After a career in the police force and then the EU, it was a quest for the perfect pint of beer which led a German man to open his own brewery in Suffolk.  

Ulrich Schiefelbein is the owner of The Krafty Braumeister, an award-winning micro-brewery based in Leiston. With Oktoberfest just around the corner, this is one of the brewery’s busiest times of the year. 

“I love brewing, and I am still loving it, but I have never worked so many hours in my life!” laughed Mr Schiefelbein, 64.  

This is quite something, considering the rest of Mr Schiefelbein’s impressive CV. 

“I started out as a police officer in the German police force,” her explained. “But I left that job in the early 2000s and started working for the EU as a rule of law expert. 

“I went around the world to train the police, judges and prison governors about the rule of law, especially criminal law.” 

East Anglian Daily Times: Ulrich Schiefelbein was a police officer in Germany, then a rule of law expert for the European Union before he trained as a brewer. Image: Charlotte BondUlrich Schiefelbein was a police officer in Germany, then a rule of law expert for the European Union before he trained as a brewer. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)East Anglian Daily Times: Ulrich Schiefelbein first attempted making his own beer in Baghdad, Iraq. Image: Charlotte BondUlrich Schiefelbein first attempted making his own beer in Baghdad, Iraq. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

However, there was one particular part of life in Germany that Mr Schiefelbein sorely missed. 

“I’m a passionate beer drinker, and some of the beer in these countries was really not nice,” he explained. 

“So, we decided to brew our own beer. Everyone who went back to Europe on holiday had to bring back malt and hops in their suitcases. 

“In the beginning, it was really difficult. We were brewing in Baghdad, Iraq, and the climate was much too hot to ferment.  

“So, we learned how to brew bit by bit, and when I retired in 2017, I decided that I would like to do this commercially.” 

East Anglian Daily Times: Ulrich Schiefelbein explained that his brewery uses authentic German techniques. Image: Charlotte BondUlrich Schiefelbein explained that his brewery uses authentic German techniques. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)East Anglian Daily Times: A selection of beers brewed at the Krafty Braumeister. Image: Charlotte BondA selection of beers brewed at the Krafty Braumeister. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

However, he did not return to his native Cologne.  

“Love brought me to the UK,” said Mr Schiefelbein. He met his now-wife, Auriol, in Baghdad, a British woman who had family in Aldeburgh. The couple made the decision to set up home in Suffolk. 

“I love it here. I go for long walks with the dog, and I really enjoy the landscape. It’s wonderful to live here.” 

Once they had settled in England, Mr Schiefelbein began attending a brewing school in the Peak District and learned how to commercially produce beer of consistently high quality.  

“We use traditional German beer recipes, and brew in a very old-fashioned way,” explained Mr Schiefelbein. 

“My favourite style is my hometown beer from Cologne.” 

He is also proud of the brewery’s Schwarz & Weiss, which was awarded three stars at the Great Taste awards in 2021, and silver medal at the London Beer Competition later that year. 

The current customer favourite is a Munich Helles called ‘Blondie’. 

Currently, Mr Schiefelbein is busy preparing to supply the Hopsters Oktoberfest at Beach Street in Felixstowe on Saturday, September 30.