The Berchtesgadener Land has always been a magnet for tourists from around the world. Surrounded by stunning mountains, deep lakes, and picturesque villages, visitors here experience Bavarian life at its purest. But the Berchtesgadener Land is known for more than just its natural beauty. For over a hundred years, beer from Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden has been as much a part of the region as the Watzmann mountain or Lake Königssee. And this beer appeals to both tourists and locals alike. We spoke with Max Stangassinger, a member of the founding family and responsible for sales, about the relationship between beer and tourism, and the role the Envases Minikeg plays in this connection.
Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden in front of an impressive mountain backdrop
Tourism: The Lifeblood of the Brewery
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Max Stangassinger from Hofbräuhaus Berchtesgaden
The Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden is deeply intertwined with the region’s tourism. In the area’s many restaurants, inns, and hotels, the brewery’s Bavarian beer is served, often alongside regional specialties. The beer is especially popular at alpine huts, a must-stop for many hikers. After a strenuous mountain trek, there’s hardly anything more refreshing than a freshly tapped Helles in a rustic hut with a view of the majestic Alpine landscape.
“The connection between beer and tourism is particularly strong for us. Our beers are part of the experience people seek here. When they explore the region, they want to immerse themselves in Bavaria—and that includes enjoying a good beer,” explains Stangassinger. For this reason, the brewery also makes an effort to protect nature. Long before environmental awareness became trendy, the brewery generated its own electricity—with a hydropower plant that also powers an entire street. “Sustainability isn’t a modern trend for us; it’s deeply rooted in our history,” Stangassinger says. “After all, we rely on our beautiful surroundings.”
Craft Brewing: Quality That Delivers
Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden focuses on craftsmanship and high quality. In an era when many breweries prioritize mass production and international expansion, the Berchtesgaden brewery stays true to its roots. Master brewer Klaus Hesselbach personally oversees operations in the brewery cellar. The beer is still brewed according to traditional recipes and is given time to mature. The brew spends at least eight weeks aging in the cellar before it’s bottled. The flavor is classically Bavarian—just what tourists are looking for.
The Helles is the undisputed bestseller of the brewery. Its mild, fresh taste makes it the perfect companion to the hearty dishes of the region. Whether in town, at alpine huts, in taverns, or in the brewery’s own pub—the Helles from Berchtesgaden is omnipresent and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
The Hofbrauhaus Pils is also highly regarded. It’s not as bitter as Northern German Pilsners, which is why it appeals to the Bavarian palate and is popular with hikers and visitors alike. All of the brewery’s beers adhere to the Bavarian Purity Law. There’s no experimentation with added flavors or other additives. Tradition is a core value – especially when it comes to brewing.
Eisbock: The Brewery’s Masterpiece
In addition to the Helles, Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden offers another specialty that draws connoisseurs of strong beer: Eisbock. This beer stands out not only for its intense flavor but also for its complex brewing process.
Berchtesgaden’s Eisbock is made from the brewery’s traditional Christmas Bock beer, which is a lighter, less malty version of the typical dark Bock. The uniqueness of Eisbock lies in its production method. “The process is truly complex,” says Stangassinger. “The Bock beer is frozen up to ten times in the tank. As the water freezes to the tank walls, what’s left is the highly concentrated essence of the beer.”
This concentrated brewing process results in a beer with an impressive alcohol content of up to 14%. Out of ten liters of Bock beer, only one liter of Eisbock is produced—a one-of-a-kind specialty. Despite its high alcohol content, the brewery’s Eisbock is surprisingly easy to drink. “It’s not a beer you drink in large quantities, but one you savor,” Stangassinger emphasizes. “Its full-bodied taste should be enjoyed sip by sip.”
Beer and Tourism: A Success Story, Thanks to the Minikeg!
Since June 2024, Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden has been offering its Helles in the Envases Minikeg—a format that’s especially popular with tourists. The handy size of this party keg allows people to take a piece of Berchtesgaden’s brewing tradition home without dealing with deposits. “That was an important step for us,” Stangassinger explains. “Many tourists wanted to take our beer with them but had no way of using the deposit system. The Minikeg as a single-use container is the perfect solution.”
“Our party keg is available in many outlets, including gas stations, beverage markets, and souvenir shops. The Minikeg allows people to take a piece of Berchtesgaden’s cultural experience home.” Stangassinger even shares stories of excited tourists who turned the empty party kegs into garden lanterns. Clearly, this has created a dedicated fan base.
The kegs are filled by hand at the brewery, using the same machine that bottles the Eisbock swing-top bottles. The filling process runs smoothly and reliably. Envases sales representative Harry Eichholz supported the brewery throughout the entire launch process. “Mr. Eichholz was a great help,” Stangassinger praises. “The collaboration with Envases went smoothly, and we’re very pleased with the result.”
The popularity of the Minikeg is evident as the brewery has already had to reorder from Envases shortly after the initial launch. “The party keg has been incredibly well received,” the sales manager says happily. “It’s now a fixed part of our offering and is eagerly embraced by our customers. It’s possible that we’ll soon be offering another variety in the Minikeg—perhaps even a Bockbier party keg for Christmas?”
Conclusion: Beer and Tourism—a Perfect Combination!
The Gotzenalm in the Berchtesgaden National Park
Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden represents craftsmanship of the highest quality. Located in a region heavily influenced by tourism, it combines tradition with innovation. While tourists enjoy typical Bavarian beer in local restaurants and alpine huts, they increasingly turn to the convenient Minikeg to bring the Berchtesgaden beer experience home.
With the Helles as its bestseller and Eisbock as an extraordinary specialty, the brewery boasts two flagship products known well beyond the region. The partnership with Envases and the introduction of the Minikeg have expanded the brewery’s offerings, making its beer more accessible to both tourists and locals.
Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden remains a pillar of the Berchtesgadener Land, proving that tradition and craftsmanship are still a successful model—living up to the motto: “Brewing beer where others vacation.”
