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The regions in bottles and kegs

It is hardly surprising that the management keeps drawing parallels with sports. "We all enjoy playing handball and see ourselves as part of a team", says Frank Tichelkamp, responsible for sales and marketing at the Königshof brewery. He and Managing Director Robert Ditz used to play in the highest handball leagues in Germany. The heated competition around the goal mouth helped to forge links that have held to this today and have also resulted in commercial success. Together with their Master Brewer, Georg Schroers, and specialists in logistics and their field sales staff (totalling 56 full-time employees), Robert Ditz and Frank Tichelkamp run a company that has created one of the most interesting brands in recent years: a beer named after a suburb of Krefeld: Königshof. And that brand has won awards: in 2015 it was awarded two gold medals by the DLG (German Agricultural Society). "Königshof beers of outstanding quality and at affordable prices, for cost-aware consumers", this is the company's strap-line. "The crates and kegs marked Königshof Brewery stand for wholesome beers with excellent flavour and guaranteed freshness."

In 2007 the company introduced its Original Königshof beer in crates with 11 bottles – another cross-reference to sports – made available through specialist dealers. The noticeably mild variants of alt and pils beers soon found fans in the region and are much appreciated by the ladies. The beers marketed by the Königshof Brewery, besides the classic types they also make wheat beers and shandies, have been successful since 2008, mainly because of their excellent value for money. "Our guiding philosophy is made in Krefeld for the people in Krefeld,” explains Frank Tichelkamp, himself born and bred in Krefeld. "This is our focal point, because beer needs a good home." Or, to put it another way: "A credible location is crucial." This is why all the company's labels show the brewery's location at Krefeld. This approach is well received not only in the town itself, also famous for its velvet and silk. "We know that our beers are well-liked in the Lower Rhine area and have noticed an increasing demand for our crates and kegs from the municipality of Neuss", enthuses Robert Ditz, himself a son of Krefeld who is proud of his origins: "I love the beer garden in the woods outside Krefeld."

The staff at Königshof are in the fortunate position of not having to worry too much about competition and market share, because 80 per cent of their sales comes from services. This started twelve years ago after a confident investor bought up the brewery premises and equipment when the Rhenania brewery collapsed. Now numerous famous companies from all over Germany have their beers brewed here in Krefeld. The logistical strategy has paid off: lorries never have to stand longer than 45 minutes to be fully laden, this is a record in this industry. And thanks to the favourable geographical position, the products can be supplied quickly to their traditional homes, be it kölsch, wheat beer, pils or alt beer. Thanks also to state-of-the-art technology, the brewery can process five different kinds of yeast and provide whatever quality of water the customer requires. "For one customer in the neighbouring Netherlands, we have even managed to produce a typically Dutch beer", says Frank Tichelkamp, who has been in this business now for 30 years. "It was absolutely essential not to produce the kind of head we like in Germany, but at the bottom of the empty glass, there should be a certain amount of froth left."

Anyone who has dreamed of having their own beer made can have this dream come true at Königshof Brewery. "On request, we are pleased to develop individual beers for clients", says Robert Ditz. However, to ensure the process is economical for both parties, the minimum quantity is 5000 hectolitres, which is equivalent to 2500 baths full of beer. The bottling line manages 50,000 bottles an hour.

Brauerei Königshof GmbH
Obergath 68 - 112
47805 Krefeld

Phone:  +49 2151 333-0
Fax:  +49 2151 3166-23

www.brauereikoenigshof.de
mail@brauereikoenigshof.de

As of 2016