Culture Town Freistadt
Beer culture in Upper Austria
Freistadt has been associated with beer for centuries. Since the founding of the brewing commune in Freistadt it has always been independent. This way the commune could decide for itself who is allowed to brew beer here.
The Freistadt residents were given the right to brew and serve their own beer already in 1363. The only condition was that the brewery had to be located within the town walls. The right, which was given by Duke Rudolph IV, can still be read on the original document.
Europe’s only brewing commune in Freistadt
The foundation of a new brewery was laid in 1770 and after 10 years it was finished on the grounds of the town clerk’s gardens. The Freistadt residents with the right to brew got together to found the “Freistadt Brewing Commune”. The legal form of a "commune" is still registered in the Commercial Register today and as such it is also last of its kind in Europe.
Every house, which has the right to brew beer, is allowed to brew 15 buckets (former measure: bucket=ca. 56 litre) of beer and buy additional supplies of 140 buckets per house.
Because of the national exhibition in 2013 the brewery is currently under construction and there are unfortunately no tours offered at the moment. Nevertheless you should not miss out on the beer during your stay in Mühlviertler Kernland. We gladly respond to your no obligation holiday enquiry.
