Anno domini 1270: The Hirt Brewery was first mentioned in a property and business register of the Gurk cathedral chapter from 1270: Item taberna in Hurde solvit talentum 1.
The historic starting signal for the Hirt Brewery was given with these words in 1270. For all those who don't have any Latin, this piece of wisdom means something like "Likewise, the tavern in Hirt pays 1 talent". It may not sound particularly exciting at first, but the Hirt Brewery can proudly call itself one of the oldest private breweries in Austria.
In addition to the Latin tax assessment, the register at that time also contained all kinds of other prescribed taxes for the brewery, from barley to hops to wheat. The tavern at Hirt, for example, would also have to pay "150 idra of barley, 20 idra of hops and two mensura of wheat".
Even then, the importance of brewing beer in the region must have been considerable! As far back as the late Middle Ages, the Hirt Brewery was providing Carinthia's connoisseurs with traditional beer specialities.
The special reputation enjoyed by the Braukeller and the Hirt Brewery is no coincidence. In the days of the beer cartel, when Hirt beer could only be served in the taverns of the region, Hirt fans made pilgrimages from far and wide to collect the noble drink directly from the brewery. Although Hirt was only represented regionally, the brewery soon acquired a high profile and enjoyed an excellent image.
The beer's reputation soon preceded it as far as Vienna. Students brought our Hirt beer to Vienna – probably our most important advertising media of the time. For them, it was obligatory to take extensive breaks at Hirt and at the same time a mortal sin to return to Vienna without the little student car full of crates of Hirt.
The fact that the students did all the "advertising work", especially in the federal capital, became apparent after the beer cartel ended on 31 December 1980, when Hirt decided to offer the beer throughout Austria due to strong demand. Today, the Vienna region is the most important sales market for Hirt beer after Carinthia.
Because of the cartel case, Hirt Private Brewery was able to continuously increase its beer output (from 37,000 to 150,000 hl).
The following decades at Hirt were characterised by the ongoing expansion of the product range to include new varieties such as, most recently, the naturally cloudy Hirt Kellermeister, as well as the Hirt fine brandies and the popular Hirt beer vinegar. The Hirt passion was also invested in the expansion of retail products as well as in the development of new markets both at home and abroad.
The brewery is aware of its roots and is also committed to the people of the region. By supporting a multitude of regional activities of organisations, sales partners, associations and entrepreneurs, the private company has made a significant contribution to a functioning regional economic structure.
BeerCademy in St. Salvator
The Hirt Beercademy (today Hirt GenussAkademie) opened its doors at the end of August 2012. A completely new institute aimed at the international beer community The clear aim is to offer all beer enthusiasts a platform to deepen their knowledge of beer and to exchange ideas with other like-minded people.
The BeerCademy becomes the Hirt GenussAkademie.
The change of name is also accompanied by a change of location. The Hirt GenussAkademie will be based at the Hirt location from 2018 and will expand its services as a platform for beer lovers and those interested in beer. From brewery tours, brew days, special seminars (barbecues, beer culinary events and much more) to certified beer sommelier training, there is something for everyone.
The GenussBote delivers real enjoyment directly to your door.
The new Hirt delivery service gets going in selected districts of Carinthia. Personal service, fair prices and an extensive product range leave nothing to be desired. All Hirt beer specialities, lemonades, a top wine range, mineral waters and fruit juices are available, as well as culinary delicacies.
Jordan Wine Agency adds excellent wine expertise to the Hirt family.
Since 2018, Hirt has also been a point of contact for wine lovers. Inspiring customers with loads of passion, quality, service and competence – this is what the traditional Carinthian businesses Hirt Private Brewery and Jordan Wine Agency had in common. This shared conviction inspired the two businesses to break new ground together in 2018 and provide beverage expertise and outstanding customer service from a single source.
Where is enjoyment at home? Since 2019, at the Hirt GenussTheke in Klagenfurt.
With the opening of the Hirt GenussTheke at Koschatstrasse 32-34 in Klagenfurt, Hirt Private Brewery has created another culinary highlight for connoisseurs with a taste for regional, high-quality and honest products. Some 240 square metres of space offer a true world of enjoyment focused on wine, beer, the finest spirits, refreshing lemonades and regional delicacies.
In a world where everything is becoming increasingly artificial, Hirt lives for the real thing.
We'd like to pass this enthusiasm on to our descendants and have written down our convictions in the Hirt Manifesto.
The anniversary year is all about Real Beer and is being celebrated with real passion despite the cancellation of the anniversary festival due to Covid-19.
750 Years of Hirt Beer
Real beer taste, alcohol-free. The beginning of the year saw growth in the Hirt product family. The new one from Hirt is a real free spirit and provides real beer enjoyment for all those looking to give up alcohol. With the first non-alcoholic beer from the Hirt brewing kettles, our master brewers have created a light-hearted, low-calorie thirst quencher with a special hops aroma and a fine honey note.
Worlds of pleasure of a special kind. In 2019, we made it our mission to give real pleasure a home by opening the first Hirt GenussTheke in Klagenfurt. In 2021, we were also able to offer connoisseurs a true world of pleasure focused on wine, beer, the finest spirits, refreshing lemonades, regional delicacies and selected culinary delights from the Alps-Adria region at the GenussTheke in Feldkirchen and at the GenussTheke in Millstatt am See.
