The Story Behind Washington, DC's Gothic Castle Brewery, Christian Heurich House
The Christian Heurich House, better known to Washingtonians as The Brewmaster’s Castle, was once the home of one of the largest private employers in Washington DC. It still serves as one of the most historic places in the country to grab a beer.
The house was built in the 1890s by German immigrant, Christian Heurich, who wanted to build a beer empire when he came to the US in 1866 with just $200 to his name. Over the years, he grew to be Washington’s largest private employer with the Christian Heurich Brewing Company. The brewery operations were located at the current site of the Kennedy Center, but shut down in 1955.
The grand Victorian-style house, located just south of Dupont Circle, was built using the wealth from his brewing business. The house features elaborate Gothic design with stone arches and a tall tower. The house has a number of ornate elements (15 carved fireplaces, gilded furniture) and Heurich was a forward-thinker who equipped his home with state-of-the-art technology for the era, with central heating and gas-electric hybrid lamps.
Christian Heurich and his family lived in the house until his death in 1945, at the age of 102. His wife then gave the house to the Washington Historical Society, who took up shop there in 1956. The Christian Heurich Brewing Company itself closed down just over a decade later, and was demolished in 1962 for the building of the John F Kennedy Center For Performing Arts.
Heurich’s home has come to life as a national historic landmark. After the Historical Society restored it, visitors are invited to tour the house and regular beer events are held in the space. A monthly beer tasting called “History and Hops,” is a great event to attend if you want to explore the history, where visitors can have a beer while taking tours of the amazing rooms in this house.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.