Knärzje GmbH

A CRAZY IDEA

For a long time I was curious to see how successfully the idea of bread beer was already being implemented abroad. And again and again I asked myself why nobody in Germany, the country of beer and bread (!), thinks both things together. Is the Purity Law to blame? But Craft Beer is booming, isn't it? "Then I'll make it stop!

THE SEARCH FOR PARTNERS

One day I thought to myself: "If nobody else does it, then I'll do it myself!" Inspired by the foreign role models and intrinsically motivated to avoid wasting food with creative solutions. And so the search began for partners who could help me implement the idea.

First experiments TRYING IS ABOUT STUDYING

Which smaller, local brewery could be as fond of bread beer as I am? I quickly found what I was looking for. The microbreweries BrauStil & Brewids were not only convinced by the sustainable, but above all creative brewing approach. The first tests could begin: White bread or wholemeal bread? And how much? Let's just try it!

It works! THE PILOT CONVINCES

With time for bread we were able to get a local organic bakery enthusiastic about our pilot, who from then on supplied us with sorted bread for our brewing trials. Finally we went public with a bread beer, brewed with an often surplus mixed bread. The first big taste test was on the agenda! And the feedback was pleasingly good.

Excellent attention KNÄRZJE BECOMES MORE KNOWN

So over the summer of 2018 we brewed a few loads of our "Frankfurter Knärzje" and let Frankfurt's beer lovers and those interested in sustainability try the new creation. Various media got the news, reported about us and finally we were even invited by the Ministry of Nutrition to Berlin for the "Zu gut für die Tonne" federal prize.

From idea to start-up NOW MORE THAN EVER!

On stage at the latest, accepting the Federal Award for Special Commitment on behalf of my association ShoutOutLoud from the Federal Minister of Food, I made the decision: "The Knärzje idea is too good to remain merely a small local project initiated and pursued by volunteers. I want to enable many more people to enjoy Knärzje. Think bigger! Scaling! I have to start a start-up from this!

Versatility & mass suitability OKAY. THEN LET'S GO!

Euphorized, highly motivated and decided I sat down again with Tobi (Brewmaster at Brewids) to design a beer from the "Frankfurter Knärzje", which could also inspire supraregionally. The Knärzje Helles and Pils were born! The bottles got a new look and again we asked for feedback. The result was convincing. And we have been convinced founders ever since!