An event 13,000 years ago laid the foundation for an unusual brewery: the Laacher See volcano in the Eifel region erupted in a violent eruption and shaped the landscape with immense natural force. The only relic of this time is the brewery's beer cellar, which is located 30 meters underground. 153 steps lead to the lowest storage and fermentation cellar in the world.
A strong connection to nature prompted the brewery team to be one of the first to completely convert its production to sustainable and ecological brewing in 2011. A comprehensive modernization of the brewing facilities and a renovation and new construction of the premises catapulted the brewery into the present in 2012 and is a significant step towards climate neutrality. Other measures to protect and preserve the environment include the use of regional raw materials, the reduction of material consumption, the avoidance of glass breakage and energy savings through smooth processes such as bottling. All of these factors save energy. The final move towards 100% climate-neutral beer production was the switch from ingredients from conventional agriculture to organic products. Energy efficiency and emission reduction are still on the agenda and are pursued day after day through the use of the latest brewing technology and energy systems. However, since CO2 emissions cannot be completely prevented, the brewery offsets them directly, for example by supporting international climate protection projects.
From Roman times until the 19th century, volcanic rock was mined in Mendig, the home of the Vulkan Brewery, to make millstones. The residents of the region made use of the quarries that were created: thanks to a favorable combination of low temperatures and high humidity, the earth cellars are ideal for fermentation and storage. The basalt chambers attracted a lot of attention to the town of Mendig and made it known among brewers. There were once 28 breweries around the craters, but today only the Vulkan Brewery is still active. Thanks to high quality standards and the utmost care in brewing and the selection of regional raw materials from the Vulkaneifel, the brewery has been able to survive to this day. All beers are unfiltered and of the best organic quality: a natural taste experience of a special kind. With its outstanding beers, the Vulkan Brewery has already brought numerous awards to the Eifel. In 2020, for example, the Bourbon Barrel Doppelbock won in the “Germany's Best Beer” category at the World Beer Awards. Their passion for good beer and dedication to nature conservation are the driving forces behind the brewery's daily work. The team has managed to strike a balance between stability and change like no other German brewery.
Vulkan Brauerei GmbH & Co KG
Laacher-See-Str. 2
56743 Mendig
Deutschland