The quiet hamlet of Rügheim has been incorporated into the larger Hofheim postal code but has a storied history dating back to as early as the 6th century and was first formally mentioned in 814. Scenically nestled in the bucolic rolling hills of the Haßberg county of Lower Franconia, it’s located 45 km northwest of Bamberg. It’s 40 minutes by car and can be reached by a train to Haßfurt and a limited bus from there.
Brauhaus Rügheim
97461 Hofheim/Rügheim (Königsberg i.Bay.)
Tel: not available/not open to the public
Haßfurt station 9 km/limited bus service from there
Opening hours:
Not open to the general public except for events, their Braufest is generally in summer
Output: ?
Brewing took place on this site as early as the 17th century but had ceased by the 1960s. It took the efforts of a “Brewing & Baking” club to bring it back to life in 2014. They totally renovated the former water tower of a ruined castle with the idea of bringing back not only the brewing heritage but also that of the town’s traditional bakers. To that end, a wood-fired oven was also installed. Though privately funded and they could sell to the public, they nearly all of the beer for their own consumption aside from their yearly Braufest and the occasional one-off.
4th Braufest in Rügheim
I was happy to attend the 4th Braufest in Rügheim in July 2024. The one-day event is held on a Sunday and with limited opening hours, I was equally glad I had a ride to and from. I spoke with someone who had gone by train/bus via Haßfurt and they started serving a bit before their advertised 14:00 so he had a good 90 minutes. The Brauhaus Rügheim Spezial Lager was a lovely hoppy brew with enough malt (and likely alcohol) to be deemed a Festbier and was unfiltered. According to reports, it was maltier earlier on and later in the day, though evidently the same batch. Rustic variation isn’t uncommon but that seemed even extreme for that. I was happy mine was hoppy or at least hoppy to me. The Bratwurst was predictably amazing, as they always are in these parts.
a rustic brew hoppy brew & lovely Bratwurst Semmel
Of course, a festival like this without food wouldn’t be much of draw and there were some fine if simple things on offer in addition to the Bratwurst. One noticeable aspect in addition to the typical homemade cakes was traditional bread baked in their wood oven. I had this with Frischkäse und Radieschen, a surprisingly tasty if simple combination. The bread tasted like bread is supposed to taste and I would have been ecstatic to get my hands on a loaf to bring home.
home baked bread with fresh cheese & radishes with friends enjoying the Braufest
I’d definitely return next year even if by public transportation and if there is a Bock event, I’d up for that too.
Beers: Spezial Lager, Hell, Bock, IPL
Beer calendar:
Bock in winter
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