The Kellerberg in Höchstadt – Historical overview up to 1875

Before the Thirty Years‘ War, Bavaria was primarily a wine-growing region; beer was mainly brewed in northern Germany. In the Middle Ages, vineyards dominated the region, as evidenced by place and field names such as Weingartsgreuth, Weingartsgraben and Rebenweg. Population growth led to an increase in grain prices, which meant that farmers increasingly planted grain instead of grapes.

Brewing was strictly regulated: beer could only be produced with a brewing licence. In 1410, the citizens of Höchstadt were granted permission to brew, sell and serve beer for the first time by the Bishop of Bamberg, Anton von Rotenhan.

In 1604, Bishop Johann Philipp issued a decree to establish a communal brewery in order to reduce the risk of fire in residential buildings.
In 1698, the rock cellars on the Höchstadt Kellerberg were mentioned in a document for the first time; an inscription at the cellar entrance under the ‘Mühlstüberl’ also dates the construction to this year. In 1699, cellar owners had to pay a rent of 3 Batzen (about three pounds of beef) to the town from 25 February onwards, and resales were subject to a special tax.
In 1796, during the Napoleonic Wars, French troops destroyed beer barrels and looted the cellars, which also served as storage facilities.