Brauerei Griess (Geisfeld)

Just a short bike ride south of Bamberg, you will find Brauerei Griess in Geisfeld. Still family owned and traditional in every way since 1872. For the last three generations, it has been in the hands of the Griess family. Peter Griess, who took over the brewing in 1983, still only 19, was Germany’s youngest brewer at the time. His Ungespundetes unfiltered Kellerbier is brewed all year round and it is also found in Euro bottles. It is hoppy for the style with a firm, lingering bitterness. Bursting of flowers from the meadow and followed up by lemons and freshly cut grass. 4.7.

I have been lucky to visit Peter and drink his wonderful Kellerbier a handful of times. At my latest visit last month, Peter told me that the brewery had undergone subtle renovations with respect for the old system and it’s a beauty. Steel added where needed here and there and the new control panel is put on top of the old. In respect of what was.

The brewery is a two vessel system made of iron and the mash tun and boil kettle are hidden behind the tiled blue wall. They are accessable through the beautifull copper sliding doors and from behind you can also access them for cleaning. When standing there, the big panorama windows gives you a nice view from the brewery. From the streets anyone who is curious and passing by, can see a brewery in acton on a brew day. It is indeed a unique layout.

A new bottling line is also being installed and due to that, the annual Bockbieranstich might not happen this year. Still undecided though. Otherwise, they make a delicious unfiltered heller Bock before Christmas and the anstich is usually the last Saturday in November.

Peter’s son in law Fabian Skaggs has stepped in as an additional brewer. Focused on keeping things traditional, I’m sure things will continue in great order.