When Rohit Gupta was teaching high-school students in Salzburg, Austria, he became a regular at Augustiner Bräu, a 400-year-old Bierhalle. On Fridays, he and his colleagues would grab a seat at one of the long wooden tables or sit under the large chestnut trees in the Biergarten and share stories amongst each other, and often with complete strangers as well. This traditional Bierhalle only offers one style of beer, and the seats are communal.
“Everyone there was drinking the same drink and was seemingly there for the same reason. There was something connective about that,” says Gupta.
Gupta’s father Ravi came to visit him in Austria and immediately echoed the same sentiment after visiting Augustiner Bräu. The father and son-duo realized Ottawa was lacking this atmosphere.
When Gupta returned to Ottawa after teaching abroad for over eight years, he decided to try something different. Together, he and his father established Braumeister Brewing Company and Braumeister Bierhalle.
“The idea was to pay homage to Salzburg and the beer gardens we loved there. We sought to take what we loved about those places and bring it to the Ottawa region,” says Gupta.
The brewery in Carleton Place, which opened in 2018, and the Bierhalle in Hintonburg, which opened in 2021, offer an authentic European experience.
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Here are four reasons why you should grab a Maß at one of the Braumeister locations.
1. Enjoy a unique Bavarian experience
“When I walk into either of our locations, I feel the same way I felt when I was living in Salzburg,” says Gupta.
Everything about Braumeister comes from Gupta’s lived experiences.
Both locations have been designed to mimic the Bierhalles and Gasthauses Gupta visited while in Europe. Gupta imported furniture, light fixtures, and authentic steins from Germany, which keep beer cold longer because they are made of stone.
Taxes and tips are included in pricing to offer a true European dining experience.
2. Make new friends at the Bierhalle
“When you walk into a Bierhalle it should immediately feel warm and cozy,” says Gupta.
Unlike traditional sit-down restaurants, Braumeister does not have hosts or hostesses. Customers order a half or one litre beer (among other non-beer options) upon arriving, and then choose where they want to sit. The kitchen offers counter-based service with no wait staff. To order, customers simply walk up to the counter and receive a buzzer that notifies them when their food is ready so they can enjoy their beverage while they wait. This allows patrons to be able to leave on their own time instead of waiting to settle up the bill.
“People in North America do not have enough social time. Our logic is that the more social time we can give you and your group without us bothering you, the better for you,” says Gupta.
Patrons are encouraged to mingle with strangers and get to know their community members. Books, laptops and board games are welcomed.
“The Bierhalle is your ultimate social hangout,” says Gupta.
3. Experience genuine Bavarian food and drinks
Like traditional Bierhalles, Braumeister offers a focused selection of beer, prioritizing quality over quantity.
All of Braumeister’s beer is brewed at the Carleton Place location.
Two of the beers, Route 21 and Biergarten Blonde, are offered year-round. Route 21 is modelled after the same beer Gupta enjoyed at the Augustiner Bräu and is named after the bus route that took him from the school to the Bierhalle. Each month, Braumeister offers two additional specialized seasonal beers.
“Our beers contain no preservatives, additives, or clarifying agents. Since they don’t contain industrialized carbon dioxide, they have a creamier mouthfeel. We don’t cut corners and because of that, our lagers take at least a month and half to make,” says Gupta.
The kitchen at the Bierhalle offers genuine Bavarian food like bratwurst, schnitzel, and it has its own pretzel menu. The menu at the Bierhalle is also updated seasonally.
4. Partake in events
Twice a month, Braumeister hosts trivia nights at its Bierhalle.
For Oktoberfest and major sporting events, Braumeister holds special events at the Bierhalle. This past summer, the Bierhalle partnered with the German and Austrian embassies to host watch parties for the European soccer championships.
Gupta and his family are also invested in helping the Ottawa community. They held a charity bike ride between their two locations to raise money for CHEO and routinely donate to local food banks.
“It’s in the family to do what we can do with what we have. It’s important to give back,” says Gupta.
Visit braumeister.ca for more information about both locations.
