A look into the past reveals the icy supply chain that supported Bavaria's breweries in the 19th century. The picturesque expanse of the Alpsee in Hohenschwangau hides a history that extends far beyond its idyllic shores. While tourists admire the beauty of the lake today, it was once a vital source of a very special raw material: ice.

In the 19th century, ice was invaluable to the Bavarian breweries known for their first-class beers. But how did this precious commodity get from the remote Alpsee to the brewing kettles in Munich? The answer lies in a complex supply chain mastered by the pioneers of the industrial age. During the winter months, brave men were spotted on the frozen waters of the Alpsee, armed with saws and axes. Their goal: the ice. Large blocks were painstakingly cut out of the lake, carefully stacked and insulated with straw to prevent them from melting. These icy treasures were then patiently prepared for their journey. With the arrival of spring and the melting of the snow, another group of workers set to work. The ice, carefully packed and ready for transportation, was loaded onto carts, usually pulled by horses, and taken to the nearby railroad station in Füssen. There, the steaming locomotives were waiting to take the precious cargo to Munich.

The cool source of Bavarian beers

The arrival of the icy treasure in the Bavarian capital marked the culmination of an impressive logistical feat.In the breweries of Munich, where the business of brewing beer flourished, the ice was carefully placed in the storage tanks to cool the precious brewing kettles. From there, another process of craftsmanship and precision began, ultimately resulting in the delicious beers that make Bavaria famous around the world.Today, modern cooling technologies may have taken over the role of Alpsee ice, but the story of this icy supply chain remains a fascinating chapter in Bavaria's rich history.As we admire the clear waters of the Alpsee, we can remember the hard work and engineering that once went into cooling and refining Bavaria's golden drink.