Babben Brewery

Babben Brewery (Brauhaus und Pension Babben) is a small family-run brewery and guesthouse in the historic old town of Lübbenau in the Spreewald region of Brandenburg, Germany. Located on Brauhausgasse, the brewery traces its brewing rights back to 23 July 1670, when a documented settlement granted brewing rights to the Lübbenau brewing community. Over the centuries the brewery changed hands several times, including joint management by the Brau-Urbarschaft and the Braugemeinde Lübbenau, before returning to private ownership in 1903 under master brewer Otto Trüstedt. In 1928 the brewery passed to master brewer Erich Babben, whose family name it still bears. The brewery has a 10-hectoliter brewhouse and produces beers including a pale Hell, a very popular dark specialty beer, and seasonal varieties such as Bockbier, Weizen, and Märzen. All beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized, retaining their full aroma, and are brewed according to the German Reinheitsgebot (beer purity law). The brewery also offers guest rooms and holiday apartments for Spreewald visitors; its location next to the Stadtgraben (town moat) makes it a convenient starting point for punt tours of the region's waterways. According to the imprint on its website, the business is currently represented by Roberto Babben. It remains a privately held family business and is not listed on any stock exchange. The brewery combines traditional craft brewing with hospitality; guests can watch the brewing process through a window, though guided tours are not offered. Its address is Brauhausgasse 2, 03222 Lübbenau, and its website is www.babben-bier.de.

The history of brewing in Lübbenau, and by extension Babben Brewery, begins on July 23, 1670, when a recorded recess (Rezeß) established brewing rights for the brewing community (Brauerschaft) of Lübbenau. On January 29, 1677, the lord of the castle issued a rescript aimed at reducing the number of citizens entitled to brew. At that time Lübbenau had 38 full, 13 half, and 2 quarter brewing estates. On May 5, 1682, the Duke of Saxony, Jülich, Cleve, and Berg granted the brewing community a brewing ordinance (Brauordnung), which stipulated that full estates could brew 8 whole batches per year, half estates 4, and quarter estates 2. On August 13, 1751, Christian Birkholz, holder of the brewhouse, transferred his right to Christian Richter, who rebuilt it at Halbiks Garten on the Spree (corner of Brauhausfließ and Brauhausgasse). On August 12, 1750, Christian Richter left the brewhouse with all brewing vessels to the Brau-Urbarschaft of Lübbenau, which managed it collectively from then on. From May 1, 1877, the owner used the designation Braugemeinde Lübbenau. On February 7, 1903, the property returned to private hands, specifically to brewmaster Otto Trüstedt. The brewhouse on the Spree and the malthouse at Brauhausgasse 3 were in full operation. On March 1, 1911, the property was transferred to brewer Franz Neumann, who moved the brewery equipment to the malthouse building at Brauhausgasse 3, shut down the malthouse, and sourced brewing malt from malt factories. This ownership ended on November 6, 1928. From November 8, 1928, the brewery was owned by brewmaster Erich Babben. As introduced by the previous owner, the production of non-alcoholic beverages was resumed as a secondary operation. From January 1, 1962, the business operated with state participation, likely reflecting the socialist economic system in East Germany at the time. The brewery continues to operate today as a family business under the Babben name, brewing unfiltered, unpasteurized beer according to the German Purity Law and offering guest accommodations in Lübbenau's old town.

• 1962

  Business operates with state participation from January 1.

• 1928

  Brewery comes into possession of brewmaster Erich Babben on November 8.

• 1911

  Property transferred to brewer Franz Neumann on March 1; brewery equipment moved to malthouse building.

• 1903

  Property returns to private hands under brewmaster Otto Trüstedt on February 7.

• 1877

  Owner adopts the designation Braugemeinde Lübbenau from May 1.

• 1751

  Christian Birkholz transfers his brewhouse right to Christian Richter on August 13.

• 1750

  Christian Richter transfers the brewhouse to the Brau-Urbarschaft of Lübbenau on August 12.

• 1682

  Duke of Saxony, Jülich, Cleve, and Berg grants a brewing ordinance on May 5.

• 1677

  Castle lord issues a rescript to reduce the number of brewing-entitled citizens on January 29.

• 1670

  Recorded recess grants brewing rights to the brewing community of Lübbenau on July 23.

Traditional, artisanal small brewery and guesthouse offering unfiltered, unpasteurized beer brewed according to the German Purity Law in the heart of the Spreewald.

• Hell beer

  A light, unfiltered, unpasteurized beer brewed according to the German Purity Law.

• Dark specialty beer

  A very popular dark beer, unfiltered and unpasteurized.

• Bockbier

  A seasonal strong beer, produced depending on the season.

• Weizen

  A seasonal wheat beer.

• Märzen

  A seasonal Märzen-style beer.

1. 1Brauhaus & Pension Babben - babben-biers Webseite!babben-bier.de
2. 2Impressum - babben-biers Webseite!babben-bier.de
3. 3Geschichte - babben-biers Webseite!babben-bier.de
4. 4Babben Brewery - Wikidatawikidata.org