The inventor of the Bräustüberl: Abbot Bernhard Wenzl

Without him, there would be no Bräustüberl: The baroque “brewing abbot” of Tegernsee brought beer to the monastery – and thus created a success story that continues to this day.

The 57th abbot of Tegernsee Abbey, Bernhard Wenzl, laid the foundation stone for today's Bräustüberl with the construction of a new brewery. The gatehouse (later the Spiritual Manor House, a building still standing today on the waterfront promenade, near the boat rental shop) marks the beginning of the Baroque reconstruction of the Tegernsee monastery complex.

Abbot Bernhard Wenzl (1637–1714) was not only a man of faith, but also a skilled entrepreneur in monk's robes. Originally a simple farmer's son from Henndorf near Salzburg, Bernhard's talent, piety, and dedication led him to become Abbot of Tegernsee Monastery (1673–1700). His greatest achievement: in 1675, he secured the monastery's valuable brewing and liquor license, thus laying the foundation for the current success of the Tegernsee Brewery and Brew Pub.

With the income from "beer consumption," he financed not only the beer but also monumental buildings such as the Baroque redesign of the monastery complex and the monastery church. The chronicler praised this wise decision as a "glorious deed." Abbot Bernhard Wenzl's influence extended far beyond the valley, from the construction of the church to the founding of the Bavarian Benedictine Congregation.

After almost three decades of successful tenure, Bernhard retired and died in 1714. His living legacy remains unforgettable – and every sip of Tegernsee beer is a small thank you to the wise Abbot Bernhard. Originally brewed for guests and subjects, the beer was not intended for the monks themselves – they continued to prefer wine from their own estates. After the dissolution of the monastery in 1803, the brewery became state property and in 1817 became the property of King Max Joseph I, becoming the "Royal Brown Beer Brewery Tegernsee." Later, it passed to Duke Max in Bavaria. Today, the innkeepers and their regulars preserve the unique traditions and ensure that the Bräustüberl remains a popular meeting place – true to the words of Eugen Roth, who aptly summarized it:

"Anyone who hasn't drunk a Maß – or more – there hasn't even received the minor ordination as a connoisseur of the Bavarian way of life."

Bräustüberl Newspaper 123 (2025)