The Gilde Brauerei: Hanoverian
beer with a long tradition
As the oldest company still in existence in Hanover, the Gilde Brauerei has deeply rooted links to the city and people of the region. Brewer and local hero Cord Broyhan developed his top-fermented beer in 1526, which led to Hanover experiencing an economic boom. Today, the liquid gold is an indispensable part of regional events. It is found everywhere, whether in restaurants or people’s fridges at home, and the so-called “Broyhan-Taler” coin is a trademark of the city.
2022
In 2022, Gilde opened a small brewery with adjacent restaurant in the American city of Charlotte. Supplies for retailers and other catering establishments are provided from Germany.
2016
In 2016, the Gilde Brauerei became a newly founded German limited liability company (GmbH) in the hands of two private entrepreneurs. The reason for this was the sale of the brewery by the Inbev-Gruppe (formerly Interbrew) to a medium-sized brewery group that already includes the Frankfurter Brauhaus (Frankfurt/Oder), the Feldschlösschen Brauerei (Dresden) and the French brewery Brasserie Champigneulles.
2003-2014
In 2003, Interbrew (later Inbev-Gruppe) took over the Gilde-Gruppe. In 2009, it began to reduce beer production. In 2014, total output dropped to 150,000 hl.
1996
In 1996, the Gilde Brauerei celebrated its 450th birthday and that of its trademark, the Broyhan-Taler coin. This makes it the oldest company still in existence in Hanover.
1990
The Gilde-Gruppe achieved an annual production of 3.9 million hl for the first time. The Hasseröder Brauerei in Wernigerode played a key role in this. In 1990, the Gilde-Gruppe took over the brewery and expanded it into a state-of-the-art site.
1985
In 1985, the Gilde Brauerei acquired the majority of shares in Hofbrauhaus Wolters AG.
1970
From 1970 to 1977, it built one of the most modern breweries in the world on Hildesheimer Strasse. The initial investment was 70 million DM.
1925
In 1925, the Lindener Aktien Brauerei (LAB) became the property of the Gilde Brauerei. The companies merged in 1968 to form Lindener Gilde-Bräu AG.
1870
In 1870, the Gilde Brauerei moved to its current site on Hildesheimer Strasse. Over the next five years, it built a neo-Gothic factory building on the site, which was largely destroyed in the Second World War.
1868
In 1868, the brewers’ guild developed from a cooperatively organised association into a company.
1609
In 1609, the brewers’ guild was recognised as an independent legal entity. This meant that it oversaw the official rights and duties of the brewers who belonged to it.
1546
In 1546, Hanover’s brewers founded their own guild in the city.
