Bitburger goes USA
Three Bitburger brewers, 7,000 kilometers, one goal: Jan Niewodniczanski, Stefan Meyna and Stefan Hanke traveled to Mills River in North Carolina to meet their brewing friends from Sierra Nevada and to serve – for the first time ever – their jointly brewed festbier at the annual Springtoberfest. Cheers!
Cheers
One last beer before the long flight to Asheville: The prospect of twelve hours of traveling makes you thirsty. Cheers ;-)
The Hazy-Van is Coming
Picked up at the airport in style by the cult Sierra Nevada Hazy Van – and a cool Bitburger Premium Pils.
Impressive: The Sierra Nevada Brewery in North Carolina
Built in 2015 and lovingly called "Malt Disney" by its fans, it's a true paradise for beer lovers.
On the Trail of a Hoppy Taste
The best raw materials, decades of experience and a lot of brewing creativity – such as storage in wooden barrels – inspire the Bitburger brewmasters on their tour of the Sierra Nevada Brewery.
Brewing Kettles Made in Germany
Nice to know: Founder Ken Grossmann acquired the copper brewing kettles in Germany. A number of details inscribed with German terms can still be discovered today.
Brewing Experts among Themselves
Sierra Nevada discussing brewing tradition and their passion for beer. A tasting in the brewery's own taproom is a must.
From Pale Ale to Lager – Beers of all Kinds
What makes the Sierra Nevada beers so special are the varied hops aromas. A special experience for the palates of the Bitburger brewers that have been spoiled by our Pils.
Finally: Our Festbier!
The Bitburger and Sierra Nevada brewers share a first taste of their festbier before it's presented to the Springtoberfest visitors the next day.
Barrel Tapping – O'zapft Is!
Jan Niewodniczanski tapped the first barrel of the jointly brewed festbier with a determined blow – and the Springtoberfest could begin!
A Piece of German Culture in North Carolina
It wasn't just our festbier that brought a touch of Germany to the USA. The Springtoberfest guests’ culinary needs were well catered for with pretzels, sauerkraut and bratwurst.
Friends Will Be Friends
Brewing together, celebrating together: The brewers from Bitburger and Sierra Nevada raise a glass of their festbier, together with a lot of enthusiastic visitors.
The Best Is Yet to Come
Our festbier was just the beginning of a wonderful brewing friendship. The best is yet to come. So...stay tuned ;-)