Family-run private brewery in Freiburg with more than 15 beer specialties brewed since 1865 with regional raw materials.
Brauerei GANTER GmbH & Co. KG
Freiburg im BreisgauNew on Amplifa
About Brauerei GANTER
Brauerei GANTER GmbH & Co. KG is a family-run private brewery founded in 1865 by Ludwig “Louis” Ganter in Freiburg im Breisgau. Around 15 beers are produced at the main location in Freiburg Oberau, in classic and specialty lines, as well as the Freiburg line, including Pilsner, Export, Wheat Beers, Pale Lagers, and Bock Beers. Brewing is done with clear Black Forest water, regional wheat malt, and house yeast, using both bottom and top fermentation. The maximum brewing capacity is about 100,000 hl per year; the actual output in 2023 was 80,000 hl, predominantly in barrels for the gastronomy sector, with around 10,000 hl in bottles. Value creation includes a yeast and storage cellar operated since 2011, a keg filling plant (20, 30, and 50 L), and an energy-efficient bottle filling plant operated in the historic yeast cellar since 2016, which also allows for smaller batches. The brewery supplies around 500 restaurants and offers beverage logistics, brewery tours, and restaurant leasing. Since 2023, 100% green electricity is used.
- Site
- Freiburg
- Processes
- Brewing beer (bottom and top fermentation), Bottle filling, Keg filling, Beverage logistics / Supply to gastronomy, hotel industry, trade, Beverage Logistics, Brewery Tours, Leasing/Restaurant Leasing, Online Shop
- Materials
- Black Forest Water (Brewing Water), Wheat Malt, House Yeast
- Certificates
- Organic Certificate (EU Eco Regulation 2018/848), AWS International Water Stewardship Standard (Initial Certification, Audit June, EU Eco Regulation 2018/848 (Organic Certificate), AWS International Water Stewardship Standard (Initial Certification)
- Founded
- 1865
- Industries
- Brewery/Beverage Industry, Gastronomy, Hotel Industry, Trade
- 01
Supplying brewing water, malt, and yeast
- 02
Brewing bottom/top fermented
- 03
Yeast and storage cellar
- 04
Keg filling (20/30/50 L)
- 05
Bottle filling
- 06
Beverage logistics to gastronomy, hotel industry, trade
- 07
Online shop
Ingredients and Operating Supplies
Black Forest Water (Brewing Water)
Clear brewing water directly from the region as the basis for all GANTER beers.
Wheat Malt
Regional wheat malt, especially for the wheat specialties.
House Yeast
Own yeast culture, among other things the basis of the Wheat Yeast Pale.
Locations
Freiburg im Breisgau
DEMain Plant/Brewery
- Lot size
- Large batches and smaller batches for specialties (flexible filling plant)
- Materials
- Black Forest water, regional wheat malt, house yeast
- Bottle filling plant (historic yeast cellar, 2016)
- Yeast and storage cellar (2011)
- Keg filling
- Steam boiler
- Heat pump
Beer Specialties
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewing beer (bottom and top fermentation)Miscellaneous (Brewing) | – | – | – | smaller batches (flexibility of the | Water (Black Forest water), Wheat malt, House yeast, regional raw materials |
| Bottle fillingMiscellaneous (Filling) | – | – | – | – | Beer, Glass bottles |
| Keg fillingMiscellaneous (Filling) | – | – | – | – | Beer, Kegs (20 L, 30 L, 50 L) |
| Beverage logistics / Supply to gastronomy, hotel industry, tradeMiscellaneous (Logistics) | – | – | – | – | – |
5 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottle filling plant | – | 1 | – | 2016 | Freiburg, historic yeast cellar |
| Steam boiler | – | 1 | – | – | Freiburg |
| Heat pump | – | 1 | – | – | Freiburg |
| Yeast and storage cellar | – | – | – | 2011 | Freiburg |
| Brewing capacity | – | – | max. 100.000 hl/Year | – | Freiburg |
Additional services
Quality and Certifications
The bottle filling plant fills gently without oxygen contact, ensuring high hygiene standards. The beers are regularly awarded by the DLG; in 2025, the brewery received the Federal Award.
| Evidence | Freiburg im Breisgau |
|---|---|
| EU Eco Regulation 2018/848 (Organic Certificate) | |
| AWS International Water Stewardship Standard (Initial Certification) |
History
- 1865
Founding by Ludwig “Louis” Ganter in Haus Zum Kindlein Jesu in Freiburg
- 1877
Acquisition of the site of the Alte Ölmühle in Freiburg Oberau; production according to modern technical standards
- 1883
Acquisition of a cooling machine; year-round brewing possible
- 1922
Founding of the OGA for non-alcoholic beverages and liqueurs
- 1944
Destruction of the main house (27.11.) and damage to the brewery facilities (2.12.) due to air raids; production continues thanks to own power supply
- 1970–1980
Expansion of the brewing site with large yeast and storage cellars and larger bottle filling
- 1979
Acquisition of Löwenbrauerei Freiburg
- 2002
Opening of the brewery pub at Freiburger Münsterplatz 18–20
- 2010
Start of modernization; capacity reduction, approx. 50% energy saving
- 2011
New yeast and storage cellar and new keg filling commissioned
- 2016
Commissioning of the new bottle filling plant in the historic yeast cellar
- 2021
Sale of one-third of the brewery property; sales halved to 9 million € (Corona pandemic)
- 2023
Switch to 100% green electricity; beer output 80,000 hl
- 2025
160th anniversary; Federal Award, eight DLG Gold Medals, Innovation Award of the City of Freiburg