Privatbrauerei Friedrich Haaß

Privatbrauerei Friedrich Haaß is a small, family-owned brewery based in Treysa, a district of Schwalmstadt in northern Hesse, Germany. Founded in 1820 by Otto Schreiber, the brewery was acquired in 1890 by Friedrich and Susanne Haaß, whose name it still bears. It has remained in the Haaß family for five generations and is currently run by managing partners Eckhard Haaß and Friedrich Haaß. The brewery produces around 7,000 hectoliters of beer annually and employs about 15 people (as of 2021). Its core brands are Schwalm and Schwälmer, with a portfolio of seven beer varieties, including the unfiltered Vierbräu (introduced in 2008) and Haaßebier (introduced in 2012). The brewery's logo features a Schwälmer man in traditional dress with a hat and a beer mug. Beyond brewing, the company operates several business divisions: production and distribution of its own beers; sale of mineral water, soft drinks, and third-party beers; supply and consulting for the hospitality sector; tent rental including furnishings; a home beverage delivery service called "Mein Bier-Kurier"; and supply to retail and wholesale. According to the brewery, it serves 30 restaurants and 25 beverage markets in the surrounding area. The home delivery service reaches 83 localities on fixed delivery days. The brewery is a member of Brauring, a cooperative society of private breweries from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The company emphasizes regional ties, tradition, and sustainability. It describes itself as a regional brewery and traditional family business with a history of over 200 years, committed to social and ecological causes, promoting culture and sports, and practicing responsible resource management with short supply chains. Despite a declining sales trend since the 1980s, the brewery continues to invest in modernization, most recently completing a new brewhouse in 2020.

The brewery was founded in 1820 by Otto Schreiber on the Ascheröder Landweg, outside the town of Treysa. In 1870 it was sold as the Schreibersche Brauerei to Vitus Krauss. In 1890, Friedrich and Susanne Haaß acquired the brewery, which then included a malthouse and extensive farmland. The malthouse was discontinued in 1905, and the brewery was modernized, with production facilities moved from the historic brewery building (now a residence) to a new operational building. During World War I, supply shortages forced the brewery to source beer from the Kasseler Herkules Brauerei between 1915 and 1920. To improve its financial structure, the brewery, previously a partnership, became a GmbH with 24 shareholders, including local innkeepers and entrepreneurs. In 1926, Wilhelm Haaß, the second-youngest son of Friedrich Haaß, joined the business. In 1935, Rudolf Haaß, the youngest son, returned to Treysa as a brewmaster. In 1937, the GmbH was converted into a KG with Wilhelm and Rudolf Haaß as general partners. The outbreak of World War II again restricted production, leading to the manufacture of whey beer and barrel lemonade. A large cellar of the brewery was used as an air-raid shelter by the opposite Schwalmschule (now Schwalmgymnasium). After the war, raw materials for brewing were scarce, and the occupying forces only permitted thin beer with 0.8% alcohol. From 1950, the facilities were renewed and production reorganized. In 1966, Friedrich Karl Haaß, son of Wilhelm Haaß, joined the family business after completing brewmaster school and working at other breweries. The stables and barn belonging to the farm were replaced by a vehicle hall. The purchase of a steel tent for larger events and a smaller aluminum tent laid the foundation for a tent rental business. In 1986, a warehouse was built to house tent furniture, crates, barrels, and the expanded vehicle fleet. In 1992, a large extension was added to the east side of the brewery, including a new storage cellar, a beverage warehouse with loading bay, and significantly enlarged office space. Investments were also made in brewhouse automation, wort cooling, and internal piping. In 1996, free-standing stainless steel fermentation and storage tanks were used for the first time. In 1997, kegs and a new keg cleaning/filling system replaced the bulbous aluminum barrels. In 2002, the bottling plant and central refrigeration system were upgraded to the latest technology. A general overhaul of the copper brewhouse followed in 2005, with new stainless steel fittings in the mash tun and lauter tun. In 2008, the unfiltered beer variety Vierbräu was introduced. In 2010, with the installation of a third free-standing fermentation and storage tank, the old aluminum storage tanks in the vaulted cellars were decommissioned. In 2012, the beer variety Haaßebier was presented. In 2020, the new brewhouse was completed. The brewery has been managed by the Haaß family for five generations. Managing partners are Eckhard Haaß and Friedrich Haaß. The brewery is a member of Brauring, a cooperative society of private breweries from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Sales have been declining since the 1980s.

• 2020

  New brewhouse completed.

• 2012

  Beer variety Haaßebier presented.

• 2010

  Third free-standing tank installed; old aluminum tanks decommissioned.

• 2008

  Unfiltered beer Vierbräu introduced.

• 2005

  General overhaul of copper brewhouse.

• 2002

  Bottling plant and central refrigeration upgraded.

• 1997

  Kegs and new keg cleaning/filling system replace aluminum barrels.

• 1996

  First use of free-standing stainless steel fermentation and storage tanks.

• 1992

  Large extension with new storage cellar, beverage warehouse, and offices.

• 1986

  Warehouse built for tent furniture, crates, barrels, and vehicles.

• 1966

  Friedrich Karl Haaß joins the family business.

• 1950

  Facilities renewed and production reorganized.

• 1937

  GmbH converted to KG with Wilhelm and Rudolf Haaß as general partners.

• 1935

  Rudolf Haaß returns as brewmaster.

• 1926

  Wilhelm Haaß joins the business.

• 1915

  Due to WWI supply shortages, beer sourced from Kasseler Herkules Brauerei until 1920.

• 1905

  Malthouse discontinued; brewery modernized and production moved to new building.

• 1890

  Acquired by Friedrich and Susanne Haaß.

• 1870

  Sold as Schreibersche Brauerei to Vitus Krauss.

• 1820

  Founded by Otto Schreiber on the Ascheröder Landweg outside Treysa.

Regional, traditional, family-owned brewery emphasizing craftsmanship, local ties, and sustainability.

• Schwalm Bräu

  Core beer brand.

• Schwälmer

  Beer brand, includes Schwälmer Haaßebier.

• Vierbräu

  Unfiltered beer variety introduced in 2008.

• Haaßebier

  Beer variety introduced in 2012.

• Mein Bier-Kurier

  Home beverage delivery service covering 83 localities.

1. 1Aktuelles - Schwalmbräuschwalmbraeu.de
2. 2Wir über uns - Schwalmbräuschwalmbraeu.de
3. 3Privatbrauerei Friedrich Haaß - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Privat-Brauerei Friedrich Haaß - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org