Ever wondered what gives Flensburger its distinctive character?
Here at Flensburger Brauerei Emil Petersen GmbH und Co. KG, we are standing before a brewery with a story as rich as its beer. Founded in 1888, Flensburger has become a symbol of Flensburg. It is known for its quality and tradition.
The Flensburger Brauerei started as Flensburger Export-Brauerei. Five Flensburg merchants invested 600.000 Mark. A year later, they presented their first beers. These included a light “Export-Bräu” and a dark “Munke-Bräu”.
In 1919, the Flensburger Export-Brauerei merged with Flensburg’s first major brewery. It was the Flensburger Actien-Brauerei-Gesellschaft. The new company was named Flensburger Brauereien AG.
Interestingly, beer was initially delivered by horse-drawn carts. A large stable was built in 1899. It was adorned with mosaics. Motorization gradually ended this era. In 1924, the brewery acquired its first Magirus trucks. By 1935, the old stable was a garage. The last brewery horses retired in 1953.
The brewery faced crises. After a plebiscite in Schleswig in 1920, it lost almost half its sales area. It also faced land expropriation. In 1927, a takeover was averted. The Flensburger Kaufmann Emil Petersen joined the brewery. In 1937, he transformed it into a Kommanditgesellschaft. This helped the company overcome its debts.
During World War II, the brewery faced raw material shortages. The beer’s original wort had to be reduced. Customers had to settle for “whey beer”. The company used forced laborers to replace workers drafted for war.
After the war, the brewery became an “Official NAAFI Brewery”. They could resume brewing operations. Until 1949, the population had to drink whey beer. Lager beer was reserved for the Allies.
The 1950s brought expansion and modernization. New drinks were launched, including Flensburger Exportbier. They also introduced the fruit juice drink Quick.
Great fires struck the Flensburger Brauerei. In 1961, a fire destroyed the malt house. In 1988, another fire destroyed many fermentation tanks.
After Emil Petersen’s death in 1974, his son-in-law Hans Dethleffsen took over. Dethleffsen expanded the brewery. He modernized its product design. He also established advertising and sales departments.
Flensburger gained new fans through the Werner comics. The comic figure loved Flens. This helped the brewery reach a younger audience.
From 1998 to 2010, Lorenz Dethleffsen managed the brewery. During this time, all bottle labels were standardized. The range was expanded. Flens was even offered in cans for a time.
Today, Flensburger Brauerei exports to about 35 countries. Its logo features elements of the Flensburg coat of arms. These include the Schleswig lions, the tower, and waves. A cog symbolizes Flensburg’s maritime history.
Flensburger is famous for its swing-top bottles. The brewery has maintained this tradition. The “plopp” sound is a trademark. Each bottle is reused about 30 times.
The Flensburger Brauerei supports social projects and cultural institutions. It sponsors the SG Flensburg-Handewitt handball team. It also sponsors the Schleswig-Holstein football association.
The Flensburger Brauerei remains dedicated to quality. It blends tradition with innovation. It ensures every bottle delivers a taste of Flensburg. The Flensburger Brauerei is more than just a brewery. It is a piece of Flensburg’s soul.