June 21, 2021

Meet the Brew Master

The star of Hofbräuhaus is the Bier, and we’re okay with that. However, to be sure that our Bier is always at its best, we have our own Head Brewer, or who we affectionately call “the Brew Master.” This occupation has been taken from the hallowed grounds of Munich, which happens to be the first Hofbräuhaus.

Whoever is in this position must dedicate their time and efforts to providing our customers with the best Bier possible. The exciting part of this position is the dedication you must have to the product and the process.

Settle in as we talk to the Head Brewer for Hofbräuhaus Newport, Conrad Freihofer, who gives us insight on himself and the position. Then, visit us online or in-person to learn more about our Biers, menu, and some fun too!

Master of the Brew

From the buying of ingredients to how the final product tastes, the Head Brewer takes responsibility for that perfect liter.

To become the Head Brewer, Conrad earned his Brewer’s Certificate from the Siebel Institute of Technology. This course gives insight into the Science and processes of Bier making. It also prepares future brewers to implement sanitation and high standards where they work.

It is also worth mentioning that Conrad has worked for 8 German Brew Masters during his 26-year career.

Day-to-day, Conrad is responsible for ordering the raw ingredients for each batch of Bier. He is also in charge of coordinating when to brew as well as keeping the instruments and machinery in proper working order. By the way, Conrad also oversees the brewing in our Hofbräuhaus locations in Columbus and Pittsburgh.

We learned from him that the longest process of brewing is the lautering process. Lautering is transferring the converted sugars from the Lauter back into the brewing kettle. Conrad’s favorite part of the process is watching the fermentation take place.

During fermentation, the fermentable sugars are gobbled up by the yeast and produce alcohol and carbon-dioxide, a process you can actually see.

You may be surprised to find out that workers dedicated to the brewing process spend a great deal of their time cleaning. This is because kettles must be clean to maintain flavor, integrity, and sanitation.

The Man Behind the Brews

Conrad’s favorite menu item is the Jagerschnitzel. He says, “the burgundy wine sauce is awesome.” We may be biased, but we agree. He also recommends a Lager for warm weather.

Suppose you’re looking for your next favorite Bier. In that case, Conrad says, “The original Hofbräuhaus Lager is my favorite, easy-going, nicely balanced, and one where you will say, I’ll have another (drinkability).”

When on a night out with friends, Conrad recommends taking selfies in front of the brewing kettles. Be sure to tag Hofbräuhaus in those selfies so that we can see the fun you’re having. Share your selfies with us:

• • Facebook: @hbhnewport
  • Instagram: @hofbrauhaus_newport

And, if you catch a picture of your best four-legged friend in the Biergarten, tag us! In Newport, the pups of the Biergarten are always welcome have their own Instagram page: Hofbrauhounds of Newport: @hofbrauhounds859.

When asked when the last time Conrad did the Chicken Dance, he said May 14, 2021. We cannot confirm or deny that this was on a table.

Prost, Conrad!

We invite you and yours to enjoy our delicious biers. Each is made with care, passion, and love for Bier. Thanks to Conrad and his hard work, we never have to worry about providing our customers with anything less.

If you would like to become a master yourself, join our Stein Master Club! As of the submission of this blog, there are limited spots available. Members of this exclusive club enjoy:

• Free birthday draft (½ liter)
• Stein locker
• Lock with two keys
• Hofbrauhaus ceramic stein (decorate it anyway you like!)
• Exclusive bier pricing offers
• So much more!

Thank you for joining us to raise a glass to the Master of our Brews here at Hofbräuhaus Newport, Conrad Freihofer. Think of him and his team the next time you enjoy your favorite lager!