Hertl Braumanufaktur – Franconia's Smallest and „Coolest" Brewery

Hertl Braumanufaktur from Thüngfeld in Upper Franconia (part of Schlüsselfeld) is one of the most idiosyncratic and creative breweries in Germany – built on just 80 square meters of production floor. Self-mockingly known as „the smallest & coolest brewery in Franconia" (die kleinste & geilste Brauerei Frankens), the family business founded in 2012 by brewmaster David Hertl burns for two things at once: deep-rooted Franconian beer culture and unbridled joy in experimentation.

The story behind the brewery is remarkable. David Hertl knew already at age 15 that he wanted to be a brewer – followed by a year-long internship at seven different breweries, then an apprenticeship at Düll in Krautheim, before earning his Braumeister title and further training as both beer and wine sommelier. By 19, he was Bavaria's youngest certified beer sommelier. In 2012, he built his own brewery largely by himself inside the former pigsty on his parents' farm in Thüngfeld. What started with just 800 litres of annual output has grown into an established operation with around 200 hectoliters per year and up to 44 different beer creations annually. More recently, David Hertl has also taken over the Brauerei Eichhorn from Forchheim and the brewery site of Brauerei Friedel in Schnaid.

The label concept is equally charming: every family member gets their own beer. The Kellerbier is called „Opa's Liebling" (Grandpa's Favourite), the Helles is „Mutti's Sonnenschein" (Mum's Sunshine), the wheat beer „Papa's Weißheit" (Dad's Wheat-Wisdom), and the bockbier „Oma's Betthupferl" (Granny's Bedtime Treat). Alongside this Franconian core range, the brewery produces dozens of extraordinary craft creations each year – „Frankonia Straight Whisky Doppelbock", „Imperial Motoröl" (Motor Oil), „Gurken Gose" (Cucumber Gose), „Blaue Hochzeit" (Blueberry Strong Ale, 8.2%) or the barleywine-style „Burton Ale 1852" (11%). The manufaktur also produces its own spirits: Hopfen-Gin (hop gin) and Braumeister-Rum.

Key facts at a glance

• Location: Thüngfeld 61, 96132 Schlüsselfeld (Upper Franconia, Bavaria)
• Founded: 2012 by David Hertl in the former pigsty of the family farm
• Brewery: around 80 sqm of production space – Franconia's smallest brewery
• Team: family-run – David & Bernd Hertl plus one apprentice; supported by mother Veronika and brothers Daniel & Johannes
• Annual output: approx. 200 hl / up to 44 different beer creations per year
• David Hertl's background: Bavaria's youngest beer sommelier (at 19), Braumeister & wine sommelier; internships at seven breweries before his apprenticeship at Düll in Krautheim
• Additional operations: takeover of Brauerei Eichhorn (Forchheim) and the brewery site of Brauerei Friedel (Schnaid)
• Additional range: in-house spirits (Hopfen-Gin, Braumeister-Rum) and brewery seminars for small groups
• Self-description: „the smallest & coolest brewery in Franconia"

The range at a glance

• Franconian core range („the Hertl family") – „Opa's Liebling" (Kellerbier, 4.9%), „Mutti's Sonnenschein" (Helles, 4.9%), „Papa's Weißheit" (Weißbier), „Oma's Betthupferl" (Bock), „Schwiegervaters Stolz" (Rauchbier), „Imp*stoff Dunkel" (5.1%)
• Whisky & barrel-aged strong beers – „Frankonia Straight Whisky Doppelbock", „Bourbon King", „Burton Ale 1852" (11%); the heart of the brewery's craft creations
• Extreme sours & gose – „Gurken Gose" (cucumber gose), „Friede Freude Quitten-Gose" (quince gose), „Maracuja Felix" (sour ale)
• IPAs & imperial styles – New England IPAs, „Herr Hertl Mania Rauch IPA", „Blaue Hochzeit" (Blueberry Strong Ale, 8.2%), „Imperial Motoröl"
• Seasonal editions – Pumpkin Ale in autumn, Imperial Stout in winter, rotating IPAs, and unusual collaborations

Hertl Braumanufaktur embodies a distinctly Franconian take on craft beer: rooted in tradition, but with a boundless sense for the experimental brew. David Hertl's creations have built a following that reaches far beyond Franconia – if you're after unusual, honestly handcrafted beer, Thüngfeld is a place you can't ignore. In our shop, you'll find a curated selection of the latest Hertl releases – fresh from Upper Franconia and in modest quantities.