When German Brewing Tradition Meets Swedish Creativity

Some collaborations are born from shared curiosity. Others from long-standing admiration. The story of KNÄCKEBROT PILSNER begins with both.

Swedish craft brewery Omnipollo has built an international reputation for challenging expectations of what beer can be. Bitburger, meanwhile, has spent more than a century perfecting the art of German pilsner brewing. When these two worlds met, the result was a collaboration that blends heritage, creativity, and a healthy dose of curiosity.

How the Story Began

The idea first took shape during a visit to Bitburg by Omnipollo founder Henok Fentie. Inspired by the brewery’s dedication to quality and tradition, he later invited the Bitburger team to Stockholm. It didn’t take long for the two breweries to realize they shared the same passion for great beer. Soon after, the plan to brew something together became reality.

A Bold Creation

The result of this collaboration is KNÄCKEBROT, a German-style pilsner with an unexpected twist. Alongside German pilsner malt, the recipe includes 20 percent wood-fired Swedish crispbread from Skedvi Bröd near Borlänge. The beer was brewed at Omnipollo’s brewery in an old church just outside Stockholm using the traditional decoction mashing method, which enhances aroma and flavor. Cold fermentation and Bitburger’s signature blend of German hop varieties complete the process.

On Curiosity and Collaboration

“For me personally, this collaboration is the culmination of over 20 years of admiration for Bitburger […],” says Henok Fentie with pride, and continues, “As a brewer, I’ve always been drawn to Bitburger’s heritage and their unwavering dedication to quality. It was fantastic to collaborate with them.”

Dr. Stefan Meyna, Head Brewer at Bitburger, agrees. “As a brewery rooted in centuries of German tradition, we take pride in quality and craftsmanship. Bringing that together with their [Omnipollo’s] spirit of innovation and bold creativity infused the brewing process of KNÄCKEBROT PILSNER with fresh energy and a touch of magic. You can taste that dedication and emotion in every sip of this unique brew.”

Produced in limited quantities, KNÄCKEBROT PILSNER is meant to spark curiosity. A clean, classic pilsner profile meets the subtle character of Swedish crispbread, creating an exceptional beer to savor until the very last sip – and beyond.