Köslau (Köslauer Rennweg Brauer)

Köslau is a small village nestled in the bucolic rolling hills of the Haßberg county of Lower Franconia, north of the Main river. Only 30 km from Bamberg, a half hour scenic car trip would bring you to the unassuming hamlet. If using public transportation, it’s a more involved affair. The closest towns reachable by train are Zeil am Main and Ebelsbach-Eltmann but even those are a fair hike or cycle. The logistics of how to get there are just your first obstacle. How to visit the Köslauer Rennweg Brauer is the harder part.

the bus stop

the way to Ebelsbach

half-timbered charm

Rennweg Brauer

if you didn’t know it was there

Köslauer Rennweg Brauhaus

Köslau 34
97486 Königsberg in Bayern (Köslau)
Tel: +49 (0) 9536 923 389
Rennweg-Brauer@web.de
www.rennweg-brauer.de

Ebelsbach-Eltmann 14 km/Zeil am Main 10 km

Opening hours:
Not open to the general public without prior arrangement

Output: 5 batches per year

History of the Rennweg Brauer

Founded in 2019, the Rennweg Brauer in Köslau is one of the newer communal breweries in Lower Franconia. With a 35+ member club who are enthusiastic and take their “hobby” seriously, it’s growing in reputation quickly. Housed in an historic old brew house, the Kaspar Schulz brewing system is flawlessly installed in red brick fashion, utilizing the brewery which was in place.

wood fired kettle

brewing kettle

wood-fired brewing kettle & refurbished museum piece brew house

Local friend Jose, who recently became a member, brought me out to see the brew house and sample some beer still in the tank. Head member Oli was friendly and welcoming, explaining how the members brew and distribute the beer amongst themselves. Since it is privately funded, they can sell their beer to the public. Since nearly all the beer is consumed by them, they don’t generally have enough to do it,

right from the tank

old wooden brewing equipment

a lively pour

a rustic brew from the tank & the old brewing vessel

The tank Kellerbier

The tank beer was a lively one with some residual yeast but still nicely balanced with fair hopping. It was a Vollbier of about 6%. Oli explained it was only a few weeks old and wouldn’t be ready for a few more weeks.

Keg kellerbier

So, we adjourned to his house up the street to sample a more mature example of their beers, a lower gravity Kellerbier. This one had the unmistakable taste of Franconia, a walk in a country field in the Krug. It was a pleasant early summer evening and we had a few in his courtyard. His wife joined us, was every nice and it was handy as I was to meet her again at the Döflis Braufest a couple of days later. We gave a donation of about what we’d have paid in a small village pub and it seemed too generous so he gave us some back. They’re not there to make money but running such an operation has considerable costs and though it’s obviously a labor of love, it doesn’t hurt to get some money to pay the bills.

Oli’s Bierbank

the old-fashioned way

Köslauer Rennweg Brauer Bier

Oli’s Bierbank is a nice place for a really local brew

Visiting the Köslauer Rennweg Brauer was one of my top beer experiences of 2023. I’d like to thank Oli for his hospitality and José for not only driving me there but also for introducing me to the communal brewing world of Lower Franconia. I returned for the 3rd Oktoberfest and it was a blast.

Köslauer Rennbockanstich 2025

Though I’d been lucky to sample their Rennbock prior to their first Bockbieranstich, I was happy nonetheless to be able to attend the momentous event. As expected, I met up with quite a few friends as well as meeting a few Beerwanderers fans from Tuscany. It was a real international affair out in the middle of nowhere! The Bock, as expected, had rounded out quite a bit with full malt but ample hopping.