Klosterbrauerei Andechs

The Klosterbrauerei Andechs is a monastic brewery in Andechs, Upper Bavaria, Germany, well known for its Andechser beers. The brewery is run by the monks of Andechs Abbey, a priory of St. Boniface's Abbey, a Benedictine abbey situated 40 km away in Munich. It is the only monastic brewery in Germany that brews Bock beer year-round for nationwide distribution.

Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Andechs Abbey
Map
LocationAndechs, Bavaria, Germany
Coordinates47°48′28″N 11°10′59″E / 47.80778°N 11.18306°E / 47.80778; 11.18306
Opened1455
Annual production volumeOver 100,000 hectolitres (85,000 US bbl)[1]
Klostergasthof Andechs, a restaurant and Biergarten at the abbey
A tent from Andechs at the 2012 beer festival in Cologne

Every year, the brewery produces over 100,000 hectolitres (85,000 US bbl) of beer.[1] A portion of the beer is served on-site at a restaurant and Biergarten at the abbey, Klostergasthof Andechs; the remainder is exported throughout Germany and worldwide. The activities of the Andechs monks, such as help for the homeless in Munich, are financed with proceeds from brewery - without the aid of any church tax funds.[2]

History

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The earliest documented reference to beer being brewed in Andechs Abbey dates to 1455.[2] The Benedictine monks have continued the brewing tradition in the centuries since. A seven-story malt house was built on the site in 1906, and the first bottling facility was added in 1950. In 1972, the abbey decided to create a separate brewing facility at the foot of the mountain, which was completed in 1974, followed by a new brewing building in 1983. The fermentation and storage facilities were expanded in 2006, and the brewhouse was renovated in 2007.

Beers

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Andechser beers are brewed exclusively in Andechs using the traditional multiple mashing process. Only aroma hops are used, no bitter hops.[2] The best-known beer is the Doppelbock Dunkel, with an original extract of 18.5% (18.5° Plato or 1.076 original gravity) and over 7% Alcohol by volume.[3] In addition, the brewery produces a Helles, Spezial Hell, Bergbock Hell, Export Dunkel, Hefeweizen, and Dunkelweizen.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Andechser Bierspezialitäten". Andechs.de. n.d. Retrieved 23 October 2015. Jedes Jahr werden über 100.000 hl Bier am Fuße des Heiligen Bergs gebraut.
  2. ^ a b c [1] Klosterbrauerei Andechs Monastery Brewery
  3. ^ "Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel". Andechs.de. n.d. Retrieved 14 January 2020. A strong Doppelbock that embodies the centuries old Benedictine brewing tradition, sip by delicious sip (original extract: 18.5%, abv: over 7.0%).
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