Köstritzer
The Köstritzer brewery, founded in 1543, is one of the oldest producers of Schwarzbier in Germany. It is located in Bad Köstritz, which is close to Gera in Thuringia.
During the Cold War, Köstritzer was one of the few breweries in East Germany that manufactured beer for export. From 1956 to 1976, the beer was exported to West Germany. The brewery has been owned by the Bitburger Brauerei since 1991. The total output of the brewery increased from 145,000 hectoliters in 1991 to 910,000 hL in 2004.
One of the most famous drinkers of Köstritzer Schwarzbier was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who sustained himself on black beer from Köstritz when he was unable to eat during a period of illness.
Köstritzer produces the following types of beer:
- Schwarzbier
- Kranich-Bräu
- Edel-Pils
- Diät-Pils
- Bibop
- Witbier
- Pale Ale
- Kellerbier
