«Carl and Friedrich» - first brew house in Russia
29 августа 2014
Krestovsky Island in St.
Petersburg is the place of the most original and exciting entertainments of the
city. Here are located many fascinating and captivating amusements for people
of all ages – and this is known not only by Peter’s residents, but also by
guests of the capital of the North. But only a few people know that the story
of another popular amusement for adults started exactly here.
Here, in the northeast of St. Petersburg, 290 years ago, in 1724 Russian brew house originated. According to the legend, that time one German pastor Reichmuth lived. He had two sons – Carl and Friedrich that graduated Munich brewer school and wanted to set up a brew house in a new capital city. When the emperor became aware of that idea, he talked to Reichmuth and gifted him a land on the Krestovsky Island. The emperor had a conference with Carl and Friedrich, later on he laid the foundation stone of the first brew house in the Russian Empire. According to the idea, this brew house was supposed to have a malt-crashing windmill.
Here, in the northeast of St. Petersburg, 290 years ago, in 1724 Russian brew house originated. According to the legend, that time one German pastor Reichmuth lived. He had two sons – Carl and Friedrich that graduated Munich brewer school and wanted to set up a brew house in a new capital city. When the emperor became aware of that idea, he talked to Reichmuth and gifted him a land on the Krestovsky Island. The emperor had a conference with Carl and Friedrich, later on he laid the foundation stone of the first brew house in the Russian Empire. According to the idea, this brew house was supposed to have a malt-crashing windmill.
After a few months the emperor
died and German brewers had to leave Russia. But the business kept on existing.
Later on the story of the Reichmuths turned into legend in Petersburg and Bavaria.
Taverns that brewed beer were appearing thick and fast. Their owners said they
were keeping on the Reichmuth’s business. Many people used to do brewing on the
Krestovsky Island: Germans Krause and Baum, even Tartarian Yalishev.
At the end of the 19th century the restaurant “Krestovsky sud” was opened. The legend about Carl and Friedrich affected this restaurant’s concept: beer was considered to be the main drink here. Igor Severyanin, Alexander Block, Alexander Kuprin, Alexander Popov, Miklouho-Mackay – all these people used to visit this restaurant and have some beer.
At the end of the 19th century the restaurant “Krestovsky sud” was opened. The legend about Carl and Friedrich affected this restaurant’s concept: beer was considered to be the main drink here. Igor Severyanin, Alexander Block, Alexander Kuprin, Alexander Popov, Miklouho-Mackay – all these people used to visit this restaurant and have some beer.
In Soviet times “Krestovsky
sud” was considered to be unacceptable place for the victorious proletariat,
this place was burned. Instead of marvelous beer restaurant there was a waste
land where later on automobilists used to study.
The story got a new turn in 1999 when the descendant of Reichmuth,
Ludvig Reichmuth, came to Petersburg to research his family story. The
restaurant “Russkaya ribalka” was situated on the place where Peter ordered to
build a beer house, but Reichmuth got in touch with him and proposed a deal.
The businessman promised to share the family secret of beer production provided
that the new beer house of the Reichmuths would be built on its historic spot. Having received approval, Ludvig started
construction of the brew house. While breaking the ground the foundation stone
was discovered, it was dated 1725 and inscribed that «Hie
domini MDCCXXIV iussu imperatoris Russiae Petri I prima bracina Petropolitana
est.», which means that «Here in 1724 first Russian brewing was founded by order
of Peter the First». This Ludvig’s production was named “Carl and Friedrich” –
in memory of first brewers of the Krestovsky Island.
Nowadays this restaurant is the successor of the best traditions of the
Bavarian brewing and welcomes you its varied menu. According to information
from the official website, “Carl and Friedrich” offers dishes of “meat cuisine”.
Local brewers say: “Menu of this restaurant is the best that exists in the
European cuisine”. It is possible to see the whole list if dishes on the
official website of the brewing.
“Carl and Friedrich” is the only restaurant in St. Petersburg with the
real Biergarten -«beer garden» for 1000 people. During summer time from
Thursday to Sunday here you can see music performances and guests dance in the
open air. During other seasons performances are arranged in a special hall. The
restaurant’s hall is double leveled; first one is devoted for noisy
get-togethers, the second floor is for business meetings and solitary rest.
Yes, and, sure, beer. “Carl and Friedrich” has its own brewing where
several types of barley drink are being produced:
·
Carl I — pale barley hazy beer of low fermentation. Is of Pilsner beer
type. It has nice hop aroma and bold bitterness; is produced of pale barley
malt and aromatic hop.
·
Carl II – half-light barley hazy beer of low fermentation. It is of
Lager type. It has mild, slightly sweetish taste and malt aroma; is produced of
light barley malt, Munich malt and aromatic hop.
·
Carl III – light wheat hazy beer of top fermentation. It is of Weizen
type. This beer has specific aroma where you can notice flavors of “banana” and
“cloves” that is connected with the usage of special yeast. Aroma and high content
of carbon dioxide make the wheat beer very popular, especially in warm seasons;
is produced of barley and wheat malt and hop.
·
Friedrich – dark hazy barley beer of low fermentation. In a general
sense it is of the Lager type. In Germany it is called Dunkel. This beer is heavy,
it has sweetish caramelized taste of bread and some malt bitterness; is made
from light barley Munich caramelized and burnt hot.
Restaurant’s clients consider that this is the place where the best beer
in Petersburg is brewed. We suggest you neither to take our word, nor take
their word, but we suggest you to visit this place and to taste all you want.
After all a real traveler and a real beer-lover should visit “Carl and
Friedrich” in Petersburg; the same thing when you visit Munich, you definitely
visit Hofbräuhaus. We had a great cup of barley drink in the place where the
history of Russian brewing had started and we wish you to visit this place
also.
Ivan Kuznetsov, Gayanat project © 2014
