Family line in Schlenkerla

The list of owners of the Schlenkerla is documented all the way back to the 15th century, the brewery rock cellars estate even to the 14th century. Today the 6th generation of the Graser/Trum family is tapping the smokebeer.

Andreas Graser - the original Schlenkerla

Andreas Graser - the original Schlenkerla

Konrad GraserKonrad Graser

Konrad Graser, the first generation of todays Schlenkerla owner family, becomes the owner/brewmaster in 1866 at brewery Heller in Dominikanerstrasse. Before he had been the patron/brewmaster at Bambergs oldest brewery for decades: The brewery Michaelsberg (monastery brewery til secularization) with brewing right since 1154.

Andreas GraserAndreas Graser

Andreas Graser follows his father Konrad Graser. He is the name patron of todays Schlenkerla name: Allegedly he had a funny way of walking due to an accident, or maybe due to the beer, and so he was called the "Schlenkerla" - the little dangler. The ending -la is the typical diminutive for the Frankish dialect. After a while, the residents of Bamberg also called the tavern Schlenkerla, and even though the sixth generation of brewers now taps the beer, the name has remained.

Michael GraserMichael Graser

After Andreas Graser early death, his son Michael takes over the brewery from him. He is the most influencial Bräu of all generations at Schlenkerla. The historic setting at the brewery tavern is his work: Old rooms, like e.g. the Dominikanerklause from 14th century are being restored elaborately. The copperplatic engravings were mostly collected by him. On Oberer Stephansberg he adds the neighbouring premises to the existing historic lagering cellars, and the rest of the brewery is moved there.

Jakob TrumJakob Trum

Michael Graser dies in 1943; his successor is Jakob Trum, who had married Michael's daughter Elisabeth in 1932. Because of the war Elisabeth is at first running Schlenkerla on her own, as her husband has to serve in the military. The years at the end and after World War II are times of need and shortage. As grain is scarce, by rule of the Nazi government breweries are only allowed to make so called "thin beer" with only 2% original gravity, which is about 1/3rd of todays light beers (normal beers have 11% original gravity and more). Another sign of deprivation: The first balances after the war list 5 brooms as assets and turnover with tabaco is higher than turnover with food. After the currency reform 1948 with the introduction of the "D-Mark" things are slowly getting better. The brewery is modernised, the old beer horse carriage is replaced by a truck and guest numbers in the tavern increase steadily. Therefore Jakob Trum acquires the "Dominikanerklause" from the state of Bavaria in the 1960s, which had been chartered by Michael Graser in the 1920s. The "house under the storks" and the former hospital building of the Dominican monastery are also purchased. In addition, Jakob assumes many honorary appointments, e.g. in the chamber of craft and in the Bavarian senate. Elisabeth continues to run the brewery tavern, knows all guests and hence almost all Bamberg citizens, and is therefore the soul of Schlenkerla.