Offbeat beer creations from Tegernsee
Here on the drinktec blog, we regularly take a look at the most impressive newcomers to the craft beer scene. This time it’s the turn of the innovative start-up ‘Hoppebräu’ from Waakirchen in Bavaria, which will be presenting its creative brews at the place2beer in Hall B1.
Markus Hoppe’s career in beer started in the Indian Ocean, some 9000 km from his native Waakirchen am Tegernsee. The 27-year-old has since returned to Bavaria and his brand ‘Hoppebräu’ is now one of Germany’s hippest young brewers. Hoppe’s beers, which have unusual-sounding names like ‘Vogelwuid’, ‘Wuida Hund’ and ‘Wuide Hehna’, are not only popular in Germany, but are also attracting attention all over the world.
Following his training as a brewer and maltster at Schlossbrauerei Maxlrain near Bad Aibling, he decided he wanted to extend his knowledge of international beers in other countries. A contract from a Scottish brewery was already on the table when a colleague announced that he had something better for him at Munich’s Joh. Albrecht Brauerei- und Gastronomietechnik GmbH, which designs breweries for its customers all over the world. Markus Hoppe didn’t think twice and signed the contract straight away. The destination of his first assignment was Mauritius, an island in the south-west of the Indian Ocean. This was how, at the age of 20, he became involved in the establishment of ‘Flying Dodo’, a new microbrewery in the mountains near the capital city, Port Louis.
In the 14 months that Hoppe spent on the island, he says he developed more than 20 different “unusual” brews – “I was able to really let loose there,” the Bavarian brewer explains. The beers he designed were brewed with pinewood, coffee beans or fruits like guava and watermelon. They caused a sensation on the idyllic holiday island in the tropics.
But Hoppe eventually had enough of island life and decided to return to Bavaria, where he lives today. Back in Bavaria, he dedicated himself to setting up his own craft brands. He didn’t have to wait long for success. Markus Hoppe does not have his own brewery and currently operates as a gypsy brewer, putting his ideas into practice in friends’ breweries. But later this year, building work is set to commence for his own brewery in his home region of Waakirchen. Hoppe’s dream can now become reality over an area of 3,000 m2, complete with brewery, restaurant and beer garden.
Here, his creations will be brewed using exclusively-selected raw materials, primarily from the local area. A process called dry hopping will be take place, in which the craft brewer packs the used aroma hops in the cold area in a vat. It is because of this process that his lager and the pale ale, as well as the India Pale Ale, are given an even more intensive flavor. The Bavarian brewer also enjoys maturing dark varieties such as stout in the whiskey or sherry cask. In any case, Hoppe is certainly not short of an unusual idea or two.
The young brewer from Bavaria also wants to entice visitors to the drinktec trade fair with his new specialties. The curious among them will be able to try all ‘Hoppebräu’ varieties at the place2beer area at the forthcoming drinktec. place2beer will play host to perhaps the most creative and exciting newcomers of the craft beer scene, who will happily welcome you to their stands and talk about their projects and new brews. This will be sure to make Hall B1 a hot spot for any beer lovers wanting to sample some truly unique brews – the space of around 500 square meters will provide attendees with the opportunity to taste creations from a whole range of brewers free of charge. There will also be live tasting sessions and panel discussions on hot topics such as ‘women and beer’ and ‘beer and food’.
