Face of the Island: Castle Owner Jan Fidora

What other beers does your brewery produce?

We generally have four types of beer on tap at any given time. The two standard varieties are available year-round. These include the Mellenthiner Hell, with an original gravity of 12.5 percent (5 percent alcohol by volume), and the Mellenthiner Dunkel. The latter is a lovely dark, malty beer that also has an original gravity of 12.5 percent.
And then we always have two rotating beers, of which I only brew one at a time. Once that’s sold out, the next variety takes its place. Currently, we’re offering a wonderful red beer made from aronia berries, as well as the ginger-rusks-cardamom beer, which I personally consider one of my best creations. And I’ve brewed beer from all sorts of ingredients—for example, apples, coffee, bread, potatoes, and rice.

How did you get into brewing beer?

I actually started out as a dishwasher, then completed an apprenticeship as a hotel manager and worked in that field for a few years. Then I reached a point where I asked myself what I really wanted out of life—or if that was all there was to it. Two things have always interested me: glassblowing and beer. That’s how the idea of starting a pub brewery came about. I completed an apprenticeship as a brewer and maltster and worked in the field for a while to save up some capital.

As a family, we decided to move to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. For two years, we searched for a suitable property for the pub brewery. We’d never set our sights on a castle. Eventually, we ended up here on Usedom and, by chance, bought a daily newspaper. It said that the castle was up for sale. We went to take a look on a whim and discovered a little Sleeping Beauty castle.

The municipality sold the castle not based on price, but on the business concept. There were 32 bidders in total, and we were awarded the contract with our brewery. Little by little, we brought the various components—such as the brewery and the hotel—to life.

What other plans do you have for Mellenthin Water Castle?

We’re currently planning a distillery with two stills, so in the future the castle will also offer distilled whiskey, gin, Korn, and similar spirits. Then we’ll have pretty much covered all the excise taxes here (laughs). We also want to create even more play areas for children.

Your passion for beer even goes so far that you have hopped wine on the menu.

Yes, that also came about by chance. I was standing in the courtyard when my wine supplier stopped by and asked me if I’d like to sell his wine in the castle shop. I was reluctant at first, because after all, we’re a brewery. Then I suggested to him that we do something with his wine that would also suit us. After all, I figured the cold-hopping method must work with wine too. No sooner said than done. So we tried out different varieties of hops and grapes. Together with the winemaker, all three of us were surprised by what a great product came out of it. It’s a real crowd-pleaser that’s been a hit.

We’ve talked a lot about alcohol, but you also have something to offer for those who don’t drink.

Exactly. We also have a coffee roastery and a lemonade factory in the castle. We always have four different kinds of lemonade in our lineup. In addition to the classics—cola, orange, and lemon—there’s a seasonal lemonade, such as elderflower or hop lemonade. At the roastery, we always make a “Castle Blend” consisting of four varieties. In the castle shop, you can even buy single-origin coffee.

Can visitors tour the brewery and coffee roastery at your castle?

Of course. We offer regular tours of the brewery. During these tours, I always try to teach visitors how to brew beer so that they can do it themselves at home using everyday kitchen items. I also started at home with my grandma’s canning pot and kept at it until it broke. You’re welcome to take a look around the coffee roastery on your own anytime.

Does the secret recipe for the legendary waffles from the moated castle also come from the grandmother who helped kickstart your brewing career with that preserving pot?

That's exactly the grandma in question. And the story about the recipe is actually true. Since our own attempts didn't turn out so well, I called Grandma, and she shared her recipe with me.

Will you tell us the secret to the waffles?

It’s actually a relatively simple recipe. The secret is a small amount of whole wheat flour.

What ultimately motivated you to settle here on Usedom and fulfill your dream of owning your own brewery and restaurant?

Besides finding the right property—the Mellenthin moated castle—it’s clearly the people who make Usedom what it is. There’s just such a warm sense of community among the island’s residents. That’s why the slogan “A Place to Live” fits perfectly here.

What’s your favorite spot on Usedom?

My favorite place is, of course, the brewery. But I enjoy nature and tranquility most on the Achterwasser, where I go out on my sailboat.

Thank you very much for the interview!