Schlagl

Since The Schlagl Monastery's founding in 1218,
the "Jewel of the Muhlviertel" has been the spiritual
and cultural center of the region.

Founded in 1218



STIFT SCHLAGL Muhlviertel, Austria The only brewery in Austria 100% owned by a religious order, the historic Abbey Schlagl was founded in 1218. The "Jewel of the Mühlviertel" has been the spiritual and cultural center of the region since it's inception. The monastery was originally founded in 1203 by a Cistercian Monk named Kalhoch from the village of Bamberg in Bavaria and was commissioned by Bishop Wolfger of Passau to build a church and monastery on the border of Bohemia in a densely wooded area. Under extreme conditions and with the help of the Abbot Theodoric and other brothers, a small convent and church was built. The Schlagl Monastery was first mentioned in travel accounts by Bishop Wolfger of Passau in April of 1204. The second mention of Abbey Schlägl is found in a document by the Bishop Mangold of Passau from 1209 where the Bishop confirms the rights and freedoms of the bishop of the Cistercian monastery "Slag" and the Abbot Theodoric. However, many of the Abbot's brothers died in the fierce Bavarian winters of 1214 and 1215 and the monastery was abandoned soon after. In a document dated July 9th, 1218, the Bishop Kalhoch and a group of brothers from the lower Bavarian monastery of Osterhofen build a new monastery close to the original buildings and donates the "Slag" Monastery to the Premonstratensian Monks. The name "Slag" is a Latin derivative of the world "Plaga" - or "shock" in English. "Shock" because the abbey was used as an "introduction house" for new brothers just joining the faith and a "clearing house" for brothers leaving the faith. The beautiful stone Romanesque church that is still the heart of the grounds was built in 1250. Under the rule of Ulrich I, a great war was fought that did great damage to the monastery in 1321. By this time the monastery was the cultural center of the region sitting at the heart of the triangle of Austria, Bavaria and Bohemia. The most important monastery leader of the Middle Ages was provost Andreas Rieder (1444-1481). He enlarged the church and gave it great presence with elaborate work. He also expanded the monastery. Provost John III (1481-1490) built the great fortified tower (which helped keep out the enemies during wartime as well). The 16th Century saw the influence of the Reformation. The brewery was "formally" founded in 1580 to brew beer commercially though the abbey had been brewing beer for private use since the 12th century. Provost Fuck Crispin (1609-1622) rebuilt and improved much of the property and his successor, William Propst Capreolus (1622-1626) added many "Baroque" elements to the church that was very controversial at the time, and after his death in 1626 rebellious peasants set fire to the church and monastery destroying a good portion of the abbey. The following provost and later Abbot Martin Grey Sing (1627-1665) restored the church and monastery buildings (adding the north wing) and continued the "Baroque movement". A number of fires have plagued the monastery over the years with seven major fires between 1702 and 1850 completely restructuring the monastery adding the stunning "Baroque" library in 1852. A new wing was built the following two years replacing old farm buildings. The fabulous art collection at the Abbey Schlagl was started by the abbot Lebschy Dominik (1838-1884). The cellars have been used to store and lager the beers since 1865. In 1954 a new brewery and cellar was built and eventually enlarged in 1974. A new fermenting room with modern stainless steel fermentation tanks was added in the 1980s and the brewery was certified to the E.M.A.S. for their environmental improvements (building a new waste water system to neutralize water for reuse and new low emission equipment). This decade has seen the addition of a new bottling line and a state of the art bottle washer. Everything is done assure the brewery's status as the finest brewer in Austria. The beers are noted for their fresh hoppy flavors that come from the famous Muhlviertel hops grown in the district.

ABTEI PILS - ABBEY PILSNER
Stift Schlagl - Muhlviertel, Austria

"The aroma is that of citrus and grains. Flavors are great, fruity hops with a whiff of pine on a pale malt background. The bitterness is held medium, the texture is a slight bit oily. It’s a great Pils."
"Second most favorite Pils of Mine! Smooth Mühlviertler hops in nose and mouth. As fresh and clean as the Bohemian spring water it’s made from, and just yummy. Clear gold in color with a steady head and a long smooth finish."
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KRISTALL - PREMIUM LAGER
Stift Schlagl - Muhlviertel, Austria

“Pours a clear glowing golden with a dense frothy foamy white head. Aroma is lightly grassy, touch of sweetness, light apple, picking up more of the lovely breadiness now. Flavor is full and round, crisp, clean but with plenty of character, light sweetness, sharp apple, all in balance, lighter breadiness that is more in the finish, clean dry finish, crisp. Medium/light bodied, smooth spritzy carbonation with a dry clean crisp finish, great body and carbonation. Nice beer, supremely drinkable. Love the hop bitterness.”
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	URQUELL - MARZEN BIER Stift Schlagl - Muhlviertel, Austria The unique taste of this superb beer is because of the crystal-clear water from the prehistoric rock of the Böhmerwald, with the rich Mühlviertel hops. Pale golden colored, medium white head, slight malty and mild fruity aroma with a flowery, hoppy finish. An exceptional lager.

ROGGEN GOLD - RYE ALE
Stift Schlagl - Muhlviertel, Austria

100% Organic. "In the Muehlviertel land they grow the legendary “Schlaegl Rye” that is the base of the Roggen Gold. Austria’s one and only organic Rye beer. Local Aroma hops gives it the special note beer fans look for in the extra ordinary. "Light amber in color with a steady white head. Nose of malt, lemon, berry fruits and cereal. Beautifully balanced taste of the sweet malty cereal notes and the hoppy bitterness, very round and creamy. Smooth stuff. Recommended."
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MALZ KONIG - DUNKEL LAGER
Stift Schlagl - Muhlviertel, Austria

"Pours cola brown with a fluffy 2-finger tan head which quickly receeds to a thin ring. Lacing in the upper third of glass. Roasted malt, earthy Saaz hops, nutty. Medium bodied with good carbonation. Sweet malt with mild hop undertones. Sweet caramel at the back with a nice, smooth malty aftertaste. An excellently crafted beer for the style."
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SCHLAGL RED ALE
Stift Schlagl - Muhlviertel, Austria

"Pours to a light claret, with a one finger head that quickly settles to a trace. The smell is rich, with hints of malt. The mouthfeel is full, weighty. Taste is a fine balance between the malty substructure and the hops which resonate throughout. This is the best (albeit pricier than Kristall or Urquell) year-round beer offered by Schlägl."
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	DOPPEL BOCK - BLONDE DOUBLE BOCK Stift Schlagl - Muhlviertel, Austria The Abbey’s strongest beer at a whopping 8.3% alcohol. A pretty blonde in color with a lot of malt flavor and robust body. A perfect balance with its pronounced hops & barley from the local Bavarian fields and the ancient waters of the Muhlviertel.