Brewers resuscitate beer production in Vaihingen

In the heart of Stuttgart, a new brewery has emerged, reviving the city's rich brewing tradition. Known as "Birkenwaldle", this innovative bio-brewery is the brainchild of three men: Pierre Schanzenbach, his brother Patrick, and Vincenzo Bortolussi.

Located next to the Old Kelter on Kelterberg, Birkenwaldle is set to supply selected restaurants and beer shops in the future. The brothers, who are still working full-time jobs, dedicate their evenings and weekends to this passion project.

The journey of Birkenwaldle's brewing equipment was not an easy one. Due to tariffs and the chaos during Donald Trump's presidency in the USA, the equipment's arrival was delayed. It spent three months on the water before reaching Hamburg, where additional delays occurred due to customs chaos. However, after a total delay of several weeks, the equipment was finally delivered and set up in Stuttgart.

The Schanzenbach brothers value raw materials, sourcing hops and malt from South Germany and water from Lake Constance. Their beer, a fresh, light beer, is sold in an original black bottle. The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, and it needs to age for four weeks before bottling, as they aim to brew once a month, filling both tanks.

Birkenwaldle is a certified bio-beer, making it the first bio-brewery in Stuttgart. It stands for reviving the craft, in the tradition of Robert Leicht. Vincenzo Bortolussi, who originally wanted to make schnapps, switched to beer to bring this unique brewery to life.

The beer is now available for purchase directly from the brothers and via their website. The Schanzenbach brothers aim to gradually increase production to meet demand. Meanwhile, the Historical Vaihingen Association has found space for its collection, adding another layer of history to this vibrant brewing community.

For those interested in the history of brewing in Stuttgart, Folkmar Schiek and Gerhard Widmaier have published a book about the history of the Widmaier brewing family. This book provides a fascinating insight into the city's brewing past, setting the stage for the exciting future of Birkenwaldle.