Private brewery

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The roots of today's Egger private brewery lie in the 17th century. The suburban brewery of “Pierpreu” Hans Gwercher in Kufstein was first mentioned in a document in 1675. Since 1866, the brewery and a sawmill, which is the basis for the success story in the wood processing industry, as well as the agriculture in St. Johann, Tyrol, have been owned by the Egger family.

Soon there is no longer enough space under the Wilder Kaiser for the expanding company and so Fritz Egger comes across Unterradlberg while looking for a new company location. Two striking criteria led to the decision to move from Tyrol to Lower Austria:

  1.   Enough water of outstanding quality
  2.   2/3 of Austria can easily be provided by this location
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So the decision was made to leave home and in 1976 the outdated brewery in Kufstein finally closed the brewhouse. The brewery in Unterradlberg was completed in 1978 and the first beer was bottled in June of the same year.

From day one, work in Unterradlberg follows the German Purity Law.

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... We particularly want that from now on, everywhere in our cities, markets and in the countryside, no beer other than barley, hops and water should be used and brewed for any beer. ...

German Purity Law 1514

Getting into the beer business was very difficult at the time because the beer market was controlled by the beer cartel. A few large beer producers had a firm grip on the market. Only with the exception of private sales the trade in beer was protected by cartel regulations. But the Egger family didn't let that deter them.

With a competitive price and a good deal of courage, Egger Bier takes on the competition. Shortly afterwards, the private brewery received support from Hans Dichand, publisher of the Kronen Zeitung, with its advertising campaign “An Egger Beer for Every Viennese”.

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The tv spot with Karl Merkatz (known as "Mundl" from the series "A real Viennese doesn't go down") also attracts attention. With the typical Viennese humor and a pinch of courage, the television commercial shows Merkatz taking a strong sip of Egger beer. At that time it was still forbidden to drink beer on commercial television.

Around the turn of the 2000s, the Egger private brewery decided to modernize the Egger logo and change the color of the beer crates. This courageous step quickly pays off and customers like the new green beer crates  and the beer continues to taste good. Egger Beer is a premium brand, from the purchase of raw materials through production to quality control, we set the highest standards and our customers also enjoy it.

Um die 2.000er Wende entschied sich die Privatbrauerei Egger zu einer Modernisierung des Egger Logos und einem Farbwechsel der Bierkisten. Dieser mutige Schritt zahlt sich prompt aus und die neuen grünen Bierkisten finden Anklang bei den Kunden und Kundinnen und das Bier schmeckt weiterhin. Egger Bier ist eine Premiummarke, vom Einkauf der Rohstoffe über die Produktion bis zur Qualitätskontrolle setzen wir auf höchstes Niveau und das Schmecken auch unsere Kunden und Kundinnen.

In 2017, the umbrella brand Egger Drinks was founded, under which Egger beer as well as the non-alcoholic drinks Radlberger and Granny's will now be managed and produced.

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The world of Egger Bier: numbers and facts that inspire

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history and impressive figures of the Egger private brewery. Discover how a small brewery that has existed since 1675 has become a modern company that embeds quality and sustainability in every drop of its products. Here you will find the most important data and facts that distinguish Egger Beer - from the export countries to the number of employees to the variety of Egger Beer varieties, here are the most important figures for the private brewery.

  • Is Egger Beer an independent private brewery?

    Yes. The Egger private brewery has been owner-managed since it was first mentioned in 1675 and has been run by the Egger family since the 19th century. We have been a member of the Association of Independent Private Breweries in Austria since 2021.

Egger Beer Awards: A Tradition of Excellence

Here you will find an overview of the national and international awards that Egger Bier has won in the last years. Our brewery has received numerous recognitions for the quality of our beers both nationally and internationally. Discover the various awards that confirm our dedication to the craft of brewing and our focus on quality. See for yourself how Egger Bier asserts itself in the world of brewing as a brand of high quality and innovation.

“Our flagship product and bestseller Egger Märzen is on the top step of the podium for the seventh time in a row - a strong sign of our consistent quality work. The category win for Zwickl beer also makes us proud. Our naturally cloudy beers stand for character, craftsmanship and freshness” says master brewer Johannes Meister.

Falstaff Beer Trophy 2025

Here you can find more about the Falstaff Beer Trophy.

Egger Beer Awards: A Tradition of Excellence
Egger Beer Awards: A Tradition of Excellence
Egger Beer Awards: A Tradition of Excellence

European Beer Star 2023

Here you can find more about the European Beer Star.

Austrian Beer Challenge 2023

Here you can find more about the Austrian Beer Challenge.

Ingredients

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From the careful selection of ingredients to the precise control of the kilning process - every step in the manufacturing process contributes to creating the unique taste experience of Egger beer

WATER:

Water is the fundamental ingredient in the brewing process and plays a crucial role in producing high-quality beer. The Egger private brewery knows the importance of this vital element and therefore draws the water for its beers from its own well. This natural source provides soft, pure water, which forms the ideal basis for developing and preserving the fine flavor nuances and characteristic clarity of Egger beers. By using its own well water, the brewery ensures that each beer is not only refreshing and delicious, but also of consistent quality.
 

BARLEY:

Our malt, a fundamental ingredient in the production of our unique beers, comes from the European Union. This ensures that every grain meets the highest standards of quality and sustainability. By adhering to these strict guidelines, we not only ensure the purity and taste of our beer, but also promote responsible farming practices and environmental protection.
 

HOP:

Our hops, the heart of every beer, come from the best growing regions in Austria and Germany, where they are grown in compliance with the strictest ecological standards. In addition to Austrian hops, the Egger private brewery also uses aroma hops from the Hallertau.

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Water also becomes a fine wine when mixed with malt and hops.

Discover the diversity of hops in beer brewing

We are proud to collaborate with hop farmers who share our passion for quality and our commitment to sustainability. These partnerships allow us not only to ensure the freshness and aroma of the hops but also to protect the environment and preserve natural resources.

Hops play an indispensable role in the brewing process and are largely responsible for the taste, aroma and characteristic bitterness of the beer. This versatile plant is not only used as a natural preservative, but also shapes the flavor profile of every beer.

Each hop variety brings its own nuances - from citrusy and floral notes to earthy and herbal. By selecting specific hop varieties, brewers can specifically influence the intensity and type of bitterness as well as the aromatic depth of the beer.

The illustration above shows how different the flavor profiles of different hop varieties can be, allowing beer lovers to better understand and appreciate the complexity of their favorite beverage.

The hops are therefore not just an ingredient, but the heart of the taste experience in every beer. Enjoy the variety and let yourself be seduced by the unique aromas that hops give your beer.

Certificates & Partnerschips

The "Austria Bio Garantie" certificate verifies that products are produced and controlled strictly according to Austrian and European organic standards, guaranteeing sustainable agriculture and the use of natural resources without synthetic chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers.

  
The independent private brewery seal emphasizes that the brewery operates completely independently, free of external corporate dependencies, which enables it to maintain quality and brewing traditions according to its own high standards.

 

The process of beer brewing

The malt production

Malt is the essential ingredient in beer production and plays a crucial role in developing the taste, color and aroma of the beer. Malt production is a fascinating process that requires care, expertise and time. After the freshly harvested malting barley is delivered, it must be stored in the Austrian malthouse for around 6 weeks in order to dissipate the harvest heat and to allow the grain to germinate. The grain is then soaked to absorb water

  • The process begins with selecting high-quality malting barley, which is carefully cleaned and soaked to encourage germination. During the germination process, enzymes are activated that convert starch into sugar, which is crucial for fermentation.
     
  • Once the barley has sprouted, it is kilned by drying it in an oven. This process stops the germination process and gives the malt its characteristic color and aromas. The temperature and duration of kilning have a significant influence on the taste of the malt and thus also of the subsequent beer.
     
  • After kilning, the malt is carefully cleaned and sorted to ensure only the best grains are used. The finished malt is then shipped to breweries around the world, where it serves as the basis for beer production.
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If the malt is the body of the beer, the hops are the soul!

Der Prozess des Bierbrauens

From the malt silo to bottling

Beer making is an art that requires precision and passion. The process can be roughly divided into four main phases: mashing, lautering and cooking, fermentation and maturation, and filtration and bottling. Each stage is crucial to the quality and taste of the final product.

1. Mashing

The first step in beer production begins in the malt silo, where the barley is stored. The malt is ground and then mixed with water in the mash tun to form the mash. During mashing, the starches in the malt are converted into sugar by enzymes, which later forms the basis for alcohol production. This process is temperature controlled and goes through different temperature phases to activate specific enzymes that maximize the efficiency of sugar formation.

Der Prozess des Bierbrauens

2. Purification and cooking

After mashing, lautering follows. Here the liquid wort is separated from the solid, the spent grain. The clear wort is then fed into a large kettle where it is brought to a boil. During boiling, hops and other ingredients are added that give the beer its characteristic bitterness and aroma. The hops not only add flavor and aroma, but also act as a natural preservative. Boiling also helps sterilize the wort and remove unwanted proteins.

Der Prozess des Bierbrauens

3. Fermentation and maturity

The boiled wort is cooled and transferred to fermentation tanks. Yeast is added and fermentation begins. During fermentation, the yeast converts the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. This step is crucial for alcohol production and the development of the beer's flavor profile. After the yeast has processed most of the sugars, the young beer is transferred to storage containers for maturation, where it matures in cold temperatures and the flavors harmonize.

Der Prozess des Bierbrauens

4. Filtration and bottling

The final step is filtration, which removes excess yeast and other cloudy substances from the beer to ensure clarity and stability. After filtration, the beer is almost ready to drink. It is bottled, canned or keged and sealed, often with the addition of carbon dioxide to make the beer foamy. The beer is then labeled and packaged, ready to be shipped to bars, restaurants and retailers.

Der Prozess des Bierbrauens

Each of these steps is integral to the production of high quality beer. From the careful selection of malt in the silo to the precise control of fermentation temperatures and thorough filtration, beer making is a combination of science and tradition that beer lovers around the world appreciate. At Egger Beer we take the time to perfect every detail so that every glass offers the purest pleasure.

Dare to enjoy the best beer and find your favourite Egger Beer here.