Michael Graser Takes Over Hellerbräu

In 1907, Michael Graser succeeded his father Andreas as the owner and brewmaster of Hellerbräu, popularly known as Schlenkerla. The brewery’s own family history describes Michael as the most influential brewer in its modern development. During his tenure, increasing numbers of guests also created pressure to expand the historic brewery tavern in Bamberg’s Dominikanerstraße. Michael Graser preserved and enlarged Schlenkerla’s historic premises rather than replacing their character. In 1926, he leased the adjoining medieval Dominikanerklause from the Bavarian state and had its Gothic vaulted room and historic ceiling paintings carefully restored. He also expanded the brewery’s properties around its old rock cellars on Stephansberg and began moving more of the production facilities there, laying the groundwork for the new brewhouse completed in 1936.