Steamworks Vienna warehouse

At the time of its invention, the Vienna lager was a minor sensation: after Anton Dreher travelled to Germany and Great Britain, he returned to Klein-Schwechat and revolutionized the local brewing method in a sustainable way

Before Dreher's return, brewing in Austria and Germany was largely top-fermented and only when the temperatures allowed it The brewing season ran roughly from October to April, a little longer or shorter depending on the weather The brewing process required cooling, which, before the invention of ice cabinets, was achieved exclusively with natural ice and cool cellars Anton Dreher learned techniques on his journey that allowed year-round brewing and also came into contact with bottom-fermented beers The young brewer was enthusiastic and wanted to implement the tricks he had learned directly in his family's brewery However, he was initially met with reluctance: The brewers preferred to rely on what had been practiced for generations Armed with a thermometer, enthusiasm and a lot of stamina, Dreher won over his sceptical colleagues and conquered Austria with his Vienna lager, the first of its kind that could be brewed all year round

Even though the Vienna lager lost importance over the years, today it is once again one of the more popular beer styles in the craft beer movement. The Steamworks brewery also has a beer in its range that impresses with its harmonious character and fine maltiness.