Jann and Cathrin von der Brelie Begin Brewing in Leipzig

In 2014, Jann and Cathrin von der Brelie began developing and selling their own beers in Leipzig, Germany, establishing the operation that became Weisse Elster. They created the recipes in Leipzig and used regional production partners, including the Reichenbrand brewery in Chemnitz, rather than opening a production brewery of their own. The couple also operated the Goldhopfen beer bar, which became a local home for Weisse Elster before they transferred the bar to a new team in 2018. By combining a Leipzig identity, contract production, and direct contact with drinkers, Weisse Elster represented the emerging craft-beer culture of eastern Germany during the mid-2010s.