Baderbräu
A Czech-style pilsner revived after bankruptcy and praised by Michael Jackson.
Baderbräu is a Czech-style pilsner beer first brewed in 1988 by the Pavichevich Brewing Company in Elmhurst, Illinois. It gained early acclaim and was praised by beer reviewer Michael Jackson as the best pilsener he had ever tasted in America. After the original brewery declared bankruptcy in 1997, the brand passed to Goose Island, which produced it until 2002, and was later revived by entrepreneur Rob Sama in the 2010s.
Quick Facts
- Hq Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Founded
- 1988
- Industry
- Alcoholic beverage
- Products
- Beer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Baderbräu was originally brewed from 1988 to 1997 by the Pavichevich Brewing Company, founded by Kenneth Pavichevich. In its early years, the beer won acclaim, and by 1990 more than 200 bars in the Chicago area carried it on tap. Later in 1990, the company made medical claims about Baderbräu, which were dropped after an FDA investigation. Attempts to distribute into Washington state further depleted the company's focus and resources. Boston Beer Company founder Jim Koch toured the company in 1990 and commented that Pavichevich could take away all his Chicago customers and still go bankrupt in two years. In 1997, the Pavichevich Brewing Company filed for bankruptcy and was liquidated at auction. An investment company called Prairie Associates acquired the Baderbräu trademark and formula, then sold it to Goose Island for more than $100,000 US. Goose Island brewed Baderbräu until 2002, winning a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1998 for the Bohemian pilsner category.
In 2010, entrepreneur Rob Sama registered the Baderbräu trademark and URL, sourced the original recipe including its proprietary yeast strain, and restarted the company. Baderbräu resumed brewing on a contract basis in 2012 with the assistance of original creator Douglas Babcook. In 2014, Sama leased a vacant warehouse on Chicago's South Side and converted it into a brewery and taproom, which opened in May 2016 and closed in June 2018.
Reader's Guide
Baderbräu's significance lies in its trajectory from a celebrated local pilsner to a brand that survived bankruptcy, changed hands, and was revived. It was one of the early American craft beers to adhere strictly to the Reinheitsgebot, using only malt, hops, water, and yeast. The beer's acclaim from Michael Jackson gave it early prestige, but the original company's financial struggles—exacerbated by questionable marketing and overexpansion—led to its downfall. The brand's revival by Rob Sama, who tracked down the original recipe and yeast, demonstrates the enduring value of a well-regarded trademark. The revival lasted only from 2016 to 2018, but the beer's history illustrates the volatility of the craft brewing industry. Baderbräu remains a notable example of a regional pilsner that achieved national recognition and later returned to the market through determined entrepreneurship.
Did You Know?
- Baderbräu was called by beer reviewer Michael Jackson 'the best pilsener I’ve ever tasted in America.'
- In 1990, the Pavichevich Brewing Company made medical claims about Baderbräu that were dropped after an FDA investigation.
- Goose Island won a silver medal with Baderbräu Pilsner at the 1998 Great American Beer Festival.
- The Baderbräu trademark was acquired by entrepreneur Rob Sama in 2010, leading to a revival that lasted from 2016 to 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Baderbräu?
Baderbräu is a Czech-style pilsner that originated in 1988 at the Pavichevich Brewing Company in Elmhurst, Illinois. It clocks in at 4.8% ABV and 38 IBUs, giving it a crisp, hop-driven character rooted in the traditional pilsner style.
What makes Baderbräu's recipe distinctive?
The beer is built on a mix of Czech and German Noble hops paired with American malts, all fermented with a proprietary European lager yeast strain the original brewery kept in-house. That specific ingredient combination set it apart from other domestic pilsners of the late 1980s and 90s.
Why did Baderbräu vanish from the market?
The Pavichevich Brewing Company went bankrupt in 1997, and the Baderbräu name was transferred to Goose Island, which continued producing it until 2002. After that point the brand effectively disappeared from shelves for well over a decade.
What did Michael Jackson say about Baderbräu?
The celebrated beer writer Michael Jackson named Baderbräu the finest pilsener he had ever tasted in the United States. That endorsement from one of the most respected voices in the craft world became a defining part of the brand's lore.
How was Baderbräu revived?
Entrepreneur Rob Sama took on the project in the 2010s, bringing the name and recipe back to life after years of absence. The revival allowed a new generation of pilsner fans to finally sample the beer that had earned such a devoted following in the 90s.
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