Rothaus Brewery — Tannenzäpfle, guided tour and tips from the hotel

The Rothaus brewery in Grafenhausen is a 15-minute drive from the Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde and is one of the most popular destinations for our hotel guests who want to combine half a day's holiday with a bit of regional culture. We have been recommending the brewery for years — usually as a morning excursion followed by lunch at the „Brauereigasthof Rothaus“.

This page gives an honest overview of what awaits hotel guests on site: brewery tour, Tannenzäpfle tasting, directions, reservation notes and tips for combining it with other activities in the region.

Rothaus at a glance

• Location: Grafenhausen-Rothaus, a 15-minute drive from the hotel
• Altitude: 974 metres above sea level
• Founded: 1791 as the abbey brewery of the Benedictine monks of St. Blasien
• Today: Staatsbrauerei Rothaus AG, owned by the state of Baden-Württemberg
• Best-known product: Tannenzäpfle (pilsner in the green 0.33 l swing-top bottle)
• Brewery tour: approx. 90 minutes, advance reservation recommended
• Brewery restaurant: regional cuisine, lunch menu from 12 noon

History — from monastic beer to state brewery

The brewery was founded in 1791 by Benedictine monks from St. Blasien when the monastic community needed a supply point for the farms in the region. With secularisation in 1806, the business passed to the Grand Duchy of Baden and became a state brewery. This makes Rothaus one of the few breweries in Germany that is still publicly owned today — the state of Baden-Württemberg has been the owner since 1952.

The well-known logo featuring the girl „Biergit Kraft“ and the two „Tannenzäpfle“ was introduced in 1972. Until then, the pilsner was simply called "Pils Spezial". Today's name and appearance go back to the brewery's director at the time, Karl Schäuble.

The brewery tour

The official brewery tour lasts 90 minutes and costs €12 per person (as of 2026). Included are:

• Tour of the brewhouse, lagering cellar and bottling plant
• Explanation of the brewing process with real cuvée stations
• Tasting of four varieties at the end
• three-bottle gift pack to go

Reservations are compulsory. This can be done online via the brewery's website or by telephone. At weekends and during the Advent season, tours are often fully booked weeks in advance. Those who are flexible can usually still get a place during the week — we recommend the morning tour at 10 am.

The tour is not suitable for visitors with restricted mobility — stairs, tight spaces and a cellar section with low ceilings make it unsuitable for wheelchairs. It is of interest with children from around the age of 10; younger children are generally quickly overwhelmed by the machinery.

What to try during the tasting

Rothaus produces eight main beers. Four are available to choose from during the guided tasting session. Our recommendations:

• Tannenzäpfle Pils — the classic. Slim, bitter note, hoppy. What made the brewery famous.
• Hefeweizen - fruity, naturally cloudy, compelling in summer. Anyone who likes wheat beer and wants to try something outside the Bavarian style will find a distinct character here.
• Icicle — the winter beer. Bottom-fermented, easy to drink, slightly more malty than the Tannenzäpfle. Seasonal from November to February.
• Märzen – amber-coloured lager, malcy, from April to June. A pleasant bridge between pilsner and darker beers.

If you are less keen on beer, the „Zäpfle-Stüble“ also serves a house-made apple spritzer made from regional orchard meadows. The apple juice is the brewery's own product and is surprisingly good.

Brewery pub — where the food is best

Right next to the brewery stands the „Brauereigasthof Rothaus“. It is set up as an inn, featuring Black Forest parlours, a regional menu and a beer garden that is open in good weather. The beer garden is considered the highest-altitude one in Germany (974 m), which is a nice conversational tidbit, but practically speaking does not make much difference.

What we recommend:

• Black Forest sausage salad with artisan bread
• Trout from local streams, baked or meunière style
• Homemade Maultaschen in broth
• Game bratwurst (venison or red deer, depending on the season)
• Black Forest gateau for dessert

The menu isn't huge, but it's honest. A main course costs between 14 and 24 euros (as of 2026). Booking is recommended on Sundays and public holidays. Dogs are welcome in the beer garden and in part of the dining rooms.

Directions from the hotel

The route from the Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde to Grafenhausen-Rothaus:

• Distance: 12 kilometres
• Travel time: 15 to 18 minutes
• Route: B500 towards Bonndorf, then the L154 to Grafenhausen
• Parking: free of charge in front of the brewery, more than 100 spaces
• Bus: route 7321, stop „Grafenhausen Rothaus“, reduced timetable at weekends

It is a ten-minute walk from the brewery to the centre of Grafenhausen. Anyone wanting to make a longer day trip can easily include the historic town centre, the Schwarzwald-Park (mini animal park) and the Schwarza waterfalls.

Three combinations for a full day

Combo 1 — Brewery + Tannenmühle (Families)

In the morning, brewery tour at 10 a.m. (for adults), in the afternoon to „Hotel Tannenmühle“ — just five minutes further on, with a petting zoo, playground and trout ponds, free to visit. In the evening, sauna at the hotel.

Combo 2 — Brewery + Schluchsee (Hiking)

Morning brewery tour, followed by a 25-minute drive to Lake Schluchsee. Hike around the northern section of the lake (from Aha to Schluchsee village, approx. 6 km). Lunch right by the lake at Strandcafé Aha. Return journey in the late afternoon.

Combo 3 — Brewery + Black Forest Model Making (Bad Weather)

When it rains, a visit to the „Schwarzwaldhaus der Sinne“ in Grafenhausen is well worth it — a small interactive exhibition about sensory perception, about a 20-minute walk from the brewery grounds. Admission €8, great for families.

Seasonal advice

The brewery inn is open from early February to mid-Wednesday, and Wednesday is usually a day off (check in advance). During Advent, the brewery organises a small Christmas market in the brewery courtyard — with home-brewed mulled beer (a speciality) and a concert on the third weekend of Advent. Tickets are available online in advance.

In summer, the beer garden is open daily (except when it rains). In winter, the interior is well-filled, especially at weekends — booking is recommended.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy beer direct from the brewery?

Yes, in the on-site factory shop. Tannenzäpfle in the 0.33-litre swing-top bottle, all seasonal varieties and gift cartons. A bit cheaper than in the supermarket, but with the factory experience and the opportunity to get special varieties that are barely available regionally.

Are there any non-alcoholic options?

Yes, the alcohol-free Tannenzäpfle has been available since 2014 and is also available to taste. Alongside that, there is apple juice spritzer and coffee.

Can you take part in the tasting with your dog?

Dogs are welcome in the „Zäpfle-Stüble“ and beer garden. The actual brewery tour is without dogs for hygiene reasons.

Which day of the week is the quietest?

From experience: Tuesday and Thursday are the quietest days. Sunday afternoons are busy, as are Saturday mornings.

Black Forest Gourmet Hotel Package„

Several of our packages include the brewery tour with tasting — such as the „Black Forest Indulgence“ weekend, which combines two overnight stays with pampering half-board, a 4-course menu with beer pairing on the evening of arrival, and the brewery tour on the following day. Price from €218 per person in a Comfort double room.

Direct bookings via sonnenhof-sonnhalde.de save up to 35 % compared to booking portals. We are happy to reserve the brewery tour in advance for your preferred time. Enquire by phone on 07743 9201-0 or by email to info@sonnenhof-sonnhalde.de.

Also of interest: Places of interest in the Black Forest · Hiking the Wutach Gorge · Todtnau Suspension Bridge