Founding Years

In 1791, the Rothaus Brewery was established by the Benedictine Monastery of St. Blasien near the inn “Zum Rothen Haus,” which had been officially recorded since 1681. The location was well chosen, offering abundant water sources and, thanks to the surrounding forests, plenty of wood for heating. The important trade route from Freiburg through Grafenhausen to Waldshut turned this remote area into a bustling stopover. As the highest point along the route, Rothaus was a natural place to rest. It was also situated halfway between the powerful monastery of St. Blasien and its newly acquired domain of Bonndorf.

Following secularization in 1806, the Rothaus Brewery became part of the Grand Duchy of Baden and was henceforth known as the “Grand Ducal Baden State Brewery Rothaus.” Just 20 years after its founding, the growing demand led to the first expansion of the production facilities. In 1830, the territorial protection for the Rothaus Brewery in the County of Bonndorf, which had been in place until then, was lifted.