Giesenbräu Bier Co.
History and Mission

in New Prague, MN

The Giesenbräu Bier Co. history and mission begins in a Bavarian biergarten, where two founders shared a Maß of Munich Helles and made a decision: bring that experience home. Founded in October 2017 in New Prague, Minnesota, Giesenbräu was built on a single conviction that German tradition craft brewing deserves a permanent home in the Midwest. We are serious about bier and lighthearted about everything else, and that balance shapes every pour we serve.

Our Authentic Brewery Story

Where German tradition

meets modern craft brewing

The New Prague brewery founders behind Giesenbräu did not set out to chase trends. They set out to fill a gap. Sitting in a traditional Bavarian biergarten, they realized that the kind of welcoming, lager-centric gathering place they loved simply did not exist back home in the United States. So they built one. From day one, the philosophy has been straightforward: make bier flavored beer.

No gimmicks, no fads, just honest traditional beer making rooted in Bavarian technique and executed with modern precision. That commitment has earned Giesenbräu multiple Minnesota Brewers Cup awards, including a 1st Place finish in 2023 for Hildy's Helles, our flagship Munich Lager. The awards matter, but they are a byproduct of the mission, not the goal. The goal has always been to give the community a place that feels like a second home.

People pouring grain into a large bowl in a workshop, with buckets and tools nearby.
MN Brewers Cup
1st
Place · 2023
Hildy’s Helles
People in red Santa hats raise their arms in a festive hall decorated with chandeliers and long tables.
Our Authentic Brewery Story

A community-first brewery

rooted in Bavarian values

Giesenbräu is more than a taproom. It is a gathering place where families, dog owners, lager lovers, and the sober-curious all share the same space without anyone feeling out of place. Kids are always welcome. Dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash. Non-alcoholic options are always available. We run weekly events like Trivia Mafia, The Initials Game, and monthly Sunday Steins and Polka Time because community programming is part of who we are, not an afterthought.

Our up to 15 taps pour a range of styles, from a crisp 4.8% Bavarian Hefeweizen to the bold 10.6% Frickin Scruggly Double IPA, so there is genuinely something for everyone. When we say German tradition craft brewing, we mean it in practice, not just in marketing. Helles ist doch medizin. Lager lovers unite.

  • When was Giesenbräu Bier Co. founded and what inspired it?

    Giesenbräu Bier Co. was established in October 2017 in New Prague, Minnesota. The inspiration came from a trip to a traditional Bavarian biergarten, where the founders sat over a Maß of Munich Helles and realized there was no authentic German-style biergarten experience available back home in the United States. That moment turned into a mission: bring the warmth, the tradition, and the quality of German bier culture to the Midwest.

  • What sets Giesenbräu apart from other craft breweries in Minnesota?

    Most craft breweries in Minnesota lean heavily into American IPAs and experimental styles. Giesenbräu takes a different path by centering its identity on German tradition craft brewing, with a focus on lagers and Bavarian ales. The philosophy is simple: bier flavored beer. That no-frills approach, backed by multiple Minnesota Brewers Cup awards including a 1st Place in 2023 for Hildy's Helles, sets the brewery apart from those chasing the latest trend.

  • Is the taproom welcoming to families and dogs?

    Yes on both counts. Kids are always welcome at Giesenbräu, and the taproom and biergarten are open to dogs kept on a 6-foot leash. The brewery was built around the idea of a welcoming community space where everyone feels at home, not just craft beer specialists. Non-alcoholic options are also available for designated drivers or anyone who prefers not to drink.

  • What styles of bier does Giesenbräu brew, and how many taps are on at once?

    The brewery pours up to 15 taps at any given time, covering styles from traditional Bavarian lagers and wheat ales to American pale ales and big double IPAs. Flagship offerings include Hildy's Helles (a 5.2% Munich Lager), Giesen Weisse (a 4.8% Hefeweizen), Bavarian Gangsta (a German IPA at 7.0%), and Frickin Scruggly (a 10.6% DIPA). Rotating seasonal styles round out the tap list throughout the year.

  • What regular events does Giesenbräu host at the taproom?

    Community programming is a core part of the Giesenbräu experience. Weekly events include Trivia Mafia on Thursdays and The Initials Game on Wednesdays. Monthly, the taproom hosts Sunday Steins and Polka Time, which reinforces the brewery's Bavarian identity in a fun, accessible way. Annual events like Oktoberfest and Brew Prague serve as major seasonal anchors that draw visitors from across the region.

  • Can I rent the Bierstube for a private event, and what does it include?

    The Werner Giesen Bierstube is available for private rental at $200 for a 4-hour block, with one additional hour included for setup and takedown. The space accommodates up to 75 guests and comes equipped with tables, chairs, a PA system, projector, Chromecast/HDMI connectivity, and 14 electrical outlets. Garbage and recycling services are included. Extended rental time is available at an additional cost, and all inquiries should be submitted through the Bierstube inquiry form.

  • What are the taproom hours throughout the week?

    The taproom is closed on Mondays. Tuesday through Thursday, hours run from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Friday and Saturday hours are 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. On Sundays, the taproom is open from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Food trucks are typically on site on Fridays and Saturdays, and guests are welcome to carry in or order food from outside on other days, as the brewery does not have an on-site kitchen.
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Common Questions About Giesenbräu Bier Co.

Beer glass on a table in front of a small live band performing indoors.