Breweries in the former DDR
their history - their beers - statistics


Introduction

Index
DDR Brewery Statistics
German Brewery Statistics
Brandenburg Breweries
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Breweries
Thüringen Breweries
Sachsen Breweries
Sachsen-Anhalt Breweries
Berlin Breweries
This is a list of the breweries currently operating in the six states of the Bundesrepublik Deutschland which formerly comprised the DDR.

In 1989, the last year before the fall of the old DDR regime, total beer production was 24 million hl. Unification and, more particularly currencey union with West Germany, caused a dramatic fall to just 7.5 million hl in 1991.

Unsurprisingly, many breweries were unable to survive such drastic developments and there were many closures in the early 90's. With the rekindling of interest in local products in the East, the situation has considerably improved since. At a time when in Germany as a whole beer ouput is declining, the only states to have shown any growth are in the East. In the year 2000, production was back up to around 20 million hl.

For those historically-minded, here's a ist of all DDR breweries that ever existed.



Breweries in the former DDR
Statistics



Beer Production by state (in 1000 hl)
State 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Berlin/Brandenburg 4,349 4,383 4,221 3,933 3,724 3,800 3,782 3,609 3,801
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 1,829 1,973 2,131 1,517 1,959 2,500 2,099 2,746 3,096
Sachsen 7,118 7,681 7,807 8,325 8,439 8,400 8,460 8,646 8,740
Sachsen-Anhalt 1,831 2,154 2,267 2,302 2,382 2,100 2,592 2,990 2,965
Thüringen 2,394 2,600 2,670 3,084 3,127 4,100 4,000 3,548 3,579
DDR 17,532 18,791 19,096 19,221 19,631 20,900 20,933 21,539 22,181
All Germany 114,200 114,800 111,700 112,800 110,400 108,500 108,400 105,568 105,804
Source:
1996-2002: Deutscher Brauer-Bund
2003-2004: Brauwelt Brevier 2005, p.62


Numer of breweries by state
state
1976 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Berlin/Brand. - 23@ 26@ 26@ 20@ 22* 27* 32 33 31 35 34 34 36 38
Sachsen - 40@ 34@ 33@ 32@ 32* 34* 38 45 50 51 56 56 54 55
Mecklenburg/Vorp.   9@ 7@ 7@ 6@ 9* 9* 11 11 12 14 17 18 19 18
Sachsen-Anhalt - 20@ 16@ 15@ 13@ 13* 13* 12 13 16 15 15 18 18 18
Thuringen - 51@ 45@ 41@ 45@ 46* 48* 52 43 43 41 40 42 43 43
DDR - 133 128 122 116 122 131 145 145 152 156 162 168 170 172
All Germany - 1356@ 1365@ 1319@ 1278@ 1243* 1234* 1273 1285 1281 1279 1298 1287 1275 1274
Sources:
Deutscher Brauer-Bund, Bonn.
* Brauwelt Brevier 1998
@ Die Deutsche Brauwirtschaft in Zahlen, 1994


Largest Schwarzbier producers (hl)
Beer/brewery 2001 2003 2004
Köstritzer Schwarzbier 431,000# 450,200 445,497
König Ludwig Dunkel   113,000 100,000
Radeberger Gruppe (total)
Krusovice
  90,000*
45,000*
100,000*
55,000*
Münchbräu Eibau Schwarzbier   70,000 70,000
Kulmbacher Brauereien   26,000 31,000
Inbev   30,000* 30,000*
Oettinger Schwarzbier   24,000 26,430
Klosterbrauerei Neuzelle   24,000 25,000
Schwarzer Steiger (Holsten Gruppe)   30,000* 25,000*
Jever Dark   39,000 21,000
Source:
Brauwelt 16-17, 2005, p.501
* estimated
# Köstritzer website




Breweries in the former DDR
Brandenburg


Brauhaus und Pension Babben
Brauhausgasse 2,
03222 Lübbenau.
Tel.: 03542 - 2126
Fax: 03542 - 872 627
Email: mail@babben-bier.de
http://www.babben-bier.de

Founded: 1670 (1996)
Annual production: 400 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Pils     Pils.  
Spezialbier     Dark lager.  
Weizen     Wheat beer. Seasonal.  
Märzen     Amber lager - Märzen. Seasonal.  
Bockbier     Bock. Seasonal.  
Festbier     Seasonal - Christmas.  

Microbrewery.

The brewery was bought by brewer Erich Babben in 1928 and named "Erich Babben Stadtbrauerei Lübbenau". In 1962 the state took a stake in the brewery and it was renamed "Erich Babben KG Stadtbrauerei Lübbenau". In 1972 the brewery was nationalised as "VEB Stadtbrauerei Lübbenau". Brewing stopped after the mashtun broke in 1974, though soft drinks were still produced. In 1996 a 50 hl brewery was installed. This was such a success that it was replaced with a 5 hl installation in 1998.


Braumanufaktur Forsthaus Templin
Templiner Straße 102,
14473 Potsdam.
Telefon: 033209 - 217979
Fax: 033209 - 217980
http://www.braumanufaktur.de/

Founded: 2004
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Braumanufaktur Pils     Pils. Unfiltered.  
Braumanufaktur Lager     Unfiltered.  
Braumanufaktur Potsdamer Stange     A pre-war beer style, named after the tall glasses in which it was served. Unfiltered.  

Brewpub.

Opening times:
Sun-Thur 11:00 - 23:00,
Fri-Sat 11:00 - 01:00


Hofbrauhaus Krongut Bornstedt
Ribbeckstr. 6-7,
14469 Potsdam.
Tel.: 0331 - 550 65 0
Fax: 0331 - 550 65 15
http://www.krongut-bornstedt.de/

Founded: 2002
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Bornstedter Büffel     Braunbier. Top-fermented.  

Brewpub.


KavalierHäuser Schloss Königs Wusterhausen Hofbrauerei
Schlossplatz 1,
15711 Königs Wusterhausen.
Tel: 03375 - 212 090
Fax: 03375 - 212 0950
Email: info@schloss-koenigs-wusterhausen.de
www.schloss-koenigs-wusterhausen.de

Founded: 2004
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Wusterhausener Zwölfende     Amber, top-fermenting beer.  

Brewpub in a castle.


Kircher Brauhaus GmbH
Brauhausstr.43,
03116 Drebkau.
Tel.: 035602 - 701
Fax.: 035602 - 22388
Email: kircher@t-online.de
Homepage: http://www.brauerei-kircher.de/

Founded: 1760 (1998)
Annual production: 3,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Kirchers Pils     Pils.  
Kirchers Dunkle     Dark lager.  

Brepub.

The brewery became the Schloßbrauerei Drebkau in 1870 and was owned by the Reeka family until 1949, when it was bought by Hildegard Kircher. Her father, Anton Kircher, had been a brewer since 1898 and ran the Bayrische Brauerei in Cottbus. In 1972 the brewery in Drebkau was nationalised, but it was repurchased by Hildegard Kircher's sons in 1992. Production recomenced in 1998.


Landskron Brauhaus Cottbus
Bahnhofstraße 14/ 15,
03046 Cottbus.
Tel.: 03 55 - 494 56 91
Fax: 03 55 - 494 56 92
http://www.landskron.de/brauhaus/index.html

Founded: 1869
Annual production: 200,000 hl (2003)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Landskron Pupen-Schultzes Schwarzes 3.9% 9.5º Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Landskron Hell 4.7% 11.3º Pale lager - Helles.  
Landskron Premium Pilsner 4.8% 11.6º Pils.  
Landskron Lausitzer Kindl 4.8% 11.6º Pils.  
Landskron Hefeweizen 5.2% 12.8º Unfiltered pale wheat beer.  
Landskron Ein Schlesier 5.2% 13º Pale lager - Export.  
Landskron Winterhopfen 5.5% 13.5º Amber lager. Seasonal - Winter.  
Landskron Maibock/Goldbock 6.2% 16.3º Pale Bock. Seasonal - March-June, September-January.  

Independent brewery. Repurchased by the Scheller family in 1992.


Brauhaus “Zur Linde”
Lindenstraße 1,
03197 Jänschwalde.
Tel: (03 56 07) 5 02
Fax: (03 56 07) 5 09

Founded: 2001
Annual production:

Brewpub.


UBG-Uckermärker Brauerei GmbH
Dorfstr. 43,
16230 Golzow.
Tel.: 03334 - 420557
Fax.: 03334 - 429202
Email:
http://www.choriner.de/

Founded:
Annual production: 1,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Choriner Classic 5%   Lightly hopped Pils.  
Choriner Herb 5%   Heavily hopped Pils.  
Choriner Dunkel 5%   Dark lager.  
Choriner Schwarzbier 5%   Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Choriner Weizenbier 5%   Wheat beer. Seasonal - Summer.  
Choriner Maibock 6.4%   Pale Bock. Seasonal - Spring.  
Choriner Oktoberbock 6.4%   Bock. Seasonal - October  
Choriner Weihnachtsbier     Seasonal - Christmas.  

Brewpub. The beers are also available in Öko- (organic) versions and unfiltered versions.


Meierei - Brauhaus
Im Neuen Garten 10,
14469 Potsdam.
Tel 0331 - 704 32 11
Fax 0331 -704 32 13

Founded: 2003
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Meierei Hell     Unfiltered pale lager.  
Meierei Spezial     Unfiltered dark lager.  
Schwarzbier     Dark lager - Schwarzbier. Unfiltered. Seasonal.  
Märzen     Amber lager - Märzen. Unfiltered. Seasonal.  
Maibock     Pale Bock. Unfiltered. Seasonal - Spring.  
Herbstbock     Dark Bock. Unfiltered. Seasonal - Autumn.  
Weihnachtsfestbier     Seasonal - Christmas.  

Brewpub.


Klosterbrauerei Neuzelle GmbH
Brauhausplatz 1,
15898 Neuzelle.
Tel.: 033652 - 8100
Fax: 033652 - 81070
http://www.neuzeller-bier.de/

Founded: 1589
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Schwarzer Abt 3.9% 12° Dark lager - Schwarzbier. The cause of a long dispute between the brewery and the government. Finally it was ruled that it can be called "Bier", despite being bottom-fermented and using sugar. Hopefully another nail in the coffin of the Reinheitsgebot.  
Mönchspils 4.8% 11° Pils.  
Bibulibus 4.8% 11° Unfiltered pale lager.  
Winzerbier 4.9% 11° Pale lager.  
Schlaubetaler Landbier 4.1%   Pale lager.  
Klostermalz 1.8% 11° Malzbier.  
Bock 6.2% 16° Pale Bock.  
Original Badebier     Dark lager. Unfiltered. Designed to be either drunk or bathed in (I'm not kidding).  
Kirschbier     Bock with cherry juice.  
Anti Aging Bier     Sounds like wishful thinking to me.  
Closter Zell 6.3% 16° Pale Bock.  
Schwarzbier Extra Stark 7% 18º Schwarzbier Bock.  
Marathon Beer 4.8%   Pils. Enriched with L-Carnitin.  
Schwarzbier Extra Stark 7% 18º Schwarzbier Bock.  

Independent brewery. A brewery with some interesting, some dubious and some plain weird products.


Frankfurter Brauhaus
Lebuser Chaussee 3,
15234 Frankfurt (Oder).
Tel: 0335 661 - 967
Fax: 0335 661 - 914
Email: kontakt@frankfurter-brauhaus.de
http://frankfurter-brauhaus.de/

Founded: 2004
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Frankfurter Pilsener 5.2%   Pils.  
Frankfurter Export 5.2%   Pale lager - Export  
Pilsator Pilsener 5%   Pils. Pilsator - now there's a name that evokes some memories.  

The former Oderland Brauerei which was closed in 2003 and reopened a year later after a management buyout. The largest brewery in Brandenburg. Produces "own-label" supermarket brands in addition to the beers listed.


Frankfurts Brauhaus "Der Oderspeicher"
Hanewald 9,
15230 Frankfurt a.d. Oder.
Tel.: 0335 - 535885
Fax: 0335 - 535887
http://www.der-oderspeicher.de/

Founded: 1992 *** CLOSED 2003 ***
Annual production: 500 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Speicher Pils     Pils.  
Speicher Dunkel     Dark lager. Brewed with hemp flowers.  
Speicher Hefeweizen     Wheat beer. Unfiltered.  
Speicher Maibock     Pale bock.  

Brewpub.


Oderland - Brauerei GmbH
Lebuser Chausee 3,
15234 Frankfurt a.d. Oder.
Tel.: 0335 - 6610
Fax: 0335 - 661914
http://come.to/oderland-brauerei

Founded: 1969 *** CLOSED 2003 ***
Annual production: 310,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Spitzkrug Märkisches Pils 4.9%   Pils.  

Since 1991owned by the Berliner Schultheiss-Brauerei.

The brewery closed December 31st 2003. Restarted in 2004 as Frankfurter Brauhaus.


Privatbrauerei Preussen Pils GmbH
Meyenburger Tor 3 - 5,
16928 Pritzwalk.
Tel.: 03395 - 30540
Fax: 03395 - 305490 / 92
http://www.preussenpils.de/

Founded: 1795
Annual Production: 30,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Pritzwalker Schraube Pilsener 4.8% 11.2° Pils.  
Bärenquell Pilsener Spezial 4.8% 11.3° Pils.  
Brandenburger Pilsener Landbier 4.8% 11.5° Pils.  
Preussen Pils Premium 4.9% 11.5° Pils.  
Brandenburger Dunkles Bauernbier 4.9% 11.5° Dark lager.  
Preussen Schwarzbier Premium 5.2% 12.5° Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Brandenburger Export 5.4% 12° Pale lager - Export.  
Brandenburger Dunkler Bock 6.9% 16.5° Dark bock.  

Independent brewery. 1945-89 part of VEB Getränkekombinat Potsdam. Its beer had a very good reputation during the DDR period.


Kneipe Pur
Lewaldstr. 23,
14774 Plaue.
Tel: 03381 -403466
http://www.kneipepur.de/

Founded: 1999
Annual production:

Brewpub.


Wirtshausbrauerei Radigk
Sonnewalderstr. 13,
03238 Finsterwalde.
Tel.: 03531 - 2286
Fax: 03531 - 709938
EMail: info@radigks.de
www.radigks.de

Founded:
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Radigk's Pilsener 5.1% 12.5° Pils. Unfiltered.  
Radigk's Spezial     Dark lager. Unfiltered.  
Radigk's "111" 7% 16° Dark lager. Unfiltered. Seasonal.  
Radigk's Radikator 6.8% 16.2° Bock. Unfiltered. Seasonal.  

Brewpub.

Opening times:
Tue-Sat 18:00 - ,
Sun 12:00 - ,
Monday closed.


Privatbrauerei Rheinsberg "Zum Alten Brauhaus"
Rhinhöher Weg 1,
16831 Rheinsberg.
Tel.: 033931 - 72088
Fax: 033931 - 72081
http://www.brauerei-rheinsberg.de

Founded 1906
Annual production: 2,000 hl

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Rheinsberger Kronprinzen-Pils     Pils. Unfiltered.  
Rheinsberger Kronprinzen-Pils     Pils. Filtered.  
Rheinsberger Kronprinzen-Pils Dunkel     Dark lager. Unfiltered.  

Brewpub. From 1961 to 1990 VEB Brauhaus Rheinsberg. A former dairy where it was first brewed in 1906. In 1994 the old brewhouse was converted into a brewpub. The smallest brewery in Brandenburg.

Open daily from 11:00.


Gasthaus Sieben Brunnen
Brunnen Str. 2
03238 Finsterwalde
Tel.: 03531 8526
http://www.kegelhalle.de/

Founded: 2002
Annual production:

Brewpub in a skittle alley.


Spreewälder Privatbrauerei
Dorfstr.53,
15910 Schleßzig.
Tel.: 035472 - 6620
Fax.: 035472 - 473
Email: spreewaldbrauerei@t-online.de
http://www.spreewaldbrauerei.de/

Founded: 1998
Annual production: 1,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Spreewälder Weissbier 5% 12.5º Unfiltered pale wheat beer.  
"Spreelator" Spreewälder Doppelbock 7.4% 17.5º Dark Doppelbock.  

Brewpub. Also a distillery.


Schloßbrauerei Dessow GmbH
Neuruppinerstr. 2,
16845 Dessow.
Tel.: 033974 - 650
Fax: 033974 - 65145

Founded: 1867
Annual Production: 261.000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Märkisches Pils 4.9% 11.5º Pils. Bitterness 30 EBU.  
Kyritzer Mord und Totschlag 5.3%   Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Märkisches Export 5.4% 12.3º Pale lager - Export.  
Märkisches Urbräu 5.6% 12º Pale lager - Spezial. Bitterness 24 EBU.  
Märkischer Bock 6.8% 16.3º Bock. Bitterness 18 EBU.  

Owned by Oettinger Brauerei.


Schloßbrauerei GmbH Fürstlich Drehna
Lindenplatz 10,
03246 Fürstlich Drehna.
Tel.: 035324 - 431
Fax: 035324 - 605
http://www.bartzsch.de/brauerei/

Founded: 1745 *** CLOSED 2000 ***
Annual production: 15,000 hl (2000)

Independent brewery.


Schloßbrauerei Wiesenburg GmbH
Neuenhüttenerstr 1,
14827 Wiesenburg.
Tel.: 033849 7900

Founded:
Annual production:

Nationalised in 1952 as VEB Schloßbrauerei. In 1972 it became VEB GK Potsdam Werk Wiesenburg. Privatised in 1990 as Schloßbrauerei Wiesenburg


Turm Gasthaus - Brauerei GmbH
Heinersdorfer Damm 1 - 11,
16303 Schwedt / Oder.
Tel.: 03332 4430
Fax: 03332 443111
info@turmhotel-schwedt.de
http://www.turmhotel-schwedt.de/

Founded: 1995
Annual production: 1,500 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Schwedter Turmbräu        

Pub, hotel and brewery housed in an old water tower and its adjacent buildings.


Luckenwalder Spezialitäten Brauerei
Haag 11,
14943 Luckenwalde.
Tel.: 03371 - 632012
Fax: 03371 - 632923

Founded: 1865
Annual production: 4,000 hl

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Luckenwalder Pils     Pils.  
Luckenwalder Goldsiegl     Pale lager.  
Luckenwalder Bock     Bock.  

Independent brewery.


Worrich's Pub - 1. Forster Brauhaus
Albertstraße 20,
03149 Forst.
Tel.: 03562 - 98 41 22

Founded: 2004
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Schwarze Jule     Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  

Brewpub.

Opening times:
Tue-Sun 18:00 - ,
Monday closed.





Breweries in the former DDR
Mecklenburg - Vorpommern


Braugasthaus " Zum Alten Fritz "
Markt 13,
17489 Greifswald.
Tel.: 03834 - 578320
http://www.stralsunder.de/gastron.html

Founded:
Annual production:

Brewpub. Owned by the Stralsunder Brauerei. Visitors have expressed doubt as to whether brewing really takes place in the Alten Fritz pubs.


Braugasthaus " Zum Alten Fritz "
Warnaufer 65,
18057 Rostock.
Tel.: 0381 - 208780
http://www.stralsunder.de/gastron.html

Founded:
Annual production:

Brewpub. Owned by the Stralsunder Brauerei. Visitors have expressed doubt as to whether brewing really takes place in the Alten Fritz pubs.


Braugasthaus " Zum Alten Fritz "
Greifswalder Chaussee 84-85,
18435 Stralsund.
Tel.: 03831- 255500
Fax: 03831 - 255513
http://www.stralsunder.de/gastron.html

Founded:
Annual production:

Brewpub. Owned by the Stralsunder Brauerei. Visitors have expressed doubt as to whether brewing really takes place in the Alten Fritz pubs.


Braugasthaus " Zum Alten Fritz "
im Hotel meerSinn
Schillerstraße 8,
18609 Binz.
Tel: 03 83 93 / 663 -333
Fax: 03 83 93 / 663 -344
info@alter-fritz.de
http://www.meersinn.de/

Founded:
Annual production:

Brewpub. Owned by the Stralsunder Brauerei. Visitors have expressed doubt as to whether brewing really takes place in the Alten Fritz pubs.


Brauhaus am alten Schlachthof
Rostocker Straße 33,
17033 Neubrandenburg.
Tel: 0395 - 563 0789
http://www.schlemmer-card-paket.de/html/brauhaus_am_alten_schlacht.html

Founded: 2002
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Alten Schlachthof Hell     Unfiltered pale lager - Helles.  
Alten Schlachthof Dunkel     Unfiltered dark lager.  
Alten Schlachthof Weizen     Unfiltered pale wheat beer.  

Brewpub.

Opening times:
Mon - Sun 17:00 -


Brauscheune Rumpelstilz
Dorfstr. 19,
18442 Krummenhagen.
Tel: 03827 - 61334
Fax: 03827 - 61346
http://www.rumpelstilz-brauscheune.de/

Founded: 2002
Annual production:

Brewpub.


Burgwall Bräu
Lindenalle 54,
17291 Warnitz.

Founded: 1998
Annual production:

Brewpub.


Darguner GmbH
Brauereistr. 3,
17159 Dargun.
Tel.: 039959 - 3010
Fax: 039959 - 30161
Email: Info@dargun.de
Homepage: http://www.brauerei-dargun.de/

Founded:
Annual production: 450,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Darguner Schwarzbier 4.8%   Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Darguner Pilsener 5%   Pils.  
Darguner Klosterbräu Dunkel 5.2%   Dark lager.  
Darguner Klosterbräu Premium 5.2%   Pale lager.  
Darguner Klosterbräu Weihnachtsbier 5.2%   Seasonal - Christmas.  

Owned by the Danish brewery Harboe.


Kellerbräu (in Hotel Seestern)
Seestr. 14,
17419 Seebad Ahlbeck.
Tel.: 038378 - 670
Fax: 038378 - 67 100
E-Mail: Hotel-Seestern-Ahlbeck@t-online.de
Homepage: http://www.seestern-ahlbeck.kaiserbaeder.de/

Founded: 1997
Annual production:

Brewpub in a seafront hotel on the island of Usedom.


Gasthaus "Kliesow' s Reuse" Erste Rügener Gasthausbrauerei
Alt Reddevitz 23a,
18586 Middelhagen.
Tel.: 038308 - 2171
Fax.: 038308 - 25527
E-Mail: Gasthof-Kliesows-Reuse@ruegenferien.de
http://gasthof-kliesows-reuse.de

Founded: 1998
Annual production: ca. 300 hl

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Reusenbräu Dunkel     Dark lager. Unfiltered.  

Brewpub on the island of Rügen.


Landgasthof Zur Linde
Dorfstraße 20,
18586 Middelhagen.
Tel: 038 308 - 5540
Fax: 038 303 - 55490
E-Mail: ferien@zur-linde-ruegen.de
http://www.zur-linde-ruegen.de/

Founded: 2000
Annual production:

Brewpub on the island of Rügen.


Brauhaus am Lohberg GmbH
Kleine Hohe Straße 15,
23966 Wismar.
Tel.: 03841 - 250238
Fax: 03841 - 250238
eMail: info@brauhaus-wismar.de
Homepage: http://www.brauhaus-wismar.de

Founded: 1996
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Wismarer Pilsener 4.8% 11.8° Pils.  
Roter Eric 4.8% 11.8° Amber lager.  
Wismarer Mumme 4.8% 11.8° Dark lager.  
Herbstfestbier 5.8% 13.8 ° Seasonal - Autumn.  
Weihnachtsbier 5.8% 13.8 ° Seasonal - Christmas.  
Maibock 6.9% 16.5 ° Pale bock. Seasonal - Spring.  

Brewpub.


Mecklenburgische Brauerei Lübz GmbH
Parchimerstr. 31,
19386 Lübz.
Tel.: 038731 - 360
Fax: 038731 - 36293
http://www.luebzer.de/

Founded: 1877
Annual production: 740,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Lübzer Pils 4.9%   Pils.
Hop, pepper, spicy and citrus aroma; bitterish taste with pepper and butter aromas; bitterish finish with grass and butter aromas.
Not a bad hop aroma, but too thin the mouth. At least it has no off flavours.
41
Lübzer Export 5.4%   Pale lager - Export.  
Lübzer Bock 7%   Dark Bock.  

Since 1991 owned by Holsten-Brauerei AG.


Ostsee- Brauhaus AG
Strandstr. 41,
18225 Kühlungsborn.
Tel.: 038293 - 4060
Fax.: 038293 - 40630
http://www.ostsee-brauhaus.de/

Founded: 1999
Annual production: 1,300 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Kühlungsbräu Helles 4.9% 11.7º Pale lager - Helles.  
Trotzenburger Weizenbier 5.1% 12.3º Unfiltered pale wheat beer.  
Kühlungsbräu Osterbier 4.9% 11.7º Pils. Seasonal - Easter.  
Kühlungsbräu Maibock 6.8% 16.3º Pale Bock. Seasonal - Spring.  
Kühlungsbräu Festbier 5.1% 12.3º Dark lager. Seasonal - October.  
Kühlungsbräu Weihnachts- & Winterbier 5.1% 12.3º Dark lager - Schwarzbier. Seasonal - Winter.  

Brewpub.


Rostocker Brauerei GmbH
Doberanerstr. 27,
18057 Rostock.
Tel.: 0381 - 456450
Fax: 0381 - 4564611
Email: info@rostocker.de
http://www.rostocker-brauerei.de/

Founded: 1878
Annual production: 389,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Rostocker Pils 4.9% 11.2° Pils.
Very pale yellow colour with an uneven, large-bubbled head; metal, tobacco and grass aroma; bitter taste with grass, resin and pepper aromas; bitter finish with tobacco, resin and pepper aromas.
Pleasantly hoppy and bitter. Not bad for an industrial Pils.
Tasted 20/06/2006.
48
Rostocker Dunkel 4.9% 11.6º Dark lager. Draught only.  
Rostocker Export 5.5% 12.3° Pale lager - Export.  
Rostocker Helles Bockbier 6.9% 16.2° Pale bock.
Gold colour with a dense head: grass, caramel and pepper aromas; sweetish taste with honey, cream and date aromas; bitter finsih with spice, toffee and fruit aromas.
OK, but nothing special. Malty, fruity and a bit spicy.
55
Rostocker Dunkles Bockbier 6.9% 16.2° Dark bock.
Pale brown colour with a dense white head; caramel and cream aromas; sweet taste with caramel, toffee and pepper aromas; bitter finish with milk, pepper and chicory.
A reasonable commercial interpretation of the style; like chewing treacle toffee.
Tasted 13/03/2007.
55
Rostocker Freibeuter 9% 19.7° Doppelbock  

The brewery was owned for a time by Beck's of Bremen. After Beck's were taken over by Inbev of Belgium, the Rostock plant was sold on to Brau & Brunnen in late 2002.


Zweite Schweriner Schloßbrauerei GmbH
Schwerinerstr. 61,
19061 Schwerin.
Tel.: 0385 - 68680
Fax: 0385 - 6868149

Founded:
Annual production: 418,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Schweriner Pilsener 4.9%   Pils.  
Mecklenburger Landbier 5.1%   Pale lager.  
Schweriner Export 5.5%   Pale lager - Export.  
Petermännchen 5.6%   Pale lager.  
Schweriner Bock 7.1%   Amber Bock.  

Owned by Oettinger.


Zum Stadtkrug - Altstadtbrauhaus
Wismarsche Straße 126,
19053 Schwerin.
Tel.: 0385 / 5936693
Fax: 0385 / 5936694
Email: info@altstadtbrauhaus.de
www.altstadtbrauhaus.de

Founded: 2001
Annual production: 500 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Altstadtbräu Hell     Pale lager.  
Altstadtbräu Dunkel     Dark lager.  

Brewpub.

Opening times:
Mon-Sun 11:30 -

Here's a report from Steve Peck:
Description: City centre brick building, next to the main cinema. Built as a brewpub in 1936. Large U-shaped bar with wooden floors, numerous levels, raised seating areas with partitions. In the centre, a large servery with carved wooden counter, rough-plastered vaulting above and copper brewing vessels. At the rear, a small patio. Food is a combination of modern and traditional German; the menu is in German, English and Swedish. Kegs of beer from 5-20 litres can be served at the table for parties. The home-brewed beer can be served with fruit or cherry juice. Also sells a wide range of schnapps.



Stralsunder Brauerei GmbH
Greifswalder Chausee 84 - 85,
18439 Stralsund.
Tel.: 03831 - 2550
Fax: 03831 - 255513
Email info@stralsunder.de
Homepage: http://www.stralsunder.de/

Founded:
Annual production: 45,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Stralsunder Lager 4.7% 11.5º Pale lager - Helles.  
Stralsunder Pils 4.9% 11.9º Pils.  
Stralsunder Traditionsbock 6.5% 17º Dark Bock.  
Stralsunder Frühlingsbock 6.5% 17º Pale bock. Seasonal - Mach to June.  
Störtebeker Pilsener 4.9% 11.6º Pils.  
Störtebeker Schwarzbier 5% 12.6º Dark lager - Schwarzbier.
Dark brown colour with a dense pale tan head; roast, smoke and nut aromas; sweetish taste with burnt, caramel and toffee aromas; bitter finish with roast, burnt and liquorice aromas.
Slightly pale for a Schwarzbier, but packed with roast flavours. A bit like sucking on a used match. but in a nice wa.
Tasted 20/06/2006.
56
Störtebeker Bernstein Weizen 5.3% 12.9º Amber wheat beer.  

Independent brewery. Bought by the Nordmann family in the 1990's.


Ostsee Brauhaus AG "Trotzenburg"
Strandstr. 41,
18225 Kühlungsborn.
Tel.: 038293 - 4060
Fax.: 038293 - 40630
http://brauhaus-trotzenburg.de/

Founded: 1999
Annual production: 1,300 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Kühlungsbräu Trotzenburger Spezial 4.9% 11.7º Pale lager - Helles.  
Trotzenburger Weizenbier 5.1% 12.3º Unfiltered pale wheat beer.  
Kühlungsbräu Osterbier 4.9% 11.7º Pils. Seasonal - Easter.  
Kühlungsbräu Maibock 6.8% 16.3º Pale Bock. Seasonal - Spring.  
Kühlungsbräu Festbier 5.1% 12.3º Dark lager. Seasonal - October.  
Kühlungsbräu Weihnachts- & Winterbier 5.1% 12.3º Dark lager - Schwarzbier. Seasonal - Winter.  

Brewpub.


Usedomer Brauhaus
Platz des Friedens,
17424 Seebad Heringsdorf.
Tel.: 038378 / 61 420
E-Mail: info@usedomer-brauhaus.de
http://www.usedomer-brauhaus.de

Founded: 2004
Annual production:

Brewpub on the island of Usedom.


Vielanker Brauhaus
Lindenplatz 1,
19303 Vielank.
Tel: 038759 - 33588
Fax: 038759 - 335890
Email: info@vielanker-brauhaus.de
http://www.vielanker-brauhaus.de/

Founded: 2001
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Vielanker Pils     Pils.  
Vielanker Dunkel     Dark lager.  

Brewpub. The beers are available in oak barrels of 5 to 30 litres.



Breweries in the former DDR
Thüringen


Altenburger Brauerei GmbH
Brauereistr. 20,
04600 Altenburg.
Tel.: 03447 - 312914
Fax: 03447 - 312919
http://www.brauerei-altenburg.de/

Founded: 1871
Annual production: 165,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Altenburger Lager 4.8% 11.9° Pale lager - Helles.  
Altenburger Premium 4.9% 11.5° Pils.
Grass and cream aroma, bitterish taste with smoke hop and grass aromas, smoky bitter finish. A reasonable beer of the style, though with slightly odd hop flavours.
 
Altenburger Schwarze 4.9% 11.5° Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Altenburger Privileg 5.2% 12.5° Pale lager.
Lemon and nut aroma, bitterish/sweetish taste with hop citrus and vanilla aromas, very bitter spicy, herbal finish. Beautiful flavour of aroma hops. Rather good.
 
Festbier 5.5% 13.5º Amber lager - Märzen.  

Owned by the Leikeim brewery in the north Bavarian town of Altenkunstadt.


Ankerbräu Greiner - Wohlleben
Dr. - Max - Volk - Str. 7,
96523 Steinach.
Tel.: 036762 - 31251
Fax: 036762 - 31252

Founded: 1736
Annual production: 2,500 hl

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Pils     Pils.  
Dunkel     Dark lager.  
Bock     Bock.  

Independent brewery.


Vereinsbrauerei Apolda GmbH
Topfmarkt 14,
99510 Apolda.
Tel.: 03644 - 84840
Fax: 03644 - 848488
http://www.vereinsbrauerei-apolda.de/

Founded: 1887
Annual production: 115,000 hl (2004)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Apoldaer Glocken Hell 4.5%   Pale lager - Helles.
Smoke, cardboard, celery and dust aroma; bitterish taste with smoke aroma; bitterish finish with smoke, celery and hop aromas.
Terrible hop aromas. It screams cheap raw materials.
23
Apoldaer Glocken Pils 4.8%   Pils.
Pepper, vegetable, smoke and citrus aroma; bitter taste with smoke and citrus aromas; bitterish finish with grass aroma.
Horrible hop-extract aroma, thin in the mouth, almost no finish at all. Crap.
19
Apoldaer Premium Pils 4.8%   Pils.  
Apoldaer Gambrinus Pilsner 4.9%   Pils.  
Apoldaer Diät Bier 4.9%   Pale lager.  
Apoldaer Spezial Pils 5%   Pils.
Hop, grass, cabbage and cardboard aroma; bitter taste with smoke aroma; bitter smoky finish.
Positively unpleasant hop-extract taste. Just about undrinkable.
19
Apoldaer Urtyp 5%   Amber lager.  
Apoldaer Export 5.1%   Pale lager - Export.  
Apoldaer Festbock 6.5%   Amber bock.
Cardboard aroma; neutral taste with smoke and cardboard aromas; bitterish finish with smoke and dust aromas.
Crap. Horrible stale hop taste and otherwise bland.
22

Independent brewery.


Stadtbrauerei Arnstadt
Brauhausstr. 3,
99310 Arnstadt.
Tel.: 03628 - 607400
Fax: 03628 - 607777
http://www.arnstadt-stadtbrauerei.de

Founded: 1823 Closed 1992, reopened as a brewpub in 1997.
Annual production 1,200 hl

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Arnstädter UrStoff 5.1% 12.5° Pale lager.  
Arnstädter UrTyp 5.1% 12.5° Dark lager.  
Arnstädter UrWeizen 5.1% 12.5° Wheat beer. Unfiltered.  
Arnstädter UrBock 7.1% 16.5° Bock.  

Brewpub.


Braugold Brauerei Riebeck GmbH & Co. KG
Schillerstr. 7,
99096 Erfurt.
Tel.: 0361 - 39900
Fax: 0361 - 3990212
http://www.braugold.de/

Founded: 1865
Annual production: 250,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Braugold Hell 4.8% 11.5° Pale lager - Helles.  
Braugold Pilsner Spezial 4.9% 11.7° Pils.
Pepper, spice and basil aroma; bitter taste with pepper, malt and hop aromas; very bitter finish with pepper and spice.
A beautiful spicy pils that has always been a favourite of mine. It shows what a difference good quality hops make.
74
Riebeck Premium Pilsener 5.1%   Pils.  
Erfurter Angerbräu Premium Pils 5.2% 12.5° Pils.  
Braugold Bock 6.5% 16.7° Pale bock. Seasonal - October-March.  

Owned by Riebeck Brauerei AG, Leipzig. It's pils was one of the best in the DDR period and has maintained its high quality up to the present.


Bürgerliches Brauhaus Saalfeld GmbH
Pößneckerstr. 55,
07318 Saalfeld.
Tel.: 03671 - 67360
Fax: 03671 - 673640
Homepage: http://www.brauhaus-saalfeld.de/

Founded: 1892
Annual production: 25,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Saalfelder Grotten-Pils 4.8% 11.4º Pils.  
Saalfelder Dunkel 4.8% 11.5º Dark lager.  
Saalfelder Pilsner 4.8% 11.6º Pils.  
Saalfelder Premium Pilsner 4.8% 11.7º Pils.
Hop and vegetable aroma; bitter taste with cabbage and grass aromas; bitter finish with hop, resin and grass aromas.
Has a horrible cabbage aroma but improves in the mouth. Still not great, though.
30
Saalfelder Gaudi-Weizen 5.4% 12.5º Pale unfiltered wheat beer.  
Saalfelder Jubiläums-Bier 5.6% 13.5º Pale lager - Export.  
Ur-Saalfelder 1100 Jahre Saalfeld 5.6% 13.5º Amber lager - Märzen.
Grass, malt and vegetable aroma; sweetish taste with malt and caramel aromas; bitterish finish with caramel , hop, cardboard and dust aromas.
A blandish stronger beer. A bit of a dodgy aroma and some stale hop flavours.
39
Saalfelder Bockbier 6.5% 16.5º Pale Bock.  

Independent brewery. Nationalised 1948, privatised 1991.


Eisenacher Brauerei GmbH
Wartburgallee 25 a,
99817 Eisenach.
Tel.: 03691 - 23800
Fax: 03691 - 784825
Email: zentrale@eisenacherbrauerei.de
http://www.eisenacherbrauerei.de/

Founded: 1828
Annual production: 40,000 hl

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Wartburg Pils 4.9% 11.3° Pils.
Hop, spice and grass aromas; bitter taste with pepper, spice and butter aromas; bitter finish with butter and grass aromas. A reasonable, spicy pils that continues to improve.
54
Rennsteig Spezial 4.9% 12.5° Pale lager.
Grass, cardboard, celery and dust aroma; bitter taste with dust and cardboard aromas; bitter finish with grass and hop aromas.
Another hop-extract victim. Has a horrible stale hop aroma.
27
Schwarzer Drachen 5 % 12.0° Dark lager - Schwarzbier.
Caramel, cream and malt aroma; bitterish taste with cream and liquorice aromas; bitter finish with coffee and chicory aromas.
A reasonable beer that is just about dry enough to be in the schwarzbier style. Looking at my old tasting notes, it seems to have been much sweeter when first introduced. It has definitely been a change for the better. On my last tasting my description was "Like mild darkened with too much caramel".
55
Wartburg Export 5.2% 12.5° Pale lager - Export.
Hop, citrus, malt and grain aroma; bitter taste with malt, grass and fruit aromas; bitter finish with grass aroma.
A reasonable beer with a balance of malt and hop flavours.
48
Wartburg Märzen 5.5% 13.5° Amber lager - Märzen.  
Eisenacher Bock 6.5% 16.5° Amber Bock.
Fruit, malt and cardboard aroma; sweetish/bitterish taste with margarine and dust aromas; bitter finish with dust and hop aromas.
A bittersweet bock spoilt by a hop extract taste.
40
Winterpils Classic 4.9% 11.3° Pils. Seasonal - Winter.  

Independent brewery.

Since a renovation of the brewhouse, full brewing does seem to be taking place here again. For a time in the 1990's the wort was shipped in from elsewhere. The beer, which it was never wise to leave lying around very long in the DDR days, has definitely improved in quality.


Erfurter Brauhaus
Anger 21,
99084 Erfurt.
Tel.: 0361 - 5625827
Fax.: 0361 - 5669834

Founded: 1997
Annual output: 2,500 hl

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Pils     Pils.  
Schwarzes     Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Weizen     Wheat beer.  

Brewpub.

Opening times:
Mon - Sat 11:00-01:00,
Sun 11:00-22:00


Gasthausbrauerei "Felsenkeller"
Humboldstr. 37,
99425 Weimar.
Tel.: 03643 - 850366 / 67
Fax: 03643 - 850368
http://www.thueringen-direkt.de/Gasthausbrauerei_Felsenkeller/

Founded: 1990
Annual production: 1,500 hl

Brewpub.

Open daily 11:00 - 24:00.


Gasthaus & Pension "Zum goldenen Lamm"
Kleine Gasse 1,
99100 Gierstädt.
Tel : 036206 - 23248
Fax: 036206 - 18590

Founded: 2004
Annual production:

Brewpub.


Zum Goldenen Schwann
Michaelisstraße 9,
99084 Erfurt.
Tel: 0361 - 262 3742
Fax: 0361 - 262 3744
Email: post@zum-goldenen-schwan.de
http://www.zum-goldenen-schwan.de/

Founded: 2003
Annual production:

Brewpub.


Brauhaus bei der Göltzsch
Feldschlößchenstr. 4,
07973 Greiz.
Tel.: 03661 - 689958
Fax.: 03661 - 689960
Email: webmaster@brauhaus-bei-der goeltzsch.de
http://www.brauhaus-bei-der-goeltzsch.de/

Founded:
Annual production: 8,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Göltzschtal Premium Pils     Pils.  
Göltzschtal Premium Dunkel 5.2%   Dark lager.  

Independent brewery.


Brauerei Gotha GmbH
Leinastr. 50,
99867 Gotha.
Tel.: 03621 - 4670
Fax: 03621 - 467212
Email: brauereigotha@gotha.oettinger-bier.de
Homepage: http://www.oettinger-bier.de

Annual production: 1,285,000 hl (2001)

Beer alc Description score (100)
Das schwarze Vamp Bier 5.2%    
Oettinger Pils 4.7% Pils.  
Oettinger Alt 4.9% Alt.  
Oettinger Original Hefe-Weizen 4.9% Pale unfiltered wheat beer.  
Oettinger Dunkle Hefe-Weizen 4.9% Dark unfiltered wheat beer.
Banana, cloves, basil and aniseed aroma; nutral taste with banana, cloves and lemon aromas; spicy finish with banana and cloves aromas.
Not a bad try at the style. The best Gotha beer I've had by a long way.
61
Oettinger Kristall-Weizen 4.9% Pale filtered wheat beer.  
Oettinger Schwarzbier 4.9% Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Oettinger Export 5.4% Pale lager - Export.  
Oettinger Urtyp 5.6% Amber lager - Märzen.
Biscuit, grass and fruit aroma; sweetish taste with cream, fruit and honey aromas; bitterish finish with biscuit and butter aromas.
A bit bland, but not unpleasant. The style is a bit vague - it's a rather weak for a Märzen and too dark for a Spezial.
48
Oettinger Winterbier 5.6% Pale lager. Seasonal - Winter.  
St.-Gothardus Spezial 5.6% Pale lager - Spezial.
Cardboard and dust aroma; bitterish taste with dust aroma; bitterish dusty finish.
In a tasting set with some pretty bad beers, this shone out in its sheer awfulness. Total rubbish.
17
St.-Gothardus Bock 6.5% Amber bock.
Caramel, pear, peardrops and raisin aromas; very sweet taste with caramel, fruit and pepper aromas; bitterish finish with apple aroma.
Much better than I expected. Pleasantly fruity, but too sweet without any balancing bitterness to be really good.
44
St.-Gothardus Maibock 6.5% Pale bock. Seasonal - Spring.  

Part of the Oettinger group. Their beer was always dodgy in the DDR days. Nothing much seems to have altered since the change in ownership.

There are two product ranges: the corporate Oettinger brands and the more obviously Thuringian St. Gothardus beers. Both sets are of a uniformly dreadful quality.


Vereinsbrauerei Greiz
Lindenstr. 60,
07973 Greiz.
Tel.: 03661 - 6100
Fax: 03661 - 610226
http://www.greizer.de/

Founded: 1872
Annual production: 125,000 hl

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Greizer Diät Pils     Low-carbohydrate pils.  
Greizer Schloß Pils 5%   Pils.  
Greizer Urbräu     Pale lager.  
Greizer Bock 6.7%   Pale Bock.  

Independent brewery.

Bought by Tucher Bräu AG Nürnberg in 1991. When the parent company itself was taken over by Gebrüder März AG in 1994, the Greiz brewery passed into the hands of Erste Kulmbacher Aktienbrauerei AG. In 1997 there was a management buyout and the brewery became independent once more.

It has a brewery tap:

Greizer Brauerei Gasthof,
Grüne Linde,
07973 Greiz.
Tel: 03661 - 431790
http://www.greizer.de/gasthof.html
Open daily 11:00 - 22:00
It sells an unfiltered Greizer Kellerbier.



Hausbrauerei Hopfengrund
Hopfengrund 1,
Arnstadt.

Founded: 2004
Annual production:

Brewpub.


Brauhaus König-Sahl
Erste Gasthausbrauerei Gotha,
Brühl 5- 7.
99867 Gotha
Tel.: 03621 - 852506
Fax.: 03621 - 852506
Email: info@brauhaus-gotha.de
http://www.brauhaus-gotha.de

Founded: 1997
Annual production:

Beer alc Plato Description score (100)
Pilsner     Pils.  
Schwarzbier     Dark lager - Schwarzbier.  
Weizen     Unfiltered wheat beer.  
Märzen