After three years, an excursion was finally possible again: after the final exams, 17 participants of this year's VLB Certified Brewmaster course went on a great trip through Germany. In addition to malt houses and breweries, the group also visited companies from the supply industry.
Relaxed and relieved after an intense exam period, the participants of the excursion met at the VLB on 16 July 2023 and boarded the bus. The group reached its first destination, Mülheim an der Ruhr, in the late afternoon. At a wonderful pre-evening meeting, the course participants were able to have interesting discussions in advance with the hosts of the Aspera Brauerei Riese and the Bamberger Mälzerei. The next morning, a tour of the Aspera and Bamberger plants was on the agenda, which was of great interest to all participants. After refreshments at dizzying heights on the roofs of the malthouse, the journey continued to Krombach.
The group arrived punctually in the early afternoon at the Krombacher brewery Bernhard Schadeberg, where they were first welcomed in the reopened visitor centre. During the tour of the brewery, the questions of the newly qualified Brewmasters were answered in detail and experiences were exchanged, which was continued over a joint evening meal. Very early the next morning, it was back on board the bus. The next stop was the Licher Privatbrauerei Ihring-Melchior, where a warm welcome and an exciting introduction to the history of the brewery were followed by the brewery tour, which the participants enthusiastically attended.
Once again, everyone received a warm welcome at GEA Brewery Systems in Kitzingen on the third day of the excursion. The GEA team presented the in-house products, especially the innovations that focus on energy saving and CO2 balance. The Brewmasters were given an insight into brewhouse and plant production. During a subsequent dinner with Franconian specialities, further technical discussions were held and important contacts were made.
The last day was all about Hallertau hops. At the BarthHaas Hops Academy in St. Johann, the participants were given an insight into the variety of hop products, as well as a tour of the pilot brewery. This was followed by a hand-boniting of hops at HVG in Wolnzach, where single hopped beers were served to compare the aromas. A visit to the hop museum in the town gave the participants an understanding of the history of hop cultivation in the region. After a stop in the hop fields, which created a lot of excitement, there were plenty of gifts from the HVG as a crowning finale in addition to a beer tasting. After a very quiet return journey, the group arrived safely and contentedly in Berlin on Wednesday night.
Participants of this year's CBC excursion in front of the brewery in Krombach (top) and in the middle of a hop field (right), where the raw material could be experienced first hand