On Saturday, the Open Day to mark the 135th anniversary of Feldschlösschen beckoned more than 17,000 visitors to the grounds of the brewery in Rheinfelden in typical midsummer weather.
Gaby Gerber, Chairwoman of the Open Day Organising Committee, delivers a positive summary of the anniversary event last Saturday at Feldschlösschen: “The cheerful and colourful atmosphere was simply brilliant, actually exceeding our highest expectations.” Including the festive activities in the evening, more than 17,000 visitors from every part of Switzerland and its neighbouring countries celebrated Feldschlösschen’s 135th anniversary in the castle grounds.
The jubilee event was launched at 11.00 am on Saturday with Feldschlösschen CEO Thomas Metzger and Chairman of the Board of Directors Thomas Amstutz performing the official tapping of the first keg. Afterwards, the “Notenhobler” band played traditional oompah music in the large marquee on the Schalanderplatz adjacent to the brewhouse.
Adventure trail through the brewery
On Saturday the visitors had the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of Feldschlösschen; furthermore, they were able to experience a varied programme with a range of entertaining attractions. The “Beer cult tour” – an adventure trail – took them through the brewery; at the individual stations, Feldschlösschen employees explained the brewing process and the differences between the different beer varieties and the raw materials used.
Every guest aged 18 or over was given their own beer pass, which was subsequently stamped at the individual stations. As an additional attraction, until Saturday 10 September 2011, a beer pass containing the full set of stamps entitles the bearer to consume a further Feldschlösschen beer at the special anniversary price of 1.35 Swiss francs in one of 15 signposted restaurants in the beer town of Rheinfelden.
A 135-year beer tradition
On 8 February 1876, the “Kollektivgesellschaft Wüthrich und Roniger Brauerei zum Feldschlösschen” brewed beer for the first time – 135 years ago. The Feldschlösschen Brewery’s two founding fathers, Theophil Roniger and Mathias Wüthrich, were present in person on the Open Day on Saturday – played by actors – telling their fascinating story.
The anniversary celebrations took place without any major incidents.