A tradition dating back to 1858
An exceptional complete package surrounding the historic Polsterbräu beer brand is being offered for sale. The brand originated in Nankendorf, in Franconian Switzerland, Upper Franconia, Germany.
The acquisition opportunity
The offer combines the rights to a historic beer brand with five original recipes, the internet domain and extensive remaining brewery inventory. It is intended for breweries, contract breweries, beverage producers, hospitality businesses, investors, founders and enthusiasts of historic beer brands.
Five original recipes
The complete recipes will not be published. They will be transferred to the purchaser as part of the contractual transaction.
A traditional pale lager with broad appeal in a regional beer market.
Polsterbräu’s delicately bitter Pilsner with a clear identity of its own.
A stronger, malt-forward Märzen rooted in Franconian brewing tradition.
A full-bodied, dark and characterful strong beer speciality.
A traditional nourishing malt drink in the style of German “Malzbier”.
Brand, beers and equipment
The photographs show the developed brand world, several beer specialities, draught equipment, crates and promotional items. Click any image to enlarge it.
Facts about Polsterbräu
Polsterbräu was founded in Nankendorf, Upper Franconia, in 1858 by Michael Polster. Known locally as the “Wirts-Michl”, he became renowned for his beer. Under his leadership, both Polsterbräu and the Polster brewing family continued to grow.
Polsterbräu was known for good beer and was also an important local employer. Even the beer crates were manufactured in the brewery’s own carpentry workshop.
Johann and Katharina Polster expanded the brewery by adding an inn. The Polster family residence and inn, together with the village church, still shape the appearance of Nankendorf today.
The inn remained under family management until 1951. Under later tenants Hans Wölfel and Paul Klaus, it became a tourist destination known for its easy-drinking beer and traditional Franconian snacks.
Under Werner and Gisela Polster, Polster beer was served in pubs and restaurants throughout almost every corner of Franconian Switzerland. In 1971, output reached approximately 33,000 hectolitres. The brewery even operated its own beer lorry to supply hospitality businesses in the surrounding region.
For personal reasons, Werner Polster took over the Zorn brewery in Eppingen, now known as Palmbräu. The Zorn brewery was temporarily subleased to Tucher Nürnberg. In 1974, brewing operations at Polsterbräu in Nankendorf came to a final end.
In August 2015, the “Bräumichlbier” was produced again by a contract brewery on the basis of the surviving Polsterbräu recipe. The lovingly restored brewery inn reopened its doors in January 2016.
In 2017, the inn closed again for economic reasons and a new owner was sought for Polsterbräu.
The Upper Franconian beer specialities were produced by a contract brewery. Polsterbräu beers were neither flash-heated nor pasteurised. They underwent seven days of cold fermentation instead of warm pressure fermentation and matured cold for at least six weeks rather than being rushed through in only two weeks.
The beers were distributed through pubs, restaurants and beverage retailers.
Why operations were discontinued
The decisive phase of rebuilding the brand coincided with a period in which hospitality, events, draught sales and regional distribution were severely affected by COVID-19 restrictions. The very sales channels through which a historic beer brand needs to grow were unavailable or severely limited for a prolonged period.
Despite considerable efforts, the project could not subsequently be stabilised on a lasting economic basis. Operations were therefore discontinued at the end of 2025.
The brand, recipes, domain and inventory are intended to pass into the hands of someone able to continue brewing Polsterbräu, reposition it or integrate it into an existing business.
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