A star on every slope: Markus Wasmeier keeps traditional Bavarian customs alive

The name Markus Wasmeier stands not only for athletic excellence, but also for passion and a deep connection to his homeland. With the Markus Wasmeier Open-Air Museum in Schliersee, he has created a refuge for Bavarian traditions – including his own brewery. Stainless steel kegs from SCHÄFER Container Systems, which have become brand ambassadors themselves thanks to their custom branding, ensure a distinctive appearance.

Wasmeier made sporting history as a two-time Olympic champion and world champion. He first stood on skis at the age of two and achieved his first World Cup victory at just 21. After numerous successes and challenges, he crowned his career in Lillehammer in 1994 with two Olympic gold medals in the Super-G and giant slalom. This was the first time in 58 years that Germany had won Olympic gold in alpine skiing.

A skiing legend and a true Bavarian
Markus Wasmeier is just as successful off the slopes: after his active sporting career, he embarked on a new, equally passionate chapter as a successful entrepreneur. The founding of the Markus Wasmeier Open-Air Museum in Schliersee, for example, is worthy of gold: The Farm and Winter Sports Museum, a lovingly reconstructed historical Bavarian village, is a project close to the heart of the double Olympic champion and world champion. “Since the opening of our museum, I see myself as a mediator of culture and history. I want to bring traditions and customs to life, tell their stories, and keep them alive for future generations,” says Markus Wasmeier.

In the museum village, visitors immerse themselves with all five senses in an almost forgotten time. Traditional crafts such as shoemaking and blacksmithing remain alive, and beer is brewed according to old methods. "Mountain sheep bleat, pigs grunt, and bees buzz through the blooming farm gardens. The air is filled with the scent of fresh herbs, homemade cakes, and bread baked in a wood-fired oven," says Markus Wasmeier, describing the scene at Schliersee.

Brewing according to old traditions

The in-house brewery is both the heart of the museum and a magnet for visitors. In the annex of the old Bavarian inn “Beim Wofen” is a traditional beer brewing brewery – here, the craft is practiced as it was 300 years ago. And that's not all: beer lovers can even actively participate in the brewing process and, after an eventful day, officially call themselves “brewing assistants.”

The brewery and museum village exemplify the idea of combining tradition and modernity. This is reflected in the individual branding of the kegs, which SCHÄFER Container Systems implemented in close cooperation with Markus Wasmeier. The lovingly designed kegs convey an authentic message to visitors. Both 20-liter DIN kegs and 30-liter DIN PLUS kegs with premium branding are used in Wasmeier's brewery.

Stainless steel kegs with premium branding
"The attractive design of the kegs brings our own fine beer brand to life and skillfully rounds off the experience in our traditional Bavarian tavern. The advice and implementation provided by SCHÄFER Container Systems exceeded my expectations," emphasizes Markus Wasmeier. The KEG manufacturer not only offers a comprehensive range of durable, reusable, and therefore particularly sustainable beverage packaging, but also a wide selection of branding processes that enable personalized designs on the stainless steel kegs. The eye-catching options range from so-called in-mold labeling with a carrier film to electrochemical signatures and embossing on stainless steel to multicolor screen printing on partial or full coatings.

Edward Ros, Sales Manager at SCHÄFER Container Systems, is also enthusiastic about the collaboration with the sports legend and successful entrepreneur: “The brewery at the Markus Wasmeier Open-Air Museum is a prime example of how individually designed kegs can serve to strengthen brands emotionally and sharpen their profile. Each keg tells a story and thus conveys the idea and values of the village to guests.”

Wasmeier's museum village impressively demonstrates that tradition and contemporary marketing can go hand in hand. The individually designed kegs from SCHÄFER Container Systems have become essential brand ambassadors for the historic brewery.