How about a beer brewed with 400 years of tradition? You are standing in front of Brauerei Hacklberg. This brewery is not just a place where beer is made. It is a living testament to Passau’s brewing history.
Brauerei Hacklberg’s story began in 1618. A baptismal record mentions a brewmaster in Hacklberg. This confirms that the brewery existed back then. The brewery was owned by the Prince-Bishop.
In 1675 Prince-Bishop Sebastian von Pötting moved his brewery to Hacklberg. He valued the spring water there. The brewery became part of Hacklberg Castle. The castle was significantly expanded around 1698. A large beer storage cellar was built in 1796. The “White Brewery” was expanded with the “Brown Brewery” in 1798.
After the secularization in Bavaria, the Bavarian administration was only interested in the brewery. The once important summer residence disappeared for the most part. In 1849 the brothers Jakob and Bartholomäus Hartl bought the royal brewery.
In 1897 the Passau Bishop was able to buy the brewery back. He paid 850000 gold marks. The original plan to use the castle as a summer residence was abandoned after one year.
The brewery was rebuilt in 1913 over the storage cellar built in 1796. It received its present form at that time. In 1945 the malthouse, the turbine house and parts of the office buildings fell victim to a bomb attack. These were in the area of the former castle. The part of the old brewery is still partially preserved as a ruin of the outer walls. It connected the Fürstenbau and office buildings. This area is currently used as a parking lot.
The malthouse was rebuilt in 1951. Brauerei Hacklberg no longer produces its own malt.
Extensive restoration work on the remaining festival hall in the Fürstenbau was completed in 2003. The large vaulted cellar is also being restored. It will be used as an exclusive event space, just like the festival hall. Stephan Marold has been the director of the brewery since 2006. A new bottling plant was put into operation in the logistics center in Hutthurm in July 2007. In 2008 a new bottling plant for barrels followed on the grounds of the brewery in Passau.
Brauerei Hacklberg acquired Innstadt Brewery in 2014. Together they celebrate 1100 years of Passau brewing tradition. The brewery thanks those who made this extraordinary history possible.
Brauerei Hacklberg is undergoing general renovation. A modern and sustainable brewery is being created. It will have the highest technical standards. The Hacklberg Bräustüberl is known as the “beeriest place” in Passau. It offers culinary delicacies from the region.
Brauerei Hacklberg consistently focuses on complete recycling. It minimizes waste and reduces emissions. A photovoltaic system was installed on the roof of the logistics center in Hutthurm. The brewery’s trucks meet emission standards.
The new Hacklberg Bräukeller offers space for up to 400 guests. It is integrated in the cellar of the historic Fürstenbau. The rooms of the Bräukeller offer the possibility for all kinds of events.
The brewery relies on solar power. Brewery Manager Stephan Marold emphasizes that the sun is the most inexhaustible power plant. The brewery produces about one third of the electricity it needs in Hutthurm itself. It uses a newly installed photovoltaic system. They hope to save about 2545 tons of CO2 in the next twenty years.
Brauerei Hacklberg brews all beers according to the Bavarian Purity Law. This law only allows the use of hops, malt, yeast and water.
So, as you stand here, remember that you are not just seeing a brewery. You are experiencing a legacy. A legacy of tradition, innovation and a deep connection to Passau.