Hop-crazy for 25 years – cheers, BierVision Monstein!

Beer has been brewed in the former village dairy next to the church in Monstein for 25 years. Last year, approximately 200,000 liters of Monstein beer were delivered from the village of 180 inhabitants at 1,625 meters above sea level to Davos restaurants and as far away as Lake Constance. The brewery in the Walser village is known for its special collections, beer hikes, and summer tours with sunset beer on Friday evenings.

Big anniversary celebration on August 1st
The brewery will open its doors for its anniversary party on August 1st, offering insights into the art of brewing. In addition to beer tastings, there will be food and drink for all appetites, as well as an entertaining supporting program. Brewmaster and managing director Sebastian "Basti" Degen has a few ideas: "We're planning a beer crate stacking competition, where the team has to line up as many crates as possible." Other challenge ideas include beer keg bowling or rubber boot throwing up a slope, but the terrain needs to be tested first.

Traditional music from Appenzell will provide entertainment. The festivities last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., leaving time in the evening for your own national holiday program or for the official federal celebration in Davos or Klosters. Anyone who wants to toast the brewery's 25th anniversary should definitely arrive by public transport. Not only because parking spaces are very limited in Monstein.

Basti, the enthusiastic beer brewer
Master brewer Basti already knew at the age of 10 that he wanted to be a beer brewer. "Of course, it's a slap in the face for parents when their child says they want to become a professional alcoholic," he says with a wink. But he always received support from his parents. The Franconian native has been master brewer in Monstein since 2013 and has also been managing director of the small business with five employees since 2018.

He relies entirely on local raw materials for Monstein beer. The only thing they have to compromise on is the barley: "We tried growing barley at this altitude, but it's not profitable." That's why it comes from other regions in Graubünden and Bavaria. Logistics are another challenge, because the only way to get to Monstein is via a narrow, very winding road that's not designed for large trucks. But the current system with warehouses in Monstein, Davos, and Glaris has proven successful.

Staying instead of growing: Basti's vision for BierVision
Basti feels at home here in the countryside, in the small mountain village of Monstein and in his brewery, where he can tinker with new beer styles. "I've also worked in large breweries in German cities, but the work there isn't as varied." He also enjoys the peace and quiet and the nature right on his doorstep. He has found a home in Monstein that he won't be leaving anytime soon, especially since he's already looking ahead to the next 25 years of Monsteiner beer. With BierVision Monstein AG, he's not focusing on growth, but on stable continuity. His vision for 2050 is therefore quite simply: "That we're still here. And that our guests are still drinking beer." Let's toast to that!