Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus is a brewery owned by the German state of Baden-Württemberg.[3] Rothaus, at the northern edge of the village of Grafenhausen in the southern Black Forest, is one of Germany's most successful and profitable regional breweries.
History
Rothaus received its name from the patrician family "Roth", which originated from the region of Klettgau and settled down in Grafenhausen around 1300. In 1340, they began the construction of their homestead there, the "Rothe Haus" (Ger.: "The Red House"). In 1660, the house was sold to a man named Michael Kaiser who proceeded to turn it into an inn after obtaining a liquor license from the Benedictine monastery of St. Blasien. The order itself bought the premises 100 years later and reconstructed it.
Under the leadership of Martin Gerbert, prince-abbot of the abbey, the monks' council decided in late 1790 to start attempts of brewing in January 1791. Gerbert's intention was to enhance the status of his lordship of Bonndorf over the nearby princedom of Fürstenberg. Fürstenberg had been in possession of a brewing license since the 13th century and later originated the "Fürstlich Fürstenbergische Brauerei" (Fürstenberg Brewery). Additionally, the brewery was a measure of economic promotion, as it was intended to create employment and to counteract the allegedly overpriced beer from