Museumsbrauerei Schmitt

About the museum

The brewery in Singen goes back to a carters' inn on the old Nuremberg–Erfurt trade route. In the 17th century there was an inn with a forge and a brewhouse; from 1712 it belonged to the municipality. In 1867 the brewer Ernst Heinrich Jacobi took over the business, modernized it in 1875, and in 1885 sold it to master brewer Richard Schmitt.

In the following decades Schmitt systematically expanded the brewery: fermentation and storage cellars were built, along with two ice cellars hewn into the rock. Later came a steam engine, a beer filter, new brewing vessels and a bottling line. The site lies on a sandstone slope; the brewhouse has a natural stone ground floor and a half-timbered upper floor. Two ponds opposite were used for harvesting ice until the 1960s.

The business remained a private family enterprise during the GDR era. Since 1990, master brewer Uwe Obstfelder, of the Schmitt family, has been in charge of the brewing. All equipment for malt processing, wort preparation, fermentation and bottling dates from 1885 to 1930 and is largely still operational; the steam power plant with its transmissions has been in use since 1920. The brewery has been a listed monument since 1976. Brewing continues by hand: on brewing day a 12-hp steam engine drives the stirrers and wort pump, fermentation takes place in wooden vats, and the beer is stored in oak casks.

Highlights

• Listed technical monument with brewing equipment from 1885 to 1930
• 12-hp steam engine that drives the stirrers and pump on brewing day
• Fermentation in wooden vats, storage in oak casks
• Ice cellars hewn into the rock and two ponds used for harvesting ice
• Beer garden between the ponds and the rock face

Permanent exhibition

• Historische Brauerei – Fully operational brewery with brewhouse, steam engine, fermentation and storage cellars, and ice cellars, where beer is still brewed in the old way.

Founded

1700

Operated by

Brauerei Schmitt (Inhaber Uwe Obstfelder)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Singen lies on the B 87 between Ilmenau and Stadtilm. From the village center, follow the signs to the brewery and the parking area.

Amenities & dining

Beer garden between two ponds and a rock; small snacks from the grill on weekends or by advance request.

Events & venue rental

Special arrangements are usually possible after a phone call.

Plan your visit