Hofbräuhaus Art Mill Monument with flour shop and bakery

The Jakob Blum Hofbräuhaus art mill in the old town is Munich's only active flour mill. On guided tours, visitors can learn everything about the artisanal production process of flour. The finished product can be purchased in the adjoining shop; fine baked goods are offered by the in-house bakery E. Knapp & R. Wenig.

Traditional craftsmanship is considered a rare commodity these days. This makes it all the more important to make handicraft businesses more visible. In the case of the Hofbräuhaus Kunstmühle in Munich's old town, this intention can be taken literally, as it is somewhat hidden in a small side street not far from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

As inconspicuous as the entrance to Munich's only still active flour mill may appear, visiting the protected architectural monument is impressive and highly recommended.

The mill has existed since 1570, but malt was produced for brewing beer instead of flour. The mill owes part of its present name to its close proximity to the "Königliches Weißes Bräuhaus", today's Hofbräuhaus am Platzl. The other is due to the miller Jakob Blum, who acquired the mill in 1921.

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Today, his descendant Stefan Blum and his wife Martina Blum-Lemberger are the fourth generation to run the historic site. Up to 30 tonnes of wheat flour are milled daily, still by using machines over 100 years old. On Fridays, you can take a guided tour of the mill to see the beautiful old equipment with the charm of times gone by.

The finished product, in turn, can be bought in the next-door flour shop, along with other selected grain products - from oat flakes to muesli toppings, bread baking mixes to spices. "We attach great importance to organic quality as well as regionality and also supply Munich's starred restaurants," Martina Blum-Lemberger tells us.

In addition, the fine flour from the Hofbräuhaus art mill is used every morning to make hearty loaves of bread and sweet pastries by hand according to historical recipes in the in-house bakery E. Knapp & R. Wenig. If you would like to try your hand at baking yourself, you can book a place on the regular baking courses.

The Jakob Blum Hofbräuhaus-Kunstmühle is a place based on tradition and customs, where old crafts can be experienced with all the senses.

Nina Zeller

Author Munich