Lohmühle in Schnaittach in Nürnberger Land, Bavaria, Germany — Central Europe
Das Kommunbrauhaus
Schnaittacher Geschichtsweg
⎯⎯⎯
The Communal Brewery
Schnaittach Historical Trail
Photographed by James Hulse, February 24, 2026
1. Das Kommunbrauhaus / The Communal Brewery Marker
Die Errichtung eines Kommunbrauhauses war die logische Folge der Verleihung des Braurechtes an die Schnaittacher Bürger durch Kaiser Karl IV., der im Jahre 1360 die Burg auf dem Rothenberg und das zu ihren Füßen liegende Schnaittach käuflich erworben hatte, um hier einen böhmischen Verwaltungsmittelpunkt zu errichten.
Jeder Brauberechtigte war verpflichtet, sein Bier hier im Kommunbrauhaus zu brauen. Gleichzeitig durfte jeder Schankberechtigte nur sein selbstgebrautes Bier ausschenken.
Erst im Jahre 1807 erfolgte die Aufhebung des Kommunbrauzwanges. Von nun an verzichteten immer mehr Gastwirte darauf, ihr eigenes Bier zu brauen, weil es wirtschaftlicher war, das Bier von einem anderen Brauer zu beziehen, was bisher verboten war. Trotzdem baute die Marktgemeinde Schnaittach im Jahre 1899 auf Drängen der verbliebenen Brauer das Kommunbrauhaus für 12.565 Mark zur Dampfbrauerei um. Aber der Abwärtstrend war damit nicht aufzuhalten: Ab 1926 nutzten nur noch vier Brauer diese öffentliche Einrichtung.
Während des Zweiten Weltkrieges wurde das Brauhaus nicht benutzt und verfiel, weil die Brauer alle zur Wehrmacht eingezogen wurden. Am 28. Juli 1947 beschloss der Marktgemeinderat den Abriss des Kommunbrauhauses. Ein Neubau scheiterte an der Uneinigkeit der verbliebenen Brauer.
Heute erinnert nur noch der Straßenname „Brauhausgasse“ an diese einst wirtschaftlich bedeutsame öffentliche Einrichtung.
Foto R. Uibl 1927 Museums- und Geschichtsverein Schnaittach e. V.
The construction of a communal brewhouse was the logical consequence of the granting of brewing rights to the citizens of Schnaittach by Emperor Charles IV, who in 1360 had purchased the castle on the Rothenberg and the settlement of Schnaittach lying at its foot in order to establish a Bohemian administrative center there.
Every citizen entitled to brew was required to brew his beer in the communal brewhouse. At the same time, every licensed tavern keeper was permitted to serve only his own self-brewed beer.
It was not until 1807 that the obligation to use the communal brewhouse was abolished. From then on, more and more innkeepers refrained from brewing their own beer because it was more economical to obtain beer from another brewer, which had previously been prohibited. Nevertheless, in 1899 the market municipality of Schnaittach, at the urging of the remaining brewers, converted the communal brewhouse into a steam brewery at a cost of 12,565 marks. However, the downward trend could not be stopped: from 1926 onward, only four brewers still used this public facility.
During the Second World War the brewhouse was not used and fell into disrepair because the brewers had all been conscripted into the armed forces. On July 28, 1947, the municipal council resolved to demolish the communal brewhouse. Plans for a new building failed due to disagreements among the remaining brewers.
Today, only the street name “Brauhausgasse” recalls this once economically significant public institution.
Photo by R. Uibl, 1927 Museum and Historical Society of Schnaittach (registered association)
Erected 2011
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is July 28, 1947.
Location. 49° 33.519′ N, 11° 20.502′ E. Marker is in Schnaittach, Bayern (Bavaria), in Nürnberger Land. It is in Lohmühle. It is at the intersection of Brauhausgasse and Birkensteingasse, on the right when traveling north on Brauhausgasse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Brauhausgasse 8, Schnaittach BY 91220, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Die Alte Badstube / The Old Bathhouse (a few steps from this marker); Zum Bergschmied / At the Mountain Blacksmith (a few steps from this marker); Der Sternwirt / The Star Innkeeper (within shouting distance of this marker); Zum Blauen Löwen / At the Blue Lion
Photographed by James Hulse, February 24, 2026
2. Das Kommunbrauhaus / The Communal Brewery Marker
The view of the marker along the street.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
