Beer bottle museum in the Bierhotel Ranklleiten in Pettenbach

‘Even water becomes a fine drop when mixed with malt and hops.’

Pettenbach is home to Austria's only beer bottle museum, which currently houses over 16,000 bottles from more than 130 countries, varying in size, shape, colour and origin.

Passion, determination, motivation and perseverance – these are the qualities associated with the ambitious beer bottle collector and mastermind behind this unusual project, SR HOL Dipl.-Päd. Karl Kolnberger. The museum's success is also based on these qualities.

Since its opening, numerous guided tours and beer tastings have taken place. With a great love for the raw material and knowledge of processing, roasting and alcohol content, visitors are introduced to the 2,000-year-old natural product beer and guided through the diverse world of this noble, healthy and nutritious thirst-quencher in the rooms of the Bierhotel Ranklleiten.

Beer brewing was already mentioned in documents in the 9th century. Even Paracelsus, a medical scholar, natural scientist and philosopher, described beer as a ‘divine medicine’ in the 15th century.

"Every beer used to have and still has its own idea, its own variations, its own diversity. The selection of hop varieties, roasting degrees and alcohol content make beer a unique taste experience." Beer lover Karl Kolnberger

Hotel owner Karl Stöhr, who comes from the well-known Vorchdorf beer dynasty, is delighted with the museum, which Karl Kolnberger has set up with a lot of hard work and motivation and made accessible to the public. ‘Hopfen und Malz’ (hops and malt) is certainly not ‘lost’ on the two Karls – an expression that, incidentally, appeared in Goethe's writings as early as the 16th century and is still relevant in our language today – quite the contrary. Thirsty connoisseurs, inquisitive and interested groups of cheerful visitors can expect a unique experience when they visit the museum with an expert guide.

Afterwards, you can talk shop over a leisurely meal accompanied by selected beers and recommendations from beer expert Karl Stöhr. When it gets late, the beer hotel invites you to stay the night in comfortable rooms with a view of the beautiful Alm River.

Promising, stylish and enjoyable guided tours await all locals, day visitors and tourists, adding a special touch to birthday parties, anniversaries, company events, Christmas parties or spontaneous weekend getaways.

Admission: Voluntary donations and at your own risk!

Guided tours: Please make an appointment (also group tours)

Contact: GH Ranklleiten or Karl Stöhr

Karl Kolnberger: k.kolnberger @gmx.at; 0699/81795398