During the last two weeks, work brought me up to Erlangen for a couple days. So I finally was able to visit the Kitzmann BräuSchänke (brew pub) after passing it dozens of times.
It is just after six and the beer garden at the Südliche Stadtmauerstraße (southern city wall street) is relatively quiet. I sit myself down at one of the big, dark brown wooden tables and have a look at the menu. It is called BräuSchänke-Journal (brew pub journal) and besides the offering of food and drink it also contains some interesting information about the place itself and Kitzmann’s beer.
I’m thirsty and have a closer look at the beers. There is a good variety from the tap: Edelpils (pilsner), Helles (lager), Kellerbier 1904 (cellar beer), Weißbier (wheat beer) and Dunkles Erlanger (dark beer). My choice is quickly made. I try the Kellerbier. It is my favorite beer at the moment and one that you definitely have to try when you’re in Franconia, the northern part of Bavaria. Just a few moments later a cold beer mug stands in front of me. Sláinte!
The beer is tasty and sweet. It is the perfect drink for a warm summer evening. I flip through the journal and delve into the history of Kitzmann.
The BräuSchänke already exists since 2008. It lies directly next to the brewery that dates back to 1712. In the 1920s Erlangen’s restaurant association was complaining about the selling of drinks of the Kitzmann brewery. The brewery was mainly criticised for not having a concession for a pub. As a result, the owners decided to change that and to run a pub. In 1934 the „Bräustüberl“ (little pub) – also called „Bräuschänke“ – was opened. The former street bar turned into a decent pub and the legendary anarchical times were over.
The beer garden is getting busier now. There is more and more chat. I can hear Franconian, German, English, Portuguese and Chinese. My Braumeisterschnitzel (master brewer’s schnitzel) arrives. Very tasty!
I continue reading the journal and learn that Kitzmann receives its water from its own well that is 65 to 90 meters deep. The enclosed water is 10,000 years old. Considering that the beer tastes rather fresh!
I read more about beer in general and the different Kitzmann varieties. That makes you want more. But I stick to the Kellerbier as mixing different beers always gives me a headache. Kitzmann’s product range is quite extensive. Besides the beers that are available throughout the year there are also seasonal versions and trend beers like the Kitzz and the Lupfer. The beer I’m drinking was renamed to „Kellerbier 1904“ in 2007. The Kellerbier is an unfiltered beer that is sometimes also called Zwickl.
At the table next to me two beer enthusiasts are having a chat. They laugh about the current craft beer movement that seems so new and trendy. Craft beer? That’s what we’re drinking since hundreds of years. And they’re right.
Kitzmann won countless prizes for their beer varieties. I also learn that the „Erlanger“ is a protected name. The principle since the 1980s is: „Unser Erlanger Bier“ („our Erlanger beer“). You can also see that on the sunshades: „Unser Erlanger Bier seit 1712“ („our Erlanger beer since 1712“).
It is an entertaining evening. Thank you to all Kitzmanns for the great beer! And thank you to the BräuSchänke team for the tasty food and the great service. I’ll definitely be back!
I can absolutely confirm the following sentence from the journal:
There hardly is a better place to experience the beer history of Erlangen with all your senses than the Kitzmann-BräuSchänke.
If you want to find out more about Kitzmann and the tasty beer straight away start your journey here: www.kitzmann.de.