Traditional brewing and a love of experimentation

Beer has been flowing from the taps of this brewery in the center of Sonthofen for over 350 years. Master brewer Kilian Stückler is leading the "Hirschbräu" in its sixth generation.

By BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH

BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH

Brewmaster Kilian Stückler by bavaria.travel - Bernhard HuberOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH

New recipes based on old craft traditions

The traditional brewery "Der Hirschbräu" has been family-owned for 160 years and was taken over in 2020 by master brewer Kilian Stückler. Since then, unusual new beer recipes have been meticulously worked on, and old brewing traditions have been continued.

Brewing ingredients by bavaria.travel - Bernhard HuberOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH

Regional ingredients

The beers are brewed in strict accordance with the German Beer Purity Law known as the Reinheitsgebot. All of the raw ingredients come from the region: the malt comes from Bavaria and the Swabian Alb, the hops from Tettnang and Hallertau, and the water comes from the brewery's own well.

Fermenting cellar by bavaria.travel - Bernhard HuberOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH

Despite modern brewing equipment, beer is still brewed traditionally here. Beers mature in the storage cellar for four to eight weeks. Many breweries can no longer afford to spend this much time maturing beer.

New recipe creations by bavaria.travel - Bernhard HuberOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH

As a young master brewer, Kilian Stückler is extremely keen to experiment. He is constantly working on new beer recipes and, in addition to classic beers, he creates innovative craft beers with unique flavors using traditional brewing methods.

Beer Brewing Process by bavaria.travel - Bernhard HuberOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH

Using special hops and malts allows beers to acquire specific notes for example of coffee, chocolate, or fruit. Plus, how the barley grains used to make the malt are roasted can change the taste of the beer.

Beer creations by bavaria.travel - Bernhard HuberOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH

Hirschbräu Sonthofen by bavaria.travel - Bernhard HuberOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH

Der Hirschbräu is located in the middle of the pedestrian area in Sonthofen. Sonthofen is a health resort in the Allgäu that serves as a gateway to the High Alps, and is the southernmost city in Germany.

Credits: Story

Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH—erlebe.bayern Der Hirschbräu, Private brewery Höß GmbH Co. KG—Sonthofen

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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