Widmer

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webmailwidmer [dot] com

The legend goes like this: During the 1970's, a decade remembered by some for its various social movements, Kurt and Rob Widmer began to formulate a movement of their own. After graduating from Oregon State University (Rob) and the University of Oregon (Kurt), respectively, the Widmer brothers set out into the "real world" only to find out the "real world" wasn't for them. Each falling victim to the proverbial "quarter-life crisis," fueled in part by jobs that barely benefited their wallets (let alone their souls), Kurt and Rob Widmer set forth on a path toward opening the brewery we know today.

It began in the late-seventies when Kurt Widmer packed his bags (minus the suit and tie) and moved to Germany to soak up the culture. After 2 years in Germany, traveling from town to town enjoying great tasting European brews, Kurt returned to Portland, Oregon on a mission to create American interpretations of authentic European beer styles. After convincing Rob to quit his job and join him (it wasn't hard), Kurt’s quest for an original beer experience led him back to a brewery in Düsseldorf where he studied recipes native to the famous brewing hub. Kurt would bring back a unique brewing yeast obtained from the world-renowned Brewing Research Institute in Weihenstephan, Bavaria. It's that extraordinary yeast that has been maintained at the brewery ever since and remains an integral part of the Widmer Brothers brewing process.

A short time later, after quitting their jobs to follow their dreams and brew beer full-time, the brothers had barely enough money for food let alone build a brewery. As a result, Kurt and Rob enlisted the financial support of their closest friends and family. In 1984, after raising enough money (and writing a few I.O.U.'s), the brothers were able to found Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, honoring their family's name. Two years later, following a number of sleepless nights in which the brothers brewed in the AM and delivered in the PM, Kurt and Rob were able to pioneer the world's first American-style Hefeweizen. What is now affectionately known as the Widmer Hefeweizen has since grown in popularity and stands today as one of America's most popular wheat beers.

What began as a dream for two ordinary brothers who just loved beer is now a reality for two ordinary brothers who just love beer.

Brewery Pictures:

Video: "Hefeweizen Happens"

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