Family inherits 13,000 beer bottles—now what?
A family in Zülpich has finally cleared out an unexpected inheritance: a massive beer collection of around 13,000 bottles. The Mörsch family bought an old house earlier this year, only to discover the vast assortment left behind by the previous owner. The removal of the bottles was the first step toward renovating their new home.
The collection filled the house so completely that the family could not start repairs until it was gone. Transporting 10,000 bottles required two trucks and 400 butcher's crates, taking nearly two days to complete. The remaining bottles were stored temporarily at a nearby brewery.
A beer sommelier, Anna Bettu, visited the property to sample some of the expired brews. Despite her expertise, no immediate solution for the entire collection emerged. Over 50 collectors reached out with interest, but none could take all the bottles at once.
Dino Engelhardt, operations manager at Hofbräuhaus in Essen, later expressed a desire to use the bottles for decorating the brewery's walls. For now, the family has met their first deadline: clearing space. They must finish renovating at least one floor by the end of May to move in with their two daughters.
With the beer collection removed, the Mörsch family can now focus on their home's restoration. The bottles may yet find a new purpose, possibly as part of a brewery's decor. The family's priority remains making the house liveable before their deadline arrives.
