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Memminger Brauerei GmbH is counted among the most important breweries of the region and is considered to be one of the 100 largest in Germany. Demanding to excel in everything, the management keeps to the market policy: convincing quality is the basis of the business. Our associates take part in it. The sense of duty to protect the environment is an important issue of the Memminger Brewery’s management.
The cornerstone of the company’s philosophy is, therefore, to keep the environment clean and to treat natural resources carefully. The Memminger Brewery meets the beer-drinkers’ high demand by offering a complete range of 1st-class beer specialities. Due to changes of the market situation the Memmingers also offer a large scale of non-alcoholic beverages of all different tastes.
July 2015
1886
When Josef Herz took over the brewery restaurant „Zum Schwarzen Ochsen“ in Memmingen, probably no one could ever guess that with this the groundstone for one of the most successful private breweries had been laid.
1897
Ranks third with 2,830 hl and second in 1906 with 4,231 hl. At that time there still existed another 21 breweries as well as 35 taverns, inns and wine-restaurants.
1911
On 1. June 1911 the first large brewery was founded in Memmingen. Josef Herz, with the brewery “Zum Schwarzen Ochsen” Wilhelm Bilgram with the brewery “Zum Schwarzen Adler” and Fritz Halder, owner of the brewery “Weisses Ross” merged, forming a joint-stock company named “Bürgerliches Brauhaus”. “Zum Schwarzen Ochsen”, run by Josef Herz, was jointly used, as this brewery proved to have the most modern brewing technique.
1911/12
The beer output of the new brewery was approx. 40.000 hl.
1912
Josef Herz sends for Albert Sayle, a young brewery master from “Pschorr Brauerei” to come to Memmingen.
1918
Josef Herz senior, Max Herz and Josef Herz Junior died. The management was taken over by Albert Sayle and Josef Forster was assigned chairman of the supervisory board.
1920
As a consequence of big economic difficulties, the two largest breweries in Memmingen, namely “Bürgerliches Brauhaus AG Memmingen” and “Engelbrauerei Memmingen Gebrüder Memmingen” merged to “Bürger- und Engelbräu Aktiengesellschaft”. The board of directors was constituted by Albert Sayle and Hugo Bilgram.
1923-39
Several restaurants were taken over and the Benediktiner Brewery Ottobeuren was affiliated. Three wheat beer breweries, Jaut, Steinbogen and Waldhornbrauerei, were bought. New branches were opened in Munich, Augsburg, Constance, Besigheim, Oberurbach, Hindelang, Geislingen, Munderkingen as well as the Benediktiner Brewery in Ottobeuren.
1938
Albert Sayle succeeded in achieving an increased output of 128.000 hl. The Second World War, however, destroyed everything which had until then been achieved through years of endeavour and hard work.
1945
As a result of World War Two, sales dropped to 40.000 hl.
1948
The brewery installations were partly renewed and more halls and machines acquired to keep up with the increasing sales of bottled beer. The storage capacity was expanded through alterations and renovations. The fermentation cellar was largely expanded, technical systems updated, in order to produce a perfect beer.
1955
Albert Sayle managed to exceed the pre-war period beer sales.
1972
Jochen Kesselschläger joined the Bürger- und Engelbräu AG.
1973
Albert Sayle dies in 1973 – for Bürger- and Engelbräu AG the loss of an eminent authority.
1974
Jochen Kesselschläger was appointed holder of a general authorised signatory.
1975
Jochen Kesselschläger was nominated as further member of the board.
1977
The Bürger- and Engelbräu AG brewery decided to build a new brewery in the “green countryside” in the north of Memmingen. Jochen Kesselschläger succeeded in making the new B & E brewery ready for production within a total period of only two years.
1979
The new brewing room started operating with the first Sud Memminger Gold. At that time it was the state-of-the-art brewery in Europe.
1989
Thanks to the German reunification, new market opportunities emerged in the new Federal States.
1986
Takeover of the “Traditionsbrauerei Weitnau” in the Allgäu–region with approx. 30.000 hl per year and 25 employees. The Weitnau brewery remained as a “daughter” i.e. subsidiary in Memmingen and employment security was maintained as well. Brands such as “Alpkönig” were called back to life.
1990
The first lorry loaded with Memminger beer left the brewery premises, heading towards Saxony. New partners in Berlin, Eisleben and Gera were gained.
1991
B & E presented itself for the first time at the “Grüne Woche “ in Berlin.
1992/3
As a result of the Berlin-engagement, 170 restaurants, later amounting to 350 gastronomical businesses, were able to enjoy the Memminger beer.
1998
Takeover of the majoritiy of shares by the Kesselschläger family on 13.03.1998. Foundation of the Memminger Brauerei GmbH & Co. Grundstücks KG. on 08.09.1998 .Memminger Brauerei AG is the authorized signatory. Alteration of the name to the “Memminger” brand.
1999
The operating business of the Memminger Brauerei Logistik GmbH, which was founded already in 02.09.1996, was taken up on 12.05.1999.
2000
On July 1, the Ulmer Brauerei (UMB) was sheltered in the Memminger house, thus offering this traditionally rich brewery a future perspective. To realize this plan, the Ulmer Münster Brauerei GmbH & Co Vertriebs KG was founded.
2001
On 20.11.2001 the Memminger Brewery took over 100% of all associate-shares of the Ulmer Münster Brauerei GmbH & Co. Vertriebs KG.
2003
The legal designation “AG” (Public Limited Company) which was no longer adequate for the family business was changed. Since then, the Memminger Brewery has been operating as a GmbH (Limited Liability Company). On 03.12.2003 the Ulmer Münster Brauerei Geschäftsführung GmbH merged in the Memminger Brauerei GmbH.
2005
The export to Italy could be expanded through associates in the wholesale trade, and in addition, a partner contract was entered with one of the largest Russian beer importers. Due to an increased demand, a second work-shift has been operating since May, and gladly, new jobs have been created. Today the Memminger Brewery, with more than 20 beer specialities and a wide spectrum of non-alcoholic beverages, is considered to be the most important private and traditional brewery of the region. Furthermore it is proud to rank 8th on the export list of Bavarian breweries. In times of globalisation, this line is indispensable, but regional brands like the Memminger are right now of special importance, too. In regions with a clear overview it has been possible to establish business relationships and also personal contacts. This is the basis of trustful co-operation over generations.
2008
To continue with the tradition beeing one of the most decorated brewery in Germany – the Memminger Brewery started 2008 again, to participate in the toughest beer-contest in the world – the German DLG competition. In the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 a total of 24 Gold-Medals have been awarded to us. Thus, the Memminger Brewery maintains its position as one of the most decorated breweries in Germany.