Rugenbräu for generations

As independent family business, we have been cultivating traditional beer production for generations. Our local roots, our history and our commitment to quality quality standards form our identity. The skilful combination of tradition and craftsmanship promises unique beers and distillates for the future. and distillates.

More about our company history you can find here ...

Indermühle Brewery
Indermühle Brewery

1866

Christian Indermühle, a councillor from Kiesen, builds a brewery and distillery on the Gasthausmatte of the Hotel Interlaken a brewery with distillery.

1875

After his sons Carl and Albert took over the brewery. They built the rock cellar in Rugen, which is still used in this form today.

In the mill 1875
In the mill 1875
Fermentation vat
Fermentation vat

1880

The brewery is sold, as the Indermühle family has become has overstretched itself financially. With the help of the Cantonal Bank of Berne, the brewery is brewery is converted into a joint-stock company.

1892

The Joseph Hofweber, who was born in 1845, bought the company two years after he had the Zollikofen Castle Brewery two years earlier.

Joseph Hofweber
Joseph Hofweber
Fermentation cellar Rugenbräu
Fermentation cellar Rugenbräu

1895

Above the big cellar vault in the big Rugen a brewhouse is built. The production was completely relocated and the Bavarian brewery in Interlaken was is closed down. The company name is now J. Hofweber & Cie. AG with headquarters in Interlaken and a branch in Reichenbach near Zollikofen.

1920

As As a result of the First World War, the two breweries located on the "Bödeli breweries were forced to merge their companies. J. Hofweber & Cie. AG and Emil Horn's brewery are merged to form the Brauerei Betriebsgesellschaft Hofweber & Horn am Rugen. The Horn Brewery is closed down.

Interlaken breweries merger
Interlaken breweries merger
Rugenbräu around 1935
Rugenbräu around 1935

1935

It The total merger of the two breweries followed and the general partnership J. Hofweber & Cie. AG and Gebr. Horn is formed.

1968

Foundation of the joint-stock company Rugenbräu AG.

Rugen Brewery 1968
Rugen Brewery 1968
Brewery Reichenbach
Brewery Reichenbach

1971

The Reichenbach Castle Brewery is closed and the supply rights are ceded to the Cardinal years to the Cardinal brewery.

1988

At Rugenbräu AG is opening a depot for the greater Bern area at the Reichenbach Castle the greater Bern area.

Hands with hops
Hands with hops
Rugenbräu around 1999
Rugenbräu around 1999

1999

Rugenbräu AG presents the first official beer brandy distilled in Switzerland. distilled beer spirit. This made it possible to produce whiskey in Switzerland. to be produced in Switzerland.

2008

The first Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky is launched on the market. launched.

Singel malt whisky
Singel malt whisky
Brewhouse and Distillery Rugenbräu
Brewhouse and Distillery Rugenbräu

2010

The construction of the Rugen Distillery directly above the brewhouse is still a unique unique presentation for Switzerland.

2016

Rugenbräu AG has been family-owned for over 150 years.
Move into the new administration building and opening of the visitor center.

Rugenbräu around 2016
Rugenbräu around 2016
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2017

  • Swiss Beer Day is celebrated for the first time with a beer festival.
  • The stylish Oberland line is launched with Amber Oberland.

2018

  • Rugen Distillery installs 3 whisky barrels in the garden of the Tropical House. There, the whisky will mature in a tropical climate. This makes the Rugen Distillery for the time being the only whisky distillery in the world that matures whiskies in ice, in the rock cellar and in the tropics and this within a radius of about 50 km, respectively within a region.
  • As a tribute to Interlaken's local mountain, the "Harder" strong beer is launched and permanently included in the range.
  • In the fall, the "Master Distiller Edition II" is launched in a limited bottling of 723 bottles.
  • At the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2018, Rugen Distillery wins 4 medals: Gold for the Swiss Crystal Gin. Silver for the two Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whiskies 'Classic' and 'Ice Label' and Bronze for the Swiss Mountain Whisky Liqueur.
Whisky barrels in tropical house
Whisky barrels in tropical house
Fleur de Bière
Fleur de Bière

2019

  • Two new beer tanks with a capacity of 65,000 liters each are installed. This capacity expansion makes it possible to break peaks and use smaller tanks for specialties.
  • The traditional brewery at Rugen will be the exclusive beer partner at Switzerland's biggest rock festival, the Greenfield Festival, from 2019.
  • 20 years after the launch of the "Fleur de Bière", this noble distillate will be complemented by the "Fleur de Bière Barrel Edition".
  • At the Swiss Spirit Awards, the Master Distiller Edition is awarded gold and the Swiss Mountain Single Malt "Ice Label 2018" and the Fleur de Bière are awarded silver.
  • At the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019, Rugen Distillery wins five silver and three bronze medals.
  • At the Swiss Beer Award, the Rugenbräu Alpenperle, the Rugenbräu Spezial Dunkel and the Draft Oberland are awarded prizes.
  • At DistiSuisse, one gold and eight silver medals are awarded to Rugen Distillery distillates.
  • The line of "Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whiskies" is complemented with the "Rock Label".
  • Beer lovers are delighted with the new beer: "Brauer Edition No. 1 - Eiszapfen". The beer is brewed exclusively for the cold months.

2020

  • The popular Swiss Crystal Gin is complemented by two novelties: The "Swiss Crystal Gin Blue" and the "Swiss Crystal Gin Red" with their different flavors and ingredients now form the gin trilogy.
  • At the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2020, Rugen Distillery wins three silver and one bronze medal.
  • At the Swiss Spirit Awards, the "Fleur de Bière" is awarded gold and the "Swiss Crystal Gin" bronze.
  • The "Master Distiller Edition III" is launched in a limited bottling of 616 bottles in collaboration with the highest wine-growing region in the world.
Swiss Crystal Gin red & Blue
Swiss Crystal Gin red & Blue
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2021

  • A new truck is added to the fleet to ensure reliable delivery.
  • The new Rugenbräu Alkoholfrei is launched.
  • Another "Brauer Edition No. 2 - Hop Blossom" is launched as a seasonal beer for the spring months.
  • The "Rugenbräu Weizen," long longed for by the team and customers, expands the beer range.
  • At the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2021, the "Master Distiller Edition" is awarded gold for the first time. Supplemented with two silver and one bronze medal.
  • Three gold and seven silver medals are awarded to Rugen Distillery at DistiSuisse.

2022

  • After a three-year break, Swiss Beer Day is celebrated again in style with an open day and concert evening.
  • At the Swiss Beer Awards, Brauer Edition No. 1 "Eiszapfen" wins gold, and the wheat beer is awarded bronze.
  • In summer, the "Brauer Edition No. III - RED" is launched. The ale is only available during the warm season.
  • The "Master Distiller Edition IV" of Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky is launched with a double name. This is the first whisky to be matured in the tropics. The "Master Distiller Tropical House Edition I" is offered in only 284 bottles and is sold out within a few days.
Master Distiller
Master Distiller
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2023

  • The Swiss Mountain single malt whiskies "Classic" and "Rock Label" as well as the Swiss Crystal Gin are awarded GOLD at the China Wine & Spirits Awards (CWSA) 2023. The Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky "Double Barrel" and the Single Malt Whisky "Two Lakes" receive the bronze medal.
  • Swiss Beer Day is celebrated with the Bermudas, Ritschi, Halunke and DJ ZsuZsu.
  • The mission statement, mission and vision are revised together with the employees of Rugenbräu AG.
  • As an investment in infrastructure and the future, the new CO2 tank is delivered and put into operation in June.
  • During the summer, bee colonies live on the roof of Rugenbräu AG - in the fall, customers enjoy the first in-house honey
  • The Master Distiller Edition II is launched in June and the Master Distiller Edition III in September: Both whiskies are matured in the tropical garden at Tropenhaus Frutigen.
  • In September, a filled whisky cask is spectacularly lowered into Lake Hinterstocken by helicopter.
  • At DistiSuisse 2023, the three whiskies Ice Label 2023, Rock Label and Two Lakes are awarded gold. The Swiss Crystal Gin is awarded silver.
  • In November, the new flash pasteurization system is delivered and put into operation.

2024

  • Passengers on the MOB Golden Pass Express can now enjoy Rugenbräu beer!
  • On April 27, Swiss Beer Day will be celebrated with a record number of visitors.


Thanks to your support, Rugenbräu AG will continue to produce quality beers and the finest distillates in the future. We look forward to shaping the future with you.

Lager beer in a new guise
Lager beer in a new guise

Your contact person

Remo Kobluk
Managing Director
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