More than 200 Years of Brewing Tradition
The steps of a success story
From the former land brewery to one of the most important private breweries in Germany - come with us on a journey through time and find out which special events, developments and decisions have shaped the success story of our family company.
The Start of a Success Story
Johann Peter Wallenborn opens a small rural brewery in the town of Bitburg in 1817.
Ludwig Bertrand Simon Takes Over
Ludwig Bertrand Simon marries Elisath Wallenborn, the daugther of Johann Peter Wallenborn, and takes over the brewery.
Annual Output Exceed 1,000 Hectoliters
1877, the annual output is exceeding 1,000 hectoliters for the first time.
Bottled Beer Opens Up New Sales Channels
In 1880, the Bitburger beer was bottled for the first time. The bottles, closed with a cork, open up new sales channels.
First Pilsner-Style Brew
On January 15, 1883, Theobald Simon, grandson of Johann Peter Wallenborn, brewed his first pilsner, a type of beer that was invented in 1842 and named after the Bohemian city of Pilsen.
First Beer Export
In 1886, the first beer export going by horse-drawn cart to Echternach in Luxembourg.
10,000 Hectoliters of Annual Output
The brewery's annual output increases to 10,000 hectoliters.
First Ammonia Refrigeration System
In 1896, the brewery purchased a second steam engine to meet the increasing energy requirements. This also enables the introduction and operation of the first ammonia refrigeration system.
First Big Advertising Campaign
On February 8th, Bitburger produces its ‘Simonbräu German Pilsner‘ for the first time. With this new product, the brewery launches its first large-scale advertising campaign.
more arrow_drop_downIn addition to adverts in national newspapers, beer mats are a big medium for advertising the brand and product.
Launch of Bitburger Simonbräu Pilsener
On February 8, 1909, Bitburger produced the first brew of the Bitburger Simonbräu Pilsener. To coincide with the introduction of the new product, Theobald Simon launched the brewery’s first large-scale advertising campaign.
more arrow_drop_downThis was the start of a unified brand identity.
Railways Come to Bitburg
After Bitburg was connected to the rail network, the brewery bought insulated rail carriages for transporting beer to ensure beer kept its quality even over long distances.
Pilsner Pioneers in Germany
The “Pilsen judgment” decides: The Bitburger brewery can continue to call their beer “Simonbräu-Deutsch-Pilsener” (Simonbräu German Pilsner). The denomination of origin “Pilsener” becomes a variety denomination.
more arrow_drop_downThis put an end to two years of legal battles with breweries in Pilsen (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) over the use of the designation of origin, Bitburger could finally sell their beer using the terms ‘Pilsner’ and ‘Pils’.
Own Brewery Laboratory
The first company laboratory is set up to guarantee consistently high quality.
First Sponsorship
At the opening of the Nürburgring, Bitburger is active for the first time as a sports sponsor and serves Bitburger Pils.
The Bitburger „Connoisseur“
In 1929, the "connoisseur" developed by graphic artist G. H. Heimig entered the advertising stage and is a guarantee of the highest quality.
Gold Medal for the Bitburger Pils
Bitburger receives the golden medal at the World Exhibition in Paris. The Bitburger beer fountain is inaugurated in the same year.
Beer Output Increases to over 100,000 Hectoliters
From the mid-1930s, the brewery saw enormous demand for Bitburger Pils. The sales mark exceeds 100,000 hectoliters for the first time.
War and Destruction
Around the end of the Second World War, the town of Bitburg and the Bitburger brewery was almost completely destroyed.
more arrow_drop_downThe brewing facilities are all destroyed, leaving nearly all wooden barrels completly unusable. Reconstruction begins immediately after the end of the war.
Finally Real Bitburger Again
For the first time after the second world war, the brewery is able to brew beer properly again. Production increases to 55,000 hectolitres.
New Markets
The first post-war exports are shipped to Luxembourg and French-administered Saar region in 1950, then the following year to Brussels and Haiti as well!
‘Bitte ein Bit‘
At the most important trade fair of the food industry (ANUGA in Cologne), Bitburger reveals its new advertising slogan ‘Bitte ein Bit‘ (‘One Bit, please‘), one of the best-known advertising slogans in the German brewing industry.
more arrow_drop_downThe sound of the German phrase catches on quickly, and Dr. Theobald Simon used his own handwriting for the slogan logo to give the lettering a distinctive character.
In the same year, more hygenic bottle caps started to replace the traditional swing top.
Bitburger on TV
Bitburger creates its first adverts for TV and the cinema.
A New Brewhouse Is Built
In 1958, the construction of a new brewhouse became necessary, which went into full operation in March of the following year.
New Highlights with the Bit Glass
The ‘Bit-Pokal‘ (Bitburger glass) is created, which was the first speciality glassware of the brewing industry for gastronomy. The glass features a well-proportioned cup shape with a hexagonal stem, complementing the unique character of Bitburger Pils.
Bitburger Pils Becomes a Single Brand
The brewery reduces the range of varieties and concentrates to one brand: Bitburger Pils.
A Million Hectoliters
Annual production reaches one million hectolitres. The foundation stone for a new brewery is laid in the South of Bitburg.
First Brew in the New Brewhouse
Bitburger starts brewing operations in the south of Bitburg.
Taking the Lead
The new Bit-Premium-module crate with extra large advertising space is launched. Bitburger produces more than 2.38 million hectolitres of beer in a single year, making it one of the most important beer brands in Germany.
The Experimental Brewery Sets Standards
The new experimental brewery, known as Craftwerk Brewing since 2013, goes into operation and Bitburger is Germany's largest beer brand.
more arrow_drop_downThis small-scale brewing facility develops new styles of beer, tests malt from new varieties of barley, and breeds new strains of hops – as well as constantly striving to improve brewing methods and processes. It serves as an important part of our comprehensive quality management efforts.
The brewery distributes its products to more than 30 countries, including Finland and Australia.
Takeover of the Köstritzer Black Beer Brewery
In 1991 the brewery acquired the Köstritzer Schwarzbierbrauerei in Bad Köstritz, Thuringia (East of Germany).
Launch of Drive and Light
The new varieties Bitburger Drive Non-Alcoholic and Bitburger Light are launched.
more arrow_drop_downIn the same year, Bitburger first appeared as a partner of the DFB (German Football Association) and became Germany's number one draft beer brand. Still to today, there is no other draft beer that is poured in German bars more often.
Revision of the Outdoor Advertising
With a new outdoor advertising Bitburger creates a uniform appearance in the gastronomy. In the same year, the brewery supported the Benetton Formula 1 team with Michael Schumacher.
Relocation of Production Completed
The relocation of production to the south of Bitburg has been completed. The brewing operation in the north of the town comes to an end after 180 years.
Acquisition of König Brewery and Licher Private Brewery
Bitburger acquires the König brewery and the Licher private brewery. The company also introduces the new premium crate.
A Growing Family of Products
Bitburger Radler is introduced: a beer-based mixed drink made with Bitburger Premium Pils and sparkling lemonade. Produced without any artificial additives, our Radler is an incomparable, sparkling-fresh beverage that’s not too sweet.
Strong Brands in a Network
Since the beginning of 2007 the traditional brands have been operating under the umbrella of Bitburger Braugruppe GmbH.
more arrow_drop_down100% flavour, 0.0% alcohol: Bitburger 0.0% Drive Alcohol-free is launched. One of the only beers in Germany, that is actually 0.0% alcohol whilst still boasting a great pilsner taste.
Bitburger Brand Experience World Opens
The Bitburger brand experience world opens. Here, visitors can find out everything worth knowing about the Bitburger brand and the brewery.
Distribution Rights for Benediktiner Weissbier
The Bitburger brewing group takes over the distribution rights for Benediktiner Weissbier (wheat beer) on behalf of Benediktiner Weißbräu GmbH.
Revision of the Bitburger Label
Bitburger introduces a further developed label design for all products.
"Best Beer in Terms of the Best, Unique Taste"
Step by step: Bitburger stages the new Bitburger outdoor advertising, starting in Germany, in the brand colors gold and white to underline the quality of the Bitburger brand.
200 Years of Bitburger
Bitburger celebrates its 200th birthday.
more arrow_drop_downFounded back in 1817, the Bitburger Brewery is now one of the most important privately owned breweries in Germany. Our core values have always remained the same though: care, love and passion for brewing. These values support our consistently high quality standards.
Revision of the Bitburger Packaging
Bitburger introduces a further developed packaging design for all products and launches Bitburger Radler naturtrüb in the US the following year.
Collaboration with Sierra Nevada
Making beer, making friends: The shared passion of brewing beer of the best flavor and highest quality has forged a natural partnership between the Bitburger Brewery and the Sierra Nevada Brewery.
