Freigeist was originally created as the higher-capacity offshoot of Cologne’s revolutionary and extremely tiny brewpub, Braustelle. Fully independent today, and led by co-founder and historical beer fanatic Sebastian Sauer , the company strives to break the stylistic chains of the modern mainstream German brewing industry by reviving and updating the country’s unique, regional beer styles, many of which disappeared only a few decades ago.

At a time when the global beer revolution seemed to have been passing Germany by, Freigeist has been the principle flag-bearer for re-establishing the country as a major force in creative brewing. It’s beers are at once challenging, in the modern craft beer style, and remarkably drinkable, per old German tradition.