs commitment to quality and continued investing in modern facilities. These investments spurred another phase of growth, solidifying the breweryโs position in the market. By 1934, the Bayreuth Brewery had become the largest in the city, a testament to its continued success under new ownership.
Bayreuthโs Family-Led Equity Partnership
In 1965, the Maisel Brewery family, located just 100 meters from the Bayreuth Brewery, acquired a significant shareholding in the company. This acquisition gave the Bayreuth Brewery a fresh boost in its growth while enabling it to maintain its independence. The partnership between the Bayreuth Brewery and the neighbouring Maisel Brewery fostered a close, well-functioning collaboration and it was agreed that both breweries would continue to operate independently in the future. The remaining shares became available for free trade; held and sought after by loyal supporters and fans of the Bayreuth Brewery to this day.
With great foresight, the management teams of both breweries recognised the economic benefits of sharing resources. The Maisel and Bayreuth Breweries soon decided to pool their production capacities, as maintaining two state-of-the-art filling plants just 100 metres apart would have been impractical and costly. A joint production site was then established in the former Mainauen, below the Bayreuth and Maisel breweries.
Today, the Bayreuth Breweryโs brewmaster, Horst Weiร, oversees the production of their specialty beers, ensuring their Franconian and Bavarian brews maintain the high-quality standards and traditional craftsmanship that define the Bayreuth Brewery.
Top and Bottom Fermented Bavarian Beer Specialities
Their strategic collaboration laid the foundation for both breweries to continue operating independently. The Bayreuth Brewery brewmasters focused on their specialty bottom-fermented beers, such as Bayreuther HELL, while the Maisel Brewery concentrated on top-fermented beers, particularly Maiselโs Weisse. By honing their respective areas of expertise, both breweries were able to thrive and further solidify their positions in the German beer market. Their sustained economic and technological success can still be traced back to the forward-thinking decisions made over 50 years ago.
Regional Roots, Authentic Franconian Beer
Though the brewery sustained damage during World War II, it was rebuilt and remains a distinctive part of Bayreuth's cityscape. The town has always taken pride in its brewery and, in return, the Bayreuth Brewery has remained committed to its community. At local celebrations like the Bayreuth Citizens' Festival or the Summer Night Festival, the brewery has consistently stayed connected with the people of its hometown and surrounding areas. To this day, most shareholders are from Bayreuth and the region, ensuring that the brewery continues to reflect the townโs taste and embody the Franconian way of life.
A Bavarian Brewery of Tradition and Vision
Today, under the passionate leadership of Hans Joachim Leipold, Executive Board Member (and Bayreuth Brewery member since 2017), the Bayreuth Brewery continues to honour its rich traditions while ensuring the highest quality in its beers. Leipold and his team are dedicated to delivering unique Franconian and Bavarian beer specialties, sharing their heritage with beer lovers around the world.
The Bayreuth Brewery remains independent, committed to its traditions, and operates as a traditional family-run brewery, continuing the legacy of its founder, Hugo Bayerlein.
Experience Authentic Franconian Beers with Bayreuth Brewery and German Drinks
For over 160 years, the Bayreuth Brewery has crafted genuine, original beer specialties, following time-honoured German brewing traditions. Their brewmasters infuse passion and skill into creating exceptional beers with every brew. At German Drinks, we are thrilled to offer Bayreuther HELL, a true reflection of this craftsmanship. If you love it as much as we do, let us know - weโll be delighted to bring more of the Bayreuth Breweryโs finest beers to the UK.
From Franconia, Bavaria, to the whole of the UK - prost!