A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY

ROYAL BAVARIA, THE SOURCE OF BEER CULTURE


The Rulers, Regents and Kings of the Wittelsbach dynasty clearly shaped the fate of Bavaria and also had a decisive influence on large parts of Europe. Besides great achievements in politics and art, the entire beer culture can be traced back to them. Their legacy has set standards in quality that are still considered as the benchmark for genuine beer and they left behind landmarks of pleasure that went down in the cultural history of beer.

A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY

ROYAL BAVARIA, THE SOURCE OF BEER CULTURE


The Rulers, Regents and Kings of the Wittelsbach dynasty clearly shaped the fate of Bavaria and also had a decisive influence on large parts of Europe. Besides great achievements in politics and art, the entire beer culture can be traced back to them. Their legacy has set standards in quality that are still considered as the benchmark for genuine beer and they left behind landmarks of pleasure that went down in the cultural history of beer.

1260

FIRST FAMILY BREWERY IN MUNICH

FOUNDED BY DUKE LUDWIG THE SEVERE


Duke Ludwig II "the Severe" ruled Upper Bavaria from 1253. He made Munich his residence and founded the first family brewery of the Wittelsbach dynasty in 1260. Incidentally, he owes his nickname "the Severe" to a tragic error. He falsely suspected his first wife of adultery and had her executed. When he realized his mistake, for penance he ordered the construction of the Fürstenfeld monastery in Fürstenfeldbruck, where the König Ludwig Castle Brewery Kaltenberg still has its headquarters.

1260

FIRST FAMILY BREWERY IN MUNICH

FOUNDED BY DUKE LUDWIG THE SEVERE


Duke Ludwig II "the Severe" ruled Upper Bavaria from 1253. He made Munich his residence and founded the first family brewery of the Wittelsbach dynasty in 1260. Incidentally, he owes his nickname "the Severe" to a tragic error. He falsely suspected his first wife of adultery and had her executed. When he realized his mistake, for penance he ordered the construction of the Fürstenfeld monastery in Fürstenfeldbruck, where the König Ludwig Castle Brewery Kaltenberg still has its headquarters.

1516

THE BAVARIAN PURITY LAW

ENACTED BY DUKE WILHELM IV


When Wilhelm IV and his brother Ludwig X took over the affairs of state in Bavaria, beer was a staple food. Among other factors, because boiling during the brewing process killed dangerous microbes, beer was a much healthier drink than water. For flavouring, various harmless herbs were added to beer but also other strange ingredients, some of which could be harmful, or even deadly. The authorities at the time were more interested in regulating the price of beer than the ingredients! To the benefit of all beer drinkers, this changed when Duke Wilhelm and Duke Ludwig enacted the Bavarian Purity Law as a part of state regulations.

1577 - 1777

MONOPOLY OF BREWING WHEAT BEER

SECURED BY MAXIMILIAN I, DUKE ELECTOR OF BAVARIA


Although Maximilian I Duke Elector initially ruled together with his father, he acted as an energetic Regent and led Bavaria out of its enormous debt burden. With visionary foresight he recognized the economic opportunities offered by the brewing of wheat beer. Although this was still prohibited in most parts of Bavaria, Maximilian successful acquired the only wheat beer brewery. In this way he elegantly secured the monopoly on wheat beer brewing for the Wittelsbach family. Through central purchasing and setting quality specifications for his eventual 40 wheat beer breweries, he also laid the foundation for a quality-assured licensing system in the brewing industry.

1812

BEER GARDEN CULTURE

BROUGHT TO LIFE BY MAX I JOSEF, KING OF BAVARIA


Max I Joseph was the first of the great Bavarian kings. At that time, when Napoleon, in gratitude for the alliance against Austria, upgraded Bavaria to a kingdom and proclaimed Maximilian I. Joseph King, beer gardens existed only unofficially. They were just wild places above cellars, which the brewers had built for cool storage of their beer. There they sold their beer under shady chestnut trees. With the official recognition of these wild beer gardens, King Max endeared himself to the hearts of the people for all time.

1812

BEER GARDEN CULTURE

BROUGHT TO LIFE BY MAX I JOSEF, KING OF BAVARIA


Max I Joseph was the first of the great Bavarian kings. At that time, when Napoleon, in gratitude for the alliance against Austria, upgraded Bavaria to a kingdom and proclaimed Maximilian I. Joseph King, beer gardens existed only unofficially. They were just wild places above cellars, which the brewers had built for cool storage of their beer. There they sold their beer under shady chestnut trees. With the official recognition of these wild beer gardens, King Max endeared himself to the hearts of the people for all time.

1810

THE UNIQUE OKTOBERFEST

ESTABLISHED BY LUDWIG I, KING OF BAVARIA


In addition to redesigning Munich's cityscape, Ludwig left the people a festive legacy with the Munich Oktoberfest. On the occasion of his marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, a great celebration took place in the open countryside on the outskirts of Munich's city centre. A celebration for all, at which a good 350 hectolitres of beer were distributed. Today, the Munich Oktoberfest has become the largest folk festival in the world, attracting several million visitors of all nations.

OktoberfestPaulaner

1868

BREWING SCIENCE FACULTY

FOUNDED BY LUDWIG II, KING OF BAVARIA


While his fine artistic sense is well known, it is often overlooked that Ludwig II created far more than the famous Bavarian fairy-tale castles. His great interest in technical innovation led to the foundation of the Brewing Science Faculty in Weihenstephan and the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic School in Munich, where brewing and food technology were taught. Here also theories of refrigeration technology were presented, which finally made it possible to brew stable beer regardless of the season and weather.

1868

BREWING SCIENCE FACULTY IN WEIHENSTEPHAN

FOUNDED BY LUDWIG II, KING OF BAVARIA


While his fine artistic sense is well known, it is often overlooked that Ludwig II created far more than the famous Bavarian fairy-tale castles. His great interest in technical innovation led to the foundation of the Brewing Science Faculty in Weihenstephan and the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic School in Munich, where brewing and food technology were taught. Here also theories of refrigeration technology were presented, which finally made it possible to brew stable beer regardless of the season and weather.

Kaltenberg

SINCE 1975

WORLDWIDE UMBRELLA BRAND

ESTABLISHED BY PRINZ LUITPOLD VON BAYERN


At the age of 25, Prince Luitpold of Bavaria took over the management of the family brewery at Kaltenberg Castle. Going against the trend, he initially decided to produce a dark beer and König Ludwig Dunkel quickly became a cult beer. Prince Luitpold successfully developed the royal brands by creating various beer styles that appeal to modern beer drinkers but remain true to the family tradition and recipes. Besides being a worldwide ambassador for his beer, he also continues the heritage culturally: the Kaltenberg Ritterturnier, the Jousting Tournament which he founded, is now the largest of its kind in the world.

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