Holzwickeder Helenbrauerei
It’s Saturday, 9 a.m., brewing day. Christian Broegelmann is filling his 120-liter brewing system with water. Broegelmann has already brewed 1,500 liters of beer at the Holzwickeder Helenbrauerei (Helen Brewery) in Holzwickede.
The small apartment building on Landweg seems inconspicuous. You wouldn’t suspect that the garden, in the former chicken coop, is home to Holzwickede’s only brewery.
It all started three years ago at a brewing seminar. “Afterward, we brewed our own beer at home in the kitchen using a 20-liter preserving pot,” says the 27-year-old. His wife Melanie adds: “The first brewing process looked like cocoa.” But the third attempt was already a success: guests tasted the beer at a birthday party. From then on, the Broegelmanns hardly had any top-fermented beer for themselves – friends and relatives loved the cloudy pale ale.
The signs were pointing toward expansion. “We bought the 120-liter brewing system on eBay a year and a half ago.” What followed was the conversion of the parents’ chicken coop, along with official inspections. Customs now regularly takes samples of the Holzwickeder brew and tests the alcohol content, which is 5 percent.
“Christian, Pit needs another 20 liters for his birthday,” brewer Melanie chimes in. Christian explains: “With such large orders, we need to know in advance.” The hobby brewers can sell a few liters at any time. “Only during City Fun and May Festival do we run out of stock occasionally. Helen beer is available for two euros per liter every Saturday at Landweg 64. Containers must be purchased and brought along next time. Bottling would be too complicated, as the health department’s regulations are very strict.”
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
