Zillertal Bier

What Zillertal Bier does

Zillertal Bier Getränkehandel GmbH is a family-owned private brewery headquartered in Zell am Ziller, Tyrol, Austria. Founded in 1500 and now operated in its 16th generation by the Lechner family, it is Tyrol's oldest private brewery, with a current operating status anchored by a modern brewhouse that went live in December 2012 and a BrauKunstHaus visitor experience that opened in 2020. The company produces and distributes a diversified beverage portfolio: traditional beer specialties (Zeller Hell, Märzen, Pils, Tyroler Imperial Hell/Zwickl, Schwarzes, Dunkel, Weißbier Hell/Dunkel, BioZwickl, Radler naturtrüb), craft and seasonal beers (Gauder Bock at 7.8% ABV, Gauder Steinbock, 525 Jubiläumsbock, Granat Barley Wine, 517 Dinkel-Weizen), beer brandies distilled at Feindestillerie Christoph Kössle, Midi's organic lemonade and apple juice (now 100% BIO), and a curated wine assortment from Austrian and Italian vineyards.

The underlying production technology combines traditional Tyrolean brewing with modern facilities: exceptionally soft mountain spring water at 2.7 German hardness (over 90% of beer composition), proprietary Fisser Imperial barley grown exclusively in Tyrol since 2013, Cascade hops cultivated exclusively in Mühlviertel, and characteristically long cold fermentation and maturation (approximately one-third of production held in tanks, ~2 million liters at various maturity stages). A 500-liter specialty pilot brewery supports experimental batches, and a state-of-the-art filling station handles ~14,000 bottles (0.5l) or ~16,000 bottles (0.33l) per hour, equating to roughly 10 million bottles per year. Sustainability infrastructure includes 100% green electricity, a photovoltaic system, energy recovery, and in-house CO2 recovery that the company reports saves ~1,100,000 kg of CO2 annually.

The business model is a regional direct-sales GTM anchored by nine dedicated field sales managers covering distinct Tyrolean territories (Unterland, front/rear Zillertal, Schwaz, Innsbruck, Innsbruck-Land, Oberland, Kufsteinerland), supplemented by telephone pre-sale, a web/app ordering channel, the on-site BrauKunstHaus retail shop (tasting packages €9.90–€44.30 with group discounts), and partner online shops serving Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Distribution is intentionally capped at approximately 100km from the brewery to protect freshness and freshness-supported premium positioning. Primary customers are regional gastronomy (hotels, restaurants, cafes), retail trade partners, and individual consumers, with supporting revenue from corporate/group events and the ~30,000 annual visitors to the Gauder Festival (a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event since 2014). The company has no external investors, no disclosed funding rounds, and operates as an independent family business with no subsidiaries or parent entity.

Name

Zillertal Bier

Legal name

Zillertal Bier Getränkehandel GmbH

Website

https://zillertal-bier.at

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zillertal Bier is a Tyrolean family-owned brewery, founded in 1500 and now in its 16th generation, producing traditional beer specialties, craft beers, organic Midi's lemonades, beer brandies, and wines. It serves regional gastronomy, retail, and consumers within a 100km radius of Zell am Ziller.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brewery

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB), Beer, Brewery & Craft Beverage Tastings (THAJAGAE)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Traditional brewery
• Organic beverages
• Beer distribution
• Brewery tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Zell Am Ziller

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Beer Sales: Core revenue from brewing and selling beer specialties including standard beer specialties (Tyroler Hell, Zeller Hell, Märzen, Pils, Weißbier Hell, Weißbier Dunkel, Dunkel, Schwarzes, BioZwickl, Tyroler Imperial Zwickl, Radler naturtrüb), craft beers (Gauder Bock, Gauder Steinbock, 525, Granat, 517), and seasonal offerings.
2. Beverage Full Range: Full beverage portfolio including international beers, non-alcoholic branded beverages, fine schnapps, high-quality spirits, beer brandies, and wines from various winegrowers.
3. Midi's Organic Refreshments: Organic lemonade and refreshment products under Midi's brand, now 100% BIO certified, made from natural ingredients with mountain spring water.
4. BrauKunstHaus Visitor Experience: Multimedia brewery tour attraction open mid-May to early November and mid-December to mid-May. Shop selling beer specialties, accessories, regional delicacies, and gift items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zillertal Bier brews and distributes a full range of traditional Tyrolean beer specialties, premium craft beers, beer brandies, organic Midi's lemonades and apple juice, plus a curated Austrian/Italian wine assortment. The brewery sells primarily to regional gastronomy, hotels and retail trade within Tyrol (~100 km radius) and through partner online shops to consumers in Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The BrauKunstHaus visitor center complements the core offering with multimedia brewery tours and tasting packages.

Product overview

Zillertal Bier is a Tyrolean family brewery founded in 1500, now in its 16th generation, offering a diversified portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The core offering consists of traditional beer specialties (Zeller Hell, Märzen, Pils, Tyroler Imperial Hell, Tyroler Imperial Zwickl, Schwarzes, Dunkel, Gauder Bock, Gauder Steinbock, Weißbier Hell, Weißbier Dunkel, BioZwickl, Radler naturtrüb) complemented by premium craft beers (525 Tyroler Jubiläumsbock, Granat Barley Wine, 517 Dinkel-Weizen Spezialität, Gauder Steinbock Naturtrüb) and specialty beer brandies (Gauder Bock Bierbrand, Märzen Bier Zigarrenbrand). The non-alcoholic portfolio includes Midi's organic lemonades (Orange, Johannisbeere, Holunder, Zitrone, Ingwer) and Midi's organic apple juice, all certified 100% BIO quality. Wine selection and B2B hospitality services round out the offering. The company also operates the BrauKunstHaus visitor experience and sells products through partner online shops for customers outside Tyrol.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Midi's: Organic lemonade and refreshment brand featuring natural ingredients from controlled organic cultivation, including Orange, Johannisbeere, Holunder, Zitrone, Ingwer, and Apfelsaft varieties.
• BrauKunstHaus
• Friends of Gambrinus

Products and services

• Zeller Hell Regional lager beer brewed from natural local ingredients, slowly fermented and long cold-stored until perfectly ready to drink. Uncomplicated and easy to drink, targeted at consumers seeking authentic Tyrolean lager.
• Märzen Gold-yellow, full-flavored, herb-fresh, pleasantly drinkable lager beer distinguished by over 500 years of brewing tradition, long storage times and natural ingredients. Targeted at consumers seeking a traditional Märzen lager.
• Pils Austria's first Pils-style beer from the brewery — light golden, slim, pleasantly lively, elegantly hopped. Marketed as a heritage pils with long storage times.
• Tyroler Imperial Hell Imperial lager brewed with 100% Fisser Imperial barley grown in Tyrol. Balanced body, restrained carbon dioxide, targeted at consumers seeking a regional premium lager.
• Tyroler Imperial Zwickl Unfiltered specialty brewed from 100% Tyrol-grown barley and finest Austrian natural hops. Bright amber, pleasant cloudiness, fine aroma of exotic fruits and citrus.
• Schwarzes Premium dark beer — deep dark, slightly malty-aromatic, fine hoppy with delicate sweetness. Pairs with game, desserts and spicy cheeses.
• Dunkel Chestnut-colored, full-bodied dark beer with slightly caramelizing taste. Made with 500-year brewing tradition, long storage times and natural ingredients.
• Gauder Bock Light bock beer, aged 8 months, substantial and balanced. Austria's strongest festival beer at 7.8% alcohol, brewed exclusively for the annual Gauder Festival.
• Gauder Steinbock Traditional beer specialty brewed according to a 1920s recipe, aged 8 months. Fine hop aromas harmonize with delicate sweetness, balanced and full-bodied.
• Weißbier Hell Light, naturally cloudy, amber-colored wheat beer with fruity notes of banana and apricot. Brewed with 100% Tyrolean grain and 500-year tradition.
• Weißbier Dunkel Dark, naturally cloudy wheat beer — chestnut-colored, full and fruity with fine roasted malt aroma. Made with 100% Tyrolean grain.
• BioZwickl Organic unfiltered beer specialty using only the best barley malt and natural hops from Austrian controlled organic cultivation. Strong golden yellow with bronze reflections.
• Radler naturtrüb Light yellow, naturally cloudy organic radler beer — fruity, light and naturally fresh. 100% organic quality.
• 525 Tyroler Jubiläumsbock Tyrolean anniversary bock beer — strong copper-colored, naturally cloudy. Inviting aroma of caramelized pineapple, roasted almonds and Turkish honey with pronounced dense body. Aged in sherry barrels.
• Granat Barley Wine Premium barley wine — full-bodied, warming and soft. Chestnut-colored, naturally cloudy with intense malt aroma paired with fruity notes of top-fermenting yeast.
• 517 Dinkel-Weizen Spezialität Spelt wheat specialty — copper-colored and naturally cloudy. Fruity aroma of wild berries and exotic fruits with velvety, dense texture.
• Gauder Steinbock Naturtrüb Strong golden yellow, naturally cloudy craft beer with pleasant scent of dried fruit and mountain honey. Aged 8 months in small steel tanks.
• Gauder Bock Bierbrand Distilled digestif from Gauder Bock — spicy, hoppy, malty and nearly bread-like with intense fragrance, long finish and full body. Distilled at Feindestillerie Christoph Kössle.
• Märzen Bier Zigarrenbrand Cigar brandy distillate from Zillertal Märzen, aged approximately 2 years in oak barrels. Spicy, finely rounded with a hint of vanilla.
• Midi's Orange (Organic Lemonade) 100% organic, naturally cloudy lemonade made with juice from sun-ripened oranges and fresh Tyrolean Alpine mountain water. No artificial flavorings, for non-alcoholic refreshment.
• Midi's Johannisbeere (Organic Lemonade) 100% organic sparkling thirst quencher with natural juice from ripe blackcurrants, spritzed with Tyrolean Alpine water.
• Midi's Holunder (Organic Lemonade) Sparkling organic refreshment with finely balanced recipe of organic elderflower and organic lemon juice, served best with ice and lemon.
• Midi's Zitrone (Organic Lemonade) 100% organic, naturally cloudy lemonade with Sicilian organic lemon juice and Tyrolean mountain spring water. Fresh and fruity without artificial aromas.
• Midi's Ingwer (Organic Lemonade) 100% organic, naturally cloudy premium lemonade with refreshing ginger and pleasant spiciness, combined with ripe lemon juice and no artificial flavors.
• Midi's Bio Apfelsaft (Organic Apple Juice Spritzer) 100% organic, naturally cloudy apple juice spritzer made with juice from fresh apples from South Tyrol and Zillertal mountain spring water. No added sugar, preservatives or acidulants.
• Wine Assortment Quality wines from the most beautiful vineyards in Austria and Italy, sold to complement the brewery's beverage portfolio for gastronomy and consumers.
• BrauKunstHaus Visitor Experience Multimedia brewery visitor experience offering guided tours through the world of Zillertal Bier and the Zillertal region. Includes tasting packages (Pleasure, Craft Beer, alcohol-free and family variants) and an on-site retail shop.
• Gastronomy B2B Beverage Supply Service Full-range beverage distribution service for hospitality partners (hotels, restaurants, cafes) including the full product portfolio, qualified Diplom-Biersommelier/Sommelière drinking consultation, flexible regular delivery, single order/delivery/invoice and consistent contacts within a ~100 km radius.
• Online Shop Distribution Service Home delivery of Zillertal Bier products via partner online shops (BeerLovers in Austria, Alm Bier and Oostenrijkse Winkel in the Netherlands, C-Ach SumUp Store in Switzerland) for consumers outside the Tyrol core region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,100,000 kg CO2 saved annually through sustainability measures
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gambrinus Friends AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2001Association founded 2001 supporting Tyrolean families in need through social fund established 2004. Nearly 1,700 members including prominent personalities. Distributed ~€390,000 to over 600 families by 2020, rising to ~€430,000 and 670+ families by 2021. Promotes customs, Gauder Festival, and contemporary beer culture.
• Zillertal TourismuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership promoting beer culture and regional experiences in the Zillertal valley.
• TVB Zell-Gerlos (Zillertal Arena)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial tourism partner promoting regional attractions including brewery experiences.
• TVB Mayrhofen-HippachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership covering Mayrhofen-Hippach area.
• TVB Tux FinkenbergminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership for Tux and Finkenberg area.
• TVB KufsteinerlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership covering Kufstein region.
• Achensee TourismusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership for Achensee region.
• Hall-Wattens TourismusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership for Hall-Wattens area.
• Silberregion KarwendelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership for Silberregion Karwendel.
• Alpbachtal TourismusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership for Alpbachtal region.
• Erste Ferienregion Fügen-KaltenbachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partnership for Fügen-Kaltenbach holiday region.
• Urlaub am BauernhofminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with farm vacation organization promoting authentic regional experiences.
• Die Freien BrauerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of independent private breweries sharing commitment to brewing tradition and quality.
• Privatbrauereien ÖsterreichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian private breweries association representing interests of independent breweries.
• AMTirol (Rezept & Bildrechte)minorOthersCulinary content partnership for recipes featuring regional Tyrolean cuisine.
• BeerLovers (Austria)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline shop partner distributing Zillertal Bier products to Austrian consumers outside Tyrol.
• Alm Bier (Netherlands)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline shop partner distributing Zillertal Bier products in the Netherlands.
• C-Ach SumUp Store (Switzerland)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline shop partner distributing Zillertal Bier products in Switzerland.
• Oostenrijkse Winkel (Netherlands)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustrian product shop serving Dutch market with Zillertal Bier products.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Budweiser Budvar: Czech state-owned brewery with strong national heritage positioning and specialty lager portfolio across Central Europe. Comparable heritage-driven regional brewery with overlapping Austrian/Central European on-premise distribution.

Direct peers

• Schneider Weisse: Family-owned Bavarian wheat-beer specialist (since 1872) emphasizing traditional brewing, regional provenance, and specialty positioning. Comparable smaller-scale family brewery with strong wheat-beer category overlap to Zillertal's Weißbier Hell/Dunkel.
• Weihenstephan: Bavarian brewery claiming the world's oldest continuously operating brewery status (since 1040), with a heritage-led specialty beer portfolio. Highly comparable on heritage, traditional brewing, and premium regional positioning.
• Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg: Austria's largest privately owned brewery, also family-owned and headquartered in Salzburg with a similarly long heritage and broad Austrian regional specialty beer portfolio. Most directly comparable Austrian family brewery operating at larger scale with comparable craft/specialty positioning.
• Augustiner-Bräu: Munich-based family-owned Bavarian brewery operating since 1328, similarly emphasizing traditional brewing methods, regional terroir, and on-premise hospitality. Closest international parallel for a centuries-old family brewery with strong regional identity.
• Brauerei Murau: Styrian private family brewery focused on regional specialty beers with sustainability credentials and tourism-driven distribution. Comparable regional family-owned Austrian craft/specialty brewery with similar heritage-led positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Puntigamer: Major Austrian regional brewery with broad Styria-wide distribution and a national specialty beer portfolio. Larger incumbent operating in the same Austrian specialty/regional beer category with overlapping on-premise distribution.
• Erdinger Weißbräu: Germany's largest wheat-beer brewery, family-owned and headquartered in Bavaria, with extensive international distribution. Broader incumbent in the same specialty/regional beer category with overlapping wheat-beer products.
• Gösser: One of Austria's largest breweries (owned by Heineken), with a long heritage dating to the 17th century and national distribution. Broader incumbent competitor with overlapping Austrian heritage/specialty positioning and far greater scale.

Others

• Die Freien Brauer: Alliance of independent private breweries (including Zillertal Bier as a member) sharing commitment to brewing tradition and quality. Industry alliance rather than competitor; relevant for benchmarking independent brewery positioning and shared marketing initiatives.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zillertal-bier

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zillertal Bier