Sonnenbräu AG

About Sonnenbräu

The Sonnenbräu AG is an independent private brewery and distillery in Rebstein in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley. Founded in 1891, the family-owned company produces just over 3 million liters of beer annually and distributes a range of around 20 beer varieties, with a focus on specialty beers such as Bock beer, corn beer and Rheinperle Pils. Under the Swisslander label, the brewery also produces its own spirits, including whisky made from Rhine Valley Ribel corn and brewing barley, beer liqueurs and beer brandy. The water comes from a spring in Rebstein and from the Rhine floodplains and is treated for food production. Sonnenbräu supplies retail and gastronomy and offers an event service for occasions. Of more than 30 small breweries between Lake Constance and the Sarganserland region, it is the only one that has survived to this day as an independent mid-sized family business in its fifth generation.

Site

Rebstein

Processes

Event Service, Retail & Gastronomy Supply, Sales Outlets, Advertising & Promotional Items, Own Spirits Production (Swisslander Whisky, Liqueurs), Leased Properties

Founded

1891

Industries

Brewery, Spirits/Distillery, Beverage Retail, Gastronomy

1. 01

   Water treatment

2. 02

   Brewing

3. 03

   Fermentation and maturation

4. 04

   Bottling

5. 05

   Distillation (spirits)

6. 06

   Barrel storage

7. 07

   Distribution to retail and gastronomy

Location

Product Range

Inside the production

Company History

1. 1890

   Eduard Graf acquires the inn «zur Sonne» on the Alte Landstrasse in Rebstein.

2. 1891

   Founding of the Sonnenbräu brewery by Eduard Graf on 30 May 1891.

3. 1918

   After the death of Eduard Graf, his widow Annette Graf-Friedauer and sons Walter and Arnold take over the business; conversion into a joint-stock corporation.

4. 1968

   First time beer is bottled in 6-pack one-way packaging.

5. 1978

   First light beer in Switzerland; Arnold Graf joins the board of directors.

6. 1981

   Pilsner beer «Rheinperle» comes onto the market.

7. 1991

   100th anniversary; introduction of Rheintaler corn beer, the first beer with the Culinarium label.

8. 1999

   Arnold Graf begins whisky experiments after the repeal of the whisky ban in Switzerland.

9. 2002

   Arnold Graf becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors.

10. 2003

    First release of Ribel whisky made from Rhine Valley Ribel corn and brewing barley.

11. 2008

    Launch of the specialty beer «Herzblut» for the European Football Championship.

12. 2010

    Swisslander whisky comes onto the market.

13. 2011

    Start of distillation of beer liqueur (1891 Bier Likör).

14. 2012

    Claudia Keel takes over management; investment of around 2 million Swiss francs in a new bottle washing machine and filler.

15. 2013

    Swisslander beer brandy is produced; despite declining Swiss beer production, Sonnenbräu increases its production.