Bedheim Brauhaus is a small historical communal brewery best visited during its annual Bach & Brauhausfest. It’s located in Bedheim, a picturesque village nestled in the rural Hildburghausen county of Thuringia. First mentioned in 1169, it’s home to the Bedheim Castle and St. Killian Church. It’s got a handful of pretty half-timbered buildings as well as the classic Thuringian gray slate. It’s also part of the municipality of Römhild. Hildburghauseen is rich in communal breweries. Across the border from Lower Franconia and part of the Fränkischer Reichskreis, it’s included here as it’s historically and linguistically tied.
Bedheim sights
Bedheim is conveniently located on the bus line between Hildburghausen and Seßlach. So, I did not need to do any walking to reach it but I did hike to nearby Gleichamberg for their festival the same day.
lovely scenery around Bedheim
Bedheim Brauhaus
98630 Römhild (Bedheim)
map
Bad Rodach Station 13 km
Opening hours:
Not open to the general public outside of the annual Back & Brauhausfest.
Output: ?
History
Bedheim Brauhaus dates back to around 1869 when it was added to the Backhaus. The connection between baking and brewing is an ancient one that is well-documented. There are few places to see this more clearly in modern times than in Thuringia. While the Brauhaus was not readily accessible during the Fest, the Backhaus was easy enough to observe, in action no less.
Bedheim Back und Brauhausfest in action
Back und Brauhausfest 2026
Bedheim generally only has one festival per year, a combination Back & Brauhausfest. As the name suggests, it features both the brewery and bakery. It didn’t appear the brewery was open but I must admit to not particularly trying due to time constraints. The festival was across the road and pleasantly laid out. It was a hot day and not untypically, shady spots were in short supply. Lines for food were very quick even though fairly busy. A live band rounded things our nicely.
a pleasant area & live music
The beer
Bedheim Brauhaus Hausbrauerbier was a malty treat. A low carbonation brew as expected in these parts, it had a lovely grainy palate. The semi-dry lingering finish along with the food had me going back for another.
Bedheim Brauhaus Hausbrauerbier
The Food
Bedheim Brauhaus offers very traditional baked goods. These are highly coveted due to their limited availability. Dätscher (often also spelled Detscher) is particularly so. This potato based “pie” is topped with smoky ham pieces, much like Flammkuchen. It’s quite thin and pliable as evidenced by their unique flipping of the pointed edge of the slice back. Zwiebelkuchen or onion pie is similarly thin in the area. Of course, they have your typical grilled meats but I’d had my fill of Bratwurst. So, I stuck with the baked items. Their rhubarb cake was really good, too.
traditional baked items, both savory and sweet, are a Fest highlight
Since the Bedheim Back und Brauhausfest was the first place, I’d finally tried the much sought after Dätscher, it will always be special to me. I quite enjoyed the beer and the rhubarb cake was a perfect ending to a long day. I’d happily return next year and the cakes will surely entice my wife to join me.
Beers on tap: Bedheim Brauhaus Hausbrauerbier.
Similar communal brewery experiences in Thuringia can be found in Hildburghausen county.
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