Has been brewing in fifth generation since 1886 over 40 Appenzeller beer specialties, Single Malt Whisky and foods made from brewery by-products.
Brauerei Locher AG
Appenzell (CH) · Worb (CH)New on Amplifa
About Brauerei Locher
Brauerei Locher AG, based in Appenzell, is a Swiss family brewery that has been run in the fifth generation since 1886. The range includes over 45 beer varieties and beer-based mixed drinks, including the well-known Quöllfrisch brand, organic beers, sour beers, non-alcoholic variants and the gluten-free rice beer Birra da Ris. The basis is Quöllfrisch water, barley malt, hops and yeast; since 1996 brewing barley has been grown again in Switzerland, in partnership with mountain farmers at altitudes of 1200–1700 m. Since 1999, the in-house Säntis Malt distillery has produced Single Malt Whisky, which matures in beer wooden barrels up to 130 years old. In the spirit of the circular economy, balsamic beer vinegars (CréaCeto) are made from brewery side streams, and under the brewbee brand foods such as Tschipps, pizzas, muesli, lasagne, ravioli and plant-based products are produced, available at Coop since 2022. Around 200 employees work at the main site in Appenzell; the Brauquöll visitor centre shows the brewing process live in the brewhouse.
- Site
- Appenzell, Switzerland
- Processes
- Beer brewing (over 45 beer varieties and beer-based mixed drinks, including lager beers, sour, Single Malt Whisky distillation (Säntis Malt) and refining of liqueurs, Production of balsamic beer vinegar (CréaCeto Essig-Fabrikatur), Food upcycling: production of foods from brewery by-products (Tschipps, pizzas, muesli,, Beer production (over 45 beer specialties), Whisky distillation (Säntis Malt Single Malt), Food upcycling (brewbee: Tschipps, pizzas, muesli, lasagne, ravioli, plant-based), Beer vinegar production (CréaCeto Essig-Fabrikatur)
- Materials
- Brewing barley, Barley malt, Wheat malt, Hops, Yeast, Rice (Maggia Delta, Ticino), Honey, Hemp blossom
- Certificates
- Bio Suisse Bud label (product 'Appenzeller Naturperle', first Swiss, Bio Suisse Bud label
- Founded
- 1886
- Employees
- ca. 200
- Industries
- Brewing industry, Spirits, Food/Snacks
- 01
Cultivation/procurement of brewing barley (mountain farmers, 1200–1700 m)
- 02
Malting (barley and wheat malt)
- 03
Brewhouse: brewing process
- 04
Fermentation and storage
- 05
Filling/bottling
- 06
Distillation (Säntis Malt)
- 07
By-product utilization (vinegar, brewbee)
- 08
Distribution across Switzerland and export
Ingredients & Raw Materials
Brewing barley
Organically grown since 1996 in partnership with mountain farmers at altitudes of 1200–1700 m.
Barley malt
Foundation of the brewing process for most beer specialties.
Wheat malt
Basis for the wheat beers in the range.
Hops
Basic raw material for bitterness and aroma of the beers.
Yeast
Driving force of fermentation in beer and craft beverages.
Rice (Maggia Delta, Ticino)
Basis of the gluten-free rice beer Birra da Ris.
Spent grain
Brewery by-product, processed into Tschipps and brewbee foods.
Honey
Raw material for the Honey Beer.
Hemp blossom
Raw material for the beer Hanfblüte Naturtrüb.
Sites
Appenzell
CHMain site: brewery, Säntis Malt distillery, brewbee food production, Brauquöll visitor centre
- Materials
- Barley malt, wheat malt, hops, yeast, rice, spent grain
- Brewhouse
- Biogas plant
- Photovoltaic system
Worb
CHSite of the affiliate Albert Egger AG, new building planned from 2026
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beer brewing (over 45 beer varieties and beer-based mixed drinks, including lager beers, sourCasting | – | – | – | – | Barley malt, Brewing barley, Hops, Yeast, Water, Wheat malt, Rice, Honey, Hemp |
| Single Malt Whisky distillation (Säntis Malt) and refining of liqueursCasting | – | – | – | – | Grain from Swiss mountain regions, Spring water from the Alpstein, Oak wood (beer barrels) |
| Production of balsamic beer vinegar (CréaCeto Essig-Fabrikatur)Casting | – | – | – | – | Beer, Passion fruit, Mango, Herbs & malt, Smoke malt, Apple, Pear |
| Food upcycling: production of foods from brewery by-products (Tschipps, pizzas, muesli,Casting | – | – | – | – | Spent grain, Sunflower oil |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewhouse (brewing process, visible at the visitor centre) | – | – | – | – | Brauereiplatz, Appenzell |
| Biogas plant | – | – | – | – | Appenzell |
| Photovoltaic system | – | – | – | – | Appenzell |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality & Sustainability
The beers are made from pure natural products; the Appenzeller Naturperle was the first Swiss beer with the Bio Suisse Bud label. Resource-conserving production with biogas plant, photovoltaics and complete utilization of side streams.
| Evidence | Appenzell |
|---|---|
| Bio Suisse Bud label |
History
- 1886
Johann Christof Locher takes over the brewery in Appenzell
- 1996
Return of brewing barley cultivation to Switzerland, partnership with mountain farmers (1200–1700 m)
- 1999
Foundation of the Säntis Malt distillery after the lifting of the distillation ban
- 2005
New, modern brewing facility at the edge of Appenzell
- 2011
Opening of the Brauquöll Appenzell visitor centre
- 2018
Increased resource-conserving production, spent grain utilization (Tschipps)
- 2019
Acquisition of the Jakober AG wood-fired bakery, Appenzell
- 2021
Launch of the food upcycling brand brewbee
- 2022
Expansion of the visitor centre; brewbee products at Coop; first Swiss whisky with NFC tag
- 2023
Introduction of the Locher Craft Beers
- 2024
Quöllfrisch alcohol-free launched; acquisition of majority shareholding in Chopfab Boxer AG; stake in Albert Egger AG and land purchase in Worb
- 2025
Launch of HOI – naturally brewed