Schmitt-Bräu has resumed in Schesslitz to resounding success.
Oberend 1
96110 Scheßlitz
Tel: 09542563
www.schmitt-braeu.de
Output: ?
Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday & Friday from 17:00
Sunday & holidays 10:00 to 14:00 & from 17:00
Closed Thursday and evidently Saturday according to he above
History & reinvention
Founded in 1847, Schmitt Bräu stopped brewing in 2001, two years before I visited Scheßlitz for the first time. It reopened with contract beer, most recently from Günther-Bräu in Burgunstadt. As of 2024, it is an operating brewery with two of their tap beers produced onsite and the others still contracted.
new brewing equipment in courtyard
The interior was nicely renovated in a traditional style with a few modern flourishes and imagine it’s quite cozy on a cold day but everyone was sitting outside as it was anything but.
a nicely done renovation in a traditional style
The beers
The courtyard seating was less atmospheric but due to the configuration of the building was largely shady. Most locals seemed to be sitting under an overhang. I started off with their self-brewed Helles as I’d had the contract version of it in Bamberg a week earlier and wanted to confirm it. It was indeed a different beer, being unfiltered for starters.
Schmitt-Bräu Helles in Hof
It seemed quite a few locals were drinking the Urstoff so I asked if they brewed it onsite and was told it was done for them at Günther-Bräu in Burgunstadt. I got one nonetheless and ordered the Braumeister Schnitzel, which was enormous and excellent. It came with a ton of Bratkartoffeln and actually took some of the Schnitzel home. I finished up with their home brewed Keller Pills.
a fine meal at Schmitt-Bräu
The server was quite good, working a fair amount of dining customers. She was friendly and pretty efficient. The meal was worth the trip to Scheßlitz in itself. The beer was serviceable if unspectacular. I liked the Keller Pils more than the Helles but think sadly think I would session on the Urstoff over the other two. I’d return and if looking for a meal outside of Bamberg, it’s a worthwhile excursion. I’m not sure I’d travel that far just for the beer but it’s a cozy pub in the right weather and there are plenty of trails in the vicinity if you like hiking.
The return for Kreisla 36 Bernstain Lager
Kreisla 36 Bernstain Lager was brewed by Schmitt-Bräu in collaboration with Brauerei Krug of Geisfeld and Brandholz Bräu in Melkendorf. These were all defunct breweries which have made a comeback of sorts. With Schmitt-Bräu serving it on tap, I made my way back for a hot weekend lunch. The Roulade was worth the walk in itself and three of the new beers sure didn’t hurt.
an incredible lunch will have me returning more often
Beers on tap: Schmitt-Bräu Helles, Schmitt-Bräu Keller Pils (both brewed on the premises), Schmitt-Bräu Urstoff, Schmitt-Bräu Edel-Pils (both brewed for them according to their recipe by Günther-Bräu). Bottled Schmitt-Bräu Hausbier (Günther-Bräu), Günther-Bräu Hefeweizen.
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