One of the standout moments from the tour was learning more about Stiegl Goldbräu. Its fermentation alone takes three full weeks, a reminder that great beer doesn’t need shortcuts just time and care.

It was next we ventured into the tasting cellar within the brewery. The walls are lined with an incredible selection of bottles collected over the years from a wide range of breweries, creating a space that feels both educational and deeply rooted in brewing culture. Here we had the opportunity to taste a number of beers, including Wildshut Organic Sun King Barrique XXIV, a Blonde Strong Ale brewed using organic Pilsner malt from Stiegl’s own malt house, organic aroma hops and water from their own spring. This strictly limited beer was matured for six months in barrels previously used for Calvados, adding real depth and complexity to an already impressive beer.

That philosophy carried straight through into dinner at the Stiegl Brauwelt Restaurant attached to the brewery itself. There really is no better place to taste a beer than where it’s brewed and this was also where many of us tried Stiegl 0.0 for the first time. Safe to say it impressed and it won’t be long before you see it pouring on draught in the UK via Cave Direct.

"Wildshut is Austria’s first beer estate, handling everything from soil to glass on one site." 

Back in Salzburg that afternoon, Markus once again guided us through the city sharing stories of its fortress, definitely not a castle as was made clear to us, historic rockfalls and the origins of Stiegl itself. Seeing the original brewery site really underlined how far the brewery has come.

The day ended at the Stiegl Keller with two unforgettable moments. First a perfectly chilled glass of Stiegl Hell in the original cellar largely unchanged since its earliest days. Second sharing a bottle of Wildshut Perlage on the Bishop’s Gallery, an incredible balcony featuring a gallery of busts looking out over Salzburg as night fell. It was a genuinely special way to end our time in the city.

From brewery to mountains

With Salzburg behind us it was time to swap cobbled streets for ski lifts and head to Flachau.

Conditions were spot on with fresh snow welcoming both skiers and non-skiers alike. Mornings were spent on the slopes, afternoons brought everyone together for long lunches on the mountain where crisp Stiegl beers paired perfectly with traditional Austrian dishes.

Après ski lived up to its reputation too. Singing, dancing, Goldbräu flowing freely and the whole group together, it was exactly the kind of shared experience that makes trips like this so memorable. Our final day brought a few last runs, some alpine coaster action for the brave and a Radler at the bottom before heading home.

More than just a brewery trip

Huge thanks must go to Thomas and everyone at Stiegl for hosting us so generously, especially Markus whose passion for the brewery, the beer and Salzburg itself made the experience what it was. This trip wasn’t just about seeing where the beer is made, it was about understanding the values behind it and the culture it comes from.

And that’s the exciting part.

If you’d like the opportunity to experience a trip like this for yourself, speak to your Cave Direct account manager and ask about Stiegl Goldbräu options. We have a number of offers available that don’t just bring an outstanding Austrian lager to your bar but also open the door to unforgettable experiences like this one.

Because with Stiegl the beer and the experience always go hand in hand.