A good year for Austrian beer

"Austrian private breweries, 100% independent". This seal, which guarantees an independent Austrian beer scene, is becoming increasingly popular. It recognises beers from breweries that belong to the ‘Independent Breweries of Austria’ association. This initiative aims to strengthen local breweries and clearly distinguish them from the big beer multi-nationals. With the help of the seal, which is being placed on more and more bottles and cans, consumers can recognise with a glance at the shelf whether they are buying a product from an international corporation or a beer from an Austrian private brewery that has retained its independence.

 

1.     AFFENBERGER (Styria)

When someone produces fine malt vinegar, it is only a small step to ferment this raw material into beer. Pölzer Essigkultur in Eggersdorf near Graz hit the bull's eye straight away with the fruity, naturally cloudy Affenberger organic beer. Further information is available at: www.affenberger.at

 

2.     BIEROL (Tyrol)

On a former farm in the mountains behind Kufstein, a close-knit group produces particularly independent beers that are especially popular with younger beer connoisseurs. From now on, creations such as ‘Bomboclaat’ and ‘Padawan’ will also bear the seal of Independent Breweries of Austria. Further information is available at: www.bierol.at

 

3.     FORSTAUER (Styria)

In the wild, romantic landscape of Gesäuse, Birgit and Matthias Schmiedberger produce speciality beers in their small private brewery, many of which are drunk by fans in the region. Further information is available at: www.forstauer.at

 

4.     KIESBYE NATURBRAUEREI (Salzburg)

In the centre of the beer stronghold of Obertrum, visionary Axel Kiesbye brews so-called forest beers, which, in addition to hops and malt, also contain extracts of fir maize shoots and various tree ingredients. Further information is available at: www.kiesbye.at

 

5.     ZILLERTAL BIER (Tyrol)

The Zillertal brewery can look back on 16 generations of unbroken brewing tradition. The ultra-modern company building in Zell am Ziller shows that the undisputed number one in this part of Tyrol is also equipped for a successful future. Further information is available at: www.zillertal-bier.at

 

 

 

ORIGIN BEFORE SIZE 

 

Size does not play a role in participation in the ‘Independent Breweries of Austria – 100% independent’ initiative. Independence and authenticity, on the other hand, do. The criteria for membership are designed so that they can be fulfilled by small breweries, which are struggling in the market alongside large international corporations. The most important criteria are the independent brewery and its owners must be based in Austria and must not be under the influence of a foreign company. The brewery must have been commercially active as a private brewery in Austria for three years and the brewery must actually exist – not just a brand name.

 

The latest new additions make the spectrum of regional Austrian breweries even more colourful and diverse, says the association's chairman Ewald Pöschko, who is also the managing director of Braucommune in Freistadt, Upper Austria: "The five newcomers are a great addition to our movement. The domestic beer industry is thus sending out a highly vital sign of life. Despite the regional diversity, they all share a commitment to independence and autonomy."

 

The beers that are authorised to carry this seal account for around 34% of the Austrian beer market. Converted to bottles, this means that around 500 million bottles and cans will be labelled with the seal this year.