Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg:
Brauereigastätte Dinkelacker

Friday 4th January 2013

Bob Thompson

This pub is part of the Dickelacker brewery buildings and adjoins the main gate. This is a large regional brewery whose products can be found all over the area under many different names. Like all larger breweries, its current size has been achieved by absorption and amalgamation with other firms.

As often happens in Germany, some of the older names are retained. Drinkers are very loyal to brands so that, even if the brewery of their favourite beer is closed, it is advantageous for sales to keep the title going.

To explain the beers available in this brewery tap it is opportune to provide an abridged overview of the company's history.

We can go back 1861 when the Wulle brewery was founded in this industrial city. The Cluss Brauerei in Heilbronn first brewed in 1865. Closer to Stuttgart, in Vaihingen, Schwaben-Bräu was established in 1878.

Dinkelacker itself came into being in 1888. Finally the wheat beer brewery of Sandwald began in 1903. Of course, there were other acquisitions on the way, but these five are the main protagonists in this story.

All continued independently until well into the 20th Century, including the rebuilding of their breweries after the second war.

The first change occurred in 1971 when the Wulle-Brau was taken over by Dinkelacker. This was followed in 1977 when the Sandwald brewery was absorbed. Another brewery purchased was Cluss, in 1982, giving Dinkelacker a foothold in Heilbronn. The biggest amalgamation came in 1996 when the Schwaben brewery was merged giving the name of Dinkelacker-Schwaben Bräu. Independence was lost in 2004 when this company was taken over by the multinational Am-Bev.

This was reversed in 2007 by a buy-out and the company is once again in private hands. The only other major brewery left in the city is Stuttgarter Hofbräu which is part of a national chain.

The pub itself is very bright and airy with large windows facing Tübingen Strasse. Parts of it are on a slightly different level and there are a few brewery artefacts and photographs on the walls. Food is mostly of the local and traditional variety.

Although not a particularly atmospheric pub it is nevertheless a good place to taste a number of the brewery's beers that are not necessarily found in one single location. There were five draught beers on offer: Dinkelacker Privat (Hell, light) (4.9%), Dinkelacker CD Pils (5.1%), Cluss Kellerpils naturtrüb (Cloudy, organic Pils) (5.0%), Schwaben-Bräu Das Schwarze (Black beer) (4.9%) and Sanwald Hefe Weizen (Wheat beer) (4.9%).

As can be seen, some of the names come from closed breweries, yet they were all brewed about a hundred metres from where I was seated.

I had three of these beers and this is what I thought of them. Cluss Kellerpils was not at all bitter yet managed to be both fruity and dry together; very refreshing. I though Das Schwarze was a bit like a strong English Mild Ale. It was well balanced with dark malt tastes yet not at all sweet. Finally, the CD-Pils was not bitter enough to be a true German Pils. It had a dryish taste in the body but a sweet aftertaste.

Incidentally, Wulle Biere is nowadays only available in bottles, 50cl and 33cl. The latter is a Bügelflasche, a swing-topped bottle. The beer is a typical Helles Bier which is said to be brewed to the original recipe.

An amusing incident took place which goes to show the importance of obtaining permission before photographing interiors. I asked the barman if this could be done and he said yes. I took a few before an officious waitress told me off for not requesting permission. I told her in no uncertain terms that I had. Recovering quickly and determined to demonstrate her (self) importance she told me this did not include photographing the menu, which I often do to save taking notes. Rightly, I took no notice. You never know but, I might have passed this information on to the North Koreans! A few minutes later she put her coat on and left. She was only a part-timer!

So, this pub is worth visiting for good selection of the draught beers produced on site. Of course there are many more available in bottle including some with names of further defunct breweries.

Important Information:

Brauereigastätte Dinkelacker, Tübingen Strasse 48, Stuttgart-Süd. 70178
Tel: 0711 603 797

Open: Monday to Sunday: 11.00-23.00

The nearest public transport is at Österreichischer Platz station on the U-Bahn.
It is served by lines U1 and U14 and the pub is about ten minutes walk from the station.

To get to the brewery, come out of the station at the Tübingen Strasse exit and you will see some stairs up on the left. The overhead bridge of Paulinerstrasse is above. Turn right and walk parallel to it for short distance, then turn left under it. This is Tübingen Strasse.
You will eventually see the brewery and the tap on the right side.