Kreische Brewery – “Frisch Auf”

On a hillside bluff overlooking the Colorado River near La Grange lays the ruins of one of the first commercial beer breweries in Texas. Built by a German immigrant, Heinrick Kreische, the brewery was ingeniously devised to utilize the principles of physics and bring his favorite brew to share with his fellow Texans. Heinrick was a prominent stone mason of his time. Walking through the ruins of his brewery, one can appreciate his skills and hard work. The brewery was carefully laid out in a manner to utilize gravity  to transfer the spring water at the top of the hill down through a nine-step process to brew his beer. When his beer was ready for consumption, he would raise a banner with the German words “Freisch Auf” which means “Freshen Up!” This was the sign for the people of La Grange to come and party and enjoy the latest batch of beer.

As Suzanne and I viewed the ruins from above, I could only imagine how much fun it must have been to gather at the brewery and drink the fresh brew. The close knit German and Czech families surely enjoyed the traditions of their homeland as they congregated. Since the site is now part of a Texas State Park, I won’t be able to drink a beer here and toast this remarkable achievement. The best I can do is to share the story.

You see, while Heinrich Kreische was a prominent stone mason and innovator, what I am most impressed with was his commitment to watch over and preserve a sandstone tomb at the top of the hill on his property. This was the burial grounds of the remains of the Texans who died in the Dawson Massacre as well as those of the failed Mier Expedition best known for the Black Bean Death Lottery. These heroes will be forever remembered here on “Monument Hill” as it is called today because a German immigrant to Texas cared.

Walking along the trails in the park and checking out Heinricks home and outbuildings, I got a sense of the pride in the early immigrants to Texas. The beauty of the countryside is spectacular but the labor of love of the land is what makes this a great place to visit as we see Texas Thru My Back Door!