History

Perfectly timed for summer, Brauerei Locher is launching the new HOI – naturally brewed. This term stands for true fermentation: naturally fermented drinks full of freshness, vitality and authentic flavour – without any artificial additives. Each can is the result of innovation, craftsmanship and a passion for natural enjoyment.

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In March, the new Locher craft beers are introduced. These handcrafted beers stand out for their special flavors. The labels evoke stories of people and their experiences in the Alpstein mountains.

 

On 10th December, the expanded Brauquöll Visitor Centre on Brauereiplatz in Appenzell opens its doors.  Our new, modern shop with a generous design is stocked with all Brauerei Locher products as well as merchandise and gifts. We also offer various tastings for individuals and groups (on request). A short tour of the brewhouse will offer a taste of brewing in action.

 

Brauerei Locher launches brewbee, the food upcycling brand, making a significant contribution towards reducing food waste. Under the brewbee brand, brewing by-products are turned into enjoyable, sustainable snacks, such as crisps, pizza, muesli or Birrattone. Together with his team, Brauerei Locher’s owner, Karl Locher, is making great strides towards realising his vision of processing all by-products into high-quality food and nutritional supplements.

 

Brauerei Locher has been a proponent of natural, resource-saving production for many years. In 2018, the brewery shifts its focus even more towards sustainable production, making sure that all ingredients are used to the fullest extent. Spent grain, for instance, is turned into tasty crisps.

 

 

The Brauquöll Visitor Centre opens, inviting fans of the brewery and beer-lovers to discover the world of Brauerei Locher.

 

 

 

Brauerei Locher opens a new brewery on the edge of the village of Appenzell. Because of steadily increasing demand, the brewery is constantly adjusting its capacity.

 

 

 

Karl Locher starts distilling his Säntis malt whisky, which makes him a pioneer in Swiss whisky production. The single malt whisky is left to mature in oak beer kegs that are steeped in history. Several editions of this unique whisky have already won international prizes.

 

 

Brauerei Locher is the first brewery to bring back the commercial cultivation of two-row barley to Switzerland. Raphael Locher-Diem and Karl Locher take over the brewery in its fifth generation. The cousins take over posts in management and the administrative board.

 

 

The fall of the Swiss beer cartel marks the start for many smaller breweries to conquer the Swiss beer market. It is also the birth year of Quöllfrisch. In the following year, Brauerei Locher expands its range of products and starts brewing special beer – doing justice to its reputation as an innovative brewery with a diverse range of products.

 

Welcome to the world wide web.

Brauerei Locher AG is the first Swiss brewery to go online. In subsequent years, the website – along with the product range – will be updated to suit the modern time.

 

See Brauerei Locher’s first website 😉

Brauerei K. Locher AG is set up as a stock company. Karl Locher-Elsner hands over the reigns to his sons, Karl Locher-Rieckenmann and Johannes Locher-Marmy.

 

 

Karl Locher-Elser (1900–1972) represents the third generation of the Locher brewing dynasty. He is a trained brewer and brewmaster. As is usual for successors in brewery families at the time, he has travelled to deepen his beer knowledge in other places such as Germany.

Brauerei Locher takes the first truck, Appenzell Innerrhoden, into operation. Just previously, the brewery ceases its pub business. The resulting free space can be used for the continuously growing brewery.

 

Karl Locher-Streule and his brother Oskar (1885–1958) found the general partnership Gebrüder Locher, Bierbrauerei, Appenzell. Karl purchases straw and spent grain for his farming operation from the brewery. In return, he supplies Oskar and his employees with milk. Karl is also responsible for the brewery pub and looks after the horses that draw the beer waggon.

 

After his father’s death, Karl Locher-Streule (1878–1951) takes over the brewery. He modernises the company and updates the production process. A steam engine is installed in the brewery to power a small generator – you could say it was the first power plant in Innerrhoden.

 

 

The brewery in Appenzell is auctioned. This is the start of the history of Brauerei Locher. Johann Christoph Locher (1837–1898) buys the property consisting of the brewery including maltings and cellars, residential building with restaurant, covered bowling alley, gardens, stables and ice cellar. Locher comes from a beer brewing dynasty in Oberegg, where his family had managed a brewery as early as in the 1750s.

 

Adolph Fässler, second generation owner, demolishes the main building. He builds a rather large and attractive brewery, including beer dispensary and bowling alley. With its secluded beer garden on the banks of the river Sitter, the Bierhütte attracted many guests. This building still stands today.