A step towards Oktoberfest: Giesinger Bräu is making history with a new beer

Beer lovers can look forward to: after 75 years there is again a new Original Münchner Hell.

Giesinger Bräu brings the beer onto the market.

It is another step by the brewery towards Oktoberfest.

Munich - The picture on the canvas shows a good portion of self-confidence: Bottles from the big breweries Spaten, Paulaner, Löwenbräu, Hacker Pschorr, Augustiner and Hofbräu can be seen on it - and from Giesinger Bräu. The brewery, which started out in a garage 15 years ago, has now taken another big step towards the Wiesn - because now it produces an “Original Münchner Hell”: “We are now on par with the city's big breweries,” emphasized Founder and managing director Steffen Marx at the presentation.

In order to be allowed to bear the name “Original Münchner Hell”, the beer must be brewed from the own deep well of Munich water.

"The water takes 12,000 years to seep down," explained Bernhard Pillep, founder and partner of the brewery.

“It's extremely soft and perfect for brewing.” In addition, specifications for the original wort, alcohol content and bitter substances must be met for the protected title.

Giesinger Bräu: Worked on the recipe for two years

For the first time in 75 years, the time has come for a Munich * brewery to bring an “Original Münchner Hell” onto the market.

“We worked on the recipe for two years,” said Marx.

“It's a milestone for us.” The result is a beer with a high degree of freshness and a subtle hop aroma.

It should by no means replace the well-known Giesinger illuminating, emphasized Marx: "But we believe that there are many fans who like to drink filtered beer."

And that would also meet an important requirement for participating in the Oktoberfest.

Georg Rittmayer, President of the Privaten Brauereien Bayern eV, even spoke of the "birth of a new dynasty" when the beer was presented.

“I'm already looking forward to seeing the Giesinger Bräu at the Oktoberfest,” he said.

"Then I'll come by personally and hand the mallet to tap."

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Giesinger Bräu: crowdinvesting campaign starts in November

But it will take some time before that happens: “We're slowly coming in that direction, but we're in no hurry,” said Pillep.

At present, 25,000 to 30,000 hectoliters of beer are brewed annually at Giesinger Bräu.

For a large Oktoberfest tent alone, you need between 5000 and 7000 hectoliters of beer at the Oktoberfest.

"Our production options are limited," said Steffens.

"It is unrealistic that in a year or two we will be at the Oktoberfest with a big tent."

The Giesinger Bräu hopes to initially be able to brew 4,000 to 6,000 hectoliters of the Münchner Hell.

The brewery would like to further expand its production capacities over the next few years.

A large crowd investing campaign will start again in mid-November with the aim of raising two million euros.

Participation at the Oktoberfest is conceivable in a few years

Because in the long term, the brewery will be drawn to the Oktoberfest: “It may be more realistic in four to five years that you will find us at the Oktoberfest,” estimates Marx.

“We're going one step at a time.” And there are also many other events in Munich * and the surrounding area where you can sell the new “Original Münchner Hell”.

First of all, it is produced in smaller quantities.

From now on it will be used to supply beverage retailers in and around Munich.

At the same time, the capacities will be created to be able to supply food retailers in larger quantities at the beginning of 2022.

A crate of beer with 20 half bottles costs 22.99 euros.

Not exactly cheap, but: "The price is also an appreciation of the beer," explains Steffen Marx.