Brauerei Hummel Merkendorf – Franconian Beer Culture for Nearly 500 Years

Brauerei Hummel in Merkendorf, Upper Franconia (part of Memmelsdorf, near Bamberg), is one of the oldest and most tradition-rich family breweries in Bavaria. First documented in 1556, the brewery looks back on almost 470 years of brewing history and has been family-owned since 1846 – now in the fifth generation. Today, Julius Hummel leads the operation with around 48 employees and an annual output of roughly 9,000 hectoliters.

The heart of Merkendorf lies in what Franconian beer is all about: uncompromising craftsmanship, regional ingredients, and deep respect for tradition. Brewing follows the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot – with Hallertau hops, Bamberg malt from regional barley and wheat, and crystal-clear brewing water from the brewery's own deep well. Yeast-cloudy varieties remain unfiltered, keeping their rustic character; clearer brews pass through gentle kieselguhr filtration. The brewery also runs its own traditional Franconian tavern and beer garden, where the beers are poured fresh from the tap and pair with Brotzeit classics – homemade liver sausage, Sülze, and the famous Hummel meat skewers.

Brauerei Hummel is especially known for its Rauchbier portfolio: the year-round „Räucherla" has become a genuine classic across the Bamberg region – a rustic, dark smoked beer with a loyal following. In the colder months, it is joined by the „Räucherator" Doppelbock, one of the most intense smoked beer interpretations in Franconia. Altogether, the range spans 18 different beer specialties – from the crisp Pils through the ungespundetes Kellerbier to seasonal bocks and festival beers.

Key facts at a glance

• Location: Lindenstraße 9, 96117 Memmelsdorf-Merkendorf (Upper Franconia, Bavaria) – near Bamberg
• Founded: first documented in 1556 – nearly 470 years of brewing history
• Family ownership: with the Hummel family since 1846, currently in the 5th generation
• Leadership: Julius Hummel
• Employees: approx. 48
• Annual output: around 9,000 hectoliters
• Ingredients: Hallertau hops, Bamberg malt from regional barley and wheat, own brewing water from a deep well
• Reinheitsgebot: strictly upheld throughout the brewery's history
• Signature beer: „Räucherla" – a rustic, dark smoked beer with a devoted following
• Brewery tavern: on-site inn with beer garden and traditional Franconian cuisine

The range at a glance

• Franconian classics (year-round) – Pils, unspunded Kellerbier, hearty Märzen, „Cowboy" Schwarzbier
• Smoked beers – the year-round „Räucherla", the „1162" Rauchfestbier, and the seasonal „Räucherator" Doppelbock
• Weißbier family – hell Hefeweißbier, dunkel Hefeweißbier, and a light Weißbier
• Seasonal bock beers – Heller Maibock, Dunkler Bock, Heller Leonhardibock, and a smooth Weizenbock
• Festival & Zwickel editions – Festbier hell, Festbier dunkel, Zwickelbier, Weihnachtsfestbier, and the Hummel Spezial

Brauerei Hummel Merkendorf embodies what makes Franconia the beer-densest region in the world: grown tradition, honest craft, and beers that don't have to prove anything to anyone because they've simply worked for centuries. In our shop, you'll find a curated selection of the current Hummel varieties – fresh from the Bamberg region and in the trusted Merkendorf quality.