European Breweries History: Kaltenberg Brewery
The Wittelsbachs, who ruled the duchy of Bavaria from the 12th century
through World War I, have a lengthy brewing history. Duke Ludwig the Severe
was the first in his line to open a brewery, and that was in Munich in the 12th
century.
In 1516 Duke Wilhelm IV established the Reinheitsgebot beer purity
law for all of Bavaria, which stated: “…nothing is to be added to or used in
beer other than barley, hops and water. Whosoever knowingly disobeys this decree
will be severely punished by the court having jurisdiction over him by having his
barrel of beer confiscated whenever this offense occurs.”
The German Oktoberfest tradition began in 1810 for the marriage of
King Ludwig I, and in 1868 Ludwig II (the “mad” king of Bavaria — the same
guy who built amazing Neuschwanstein Castle that became a model for Walt
Disney when he built his dream land in California) founded a brewing school
in Munich that today is known as the Technische Universitat and boasts 20,000
students.
In the 1990's Crown Prince Luitpold, great grandson of Ludwig III
(last of the Bavarian kings), manages the Kaltenberg brewery, which is actually
two breweries — one in Kaltenberg proper, where the dark beers are made,
and the other in nearby Furstenfeldbruck, where the golden lagers and Konig
Ludwig Weiss is made. Prince Luitpold also opened the Kaltenberg Castle
Royal Bavarian Brewhouse in Vail, Colorado USA. Th American brewery brews
Kaltenberg Pils, Konig Ludwig Dunkel and the weiss, with some seasonals
such as an Oktoberfest and Christmas bock.
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