Fresh and exciting (Veltins)
Our man takes a tour round one of Germany's great pilsener success stories
It is a story of a small country brewer ahead of its time that has made Veltins one of the most respected names of pilsener beer in Germany. This is no mean job in a country where there are some 1200 breweries producing 5000 beers. Most are bought and drank within a few miles of the brewery so you have to be doing something different to get your beer outside the cradle of the brew town.
Veltins prides itself on using the best natural ingredients, in accordance with the German Purity law of 1516 – only allowing the use of malt, hops, yeast and water in the brewing process.
The hops used in the process are taken from the Hallertau (Perle and Magnum varieties), Tettnang and the Czech Republic (Saaz). Veltins employs a permanent specialist in the Hallertau to monitor the hop crop, and has its own test gardens there.
The firm also places a great emphasis on its water source and the family’s traditional recipe to ensure a great tasting brew.
When you arrive at the sprawling brewery site in Grevenstein, at the heart of the Sauerland, a friendly welcome and attention to detail is just part of the giveaway that the firm has been owned by the same family for five generations.
Since 1824, the brewery has been serving customers from the gates, and also supplying many of the inns in the surrounding area.
Initially the brewery was located at the Becker Hotel in the heart of the village. The hotel still stands, and offers the beer, but as demand grew beyond the original 150 hectolitre.....
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By Rob Allanson
Section : Brewery Focus
Page number : 26
