All the facts and figures about the 2024/2025 remodelling
The renovation is complete and our beer garden is shining in new splendor! We're proud and excited about all the improvements we’ve made — especially when it comes to sustainability. You can take a look at the full story of the renovation here:
That was done:
After 25 years of full operation, it was time to modernize the building systems of the Tramdepot and make them more sustainable. The following work was carried out:
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Installation of a photovoltaic system on the roof ✔ •
Replacement of the gas heating system with a heat pump ✔ •
Replacement of the refrigeration systems in the brewery and kitchen (improved heat recovery) ✔ •
Renewal of sun protection in the beer garden ✔ •
Expansion of the storage area in the cellar ✔ •
New grease separator ✔ Fun fact: Because we would have disturbed the hibernation of our bear friends in winter, the work was carried out over the summer.
Procedure of the work
#10 End of January to end of March: The work is done
Our beer garden is finally complete! From now on, you can enjoy your beer under a custom-made sunshade that extends in all directions at the push of a button. It even stands up to light rain – so there's no need to rush inside during a quick shower, and your beer stays refreshingly undiluted 😉
Curious how our innovative heating and cooling system works? Feel free to check out this PDF:
Curious how our innovative heating and cooling system works? Feel free to check out this PDF:
#9 Beginning of December to end of January: Things are moving forward in leaps and bounds
During our company vacations, we reached some major milestones in our renovation work. The cooling system, the heating system and the Schock freezer have already been successfully put into operation. In the next few days, the last step will be to connect the cooling system for the brewery. We are also currently fine-tuning and optimizing to ensure that all systems are optimally coordinated.
With the completion of this work, we will soon be able to move on to the next and final step: The completion of our beer garden, which will be ready in time for the opening in April.
With the completion of this work, we will soon be able to move on to the next and final step: The completion of our beer garden, which will be ready in time for the opening in April.
#8 BEGINNING SEPTEMBER TO BEGINNING DECEMBER 2024: Commissioning
The shell is finished, the cover on the cellar is in place and the crane has been dismantled for some time. From the outside, not much has changed on the construction site, but work in the cellar is in full swing.
In the last few weeks, the refrigeration system has been connected and the interior work is in full swing.
This week we reached a milestone with the commissioning of the refrigeration system and the heating. Everything is now ready for the heating system to be relocated, which will take place during the company vacations in January.
In the last few weeks, the refrigeration system has been connected and the interior work is in full swing.
This week we reached a milestone with the commissioning of the refrigeration system and the heating. Everything is now ready for the heating system to be relocated, which will take place during the company vacations in January.
#7 Early August to early September 2024: Installation of the centrepiece
The centrepiece of our new systems has been installed over the last four weeks. The new CO2 booster was installed with the crane. This powerful booster will be part of the ultra-modern refrigeration system, which will be used as a heat pump, cold water system for the brewery as well as for plus and deep-freeze systems.
With the refrigeration system, energy storage and cold water storage, the most important and largest components are in place and nothing stands in the way of a cool beer in the future.
The floor was then poured. Now the structural work is slowly coming to an end, which also means that the huge crane will soon be dismantled.
With the refrigeration system, energy storage and cold water storage, the most important and largest components are in place and nothing stands in the way of a cool beer in the future.
The floor was then poured. Now the structural work is slowly coming to an end, which also means that the huge crane will soon be dismantled.
#6 beginning of july to beginning of august 2024: Floors and walls
A lot has happened this month. The foundations and walls were first boarded and then poured. The formwork for the ceiling is currently being completed, recognisable by the yellow panels.
In the next few days, reinforcing bars will be laid on top, into which pipes for power cables and water pipes will be pulled. As soon as the floor has been poured, the shell construction phase will slowly come to an end and the interior work will take over.
For anyone who would like more details, a fortnight ago the Bärner Bär conducted an interview with Benjamin Kobel, the foreman of our construction site.
In the next few days, reinforcing bars will be laid on top, into which pipes for power cables and water pipes will be pulled. As soon as the floor has been poured, the shell construction phase will slowly come to an end and the interior work will take over.
For anyone who would like more details, a fortnight ago the Bärner Bär conducted an interview with Benjamin Kobel, the foreman of our construction site.
#5 Beginning of June to beginning of July 2024: Concreting
Two months have passed since the start of construction. The pit has been excavated and it's time to start building the cellar.
First, a layer of gravel is applied. This layer is 40-50 cm thick and serves to improve the stability of the ground. The gravel also ensures that water can drain easily and that no water deposits form under the concrete.
The concrete is then poured on top of the gravel layer, which takes about a week. This concrete layer is 25 cm thick and forms the floor of the cellar. The next step is to build the walls. These are also made of concrete and, like the floor, are 25 cm thick.
The hole that can be seen in the picture is intended for the heat storage tank, as otherwise it would not fit.
First, a layer of gravel is applied. This layer is 40-50 cm thick and serves to improve the stability of the ground. The gravel also ensures that water can drain easily and that no water deposits form under the concrete.
The concrete is then poured on top of the gravel layer, which takes about a week. This concrete layer is 25 cm thick and forms the floor of the cellar. The next step is to build the walls. These are also made of concrete and, like the floor, are 25 cm thick.
The hole that can be seen in the picture is intended for the heat storage tank, as otherwise it would not fit.
#4 Beginning of May to beginning of June 2024: Excavation
Construction work really got underway exactly one month ago. Since then, the construction workers have braved the rain and tirelessly lifted material from our beer garden.
The excavation is being carried out in two stages. In between, the walls are being underpinned on three sides (i.e. secured against slipping). The first stage is now complete and the securing of the walls is in full swing.
At the deepest point, we are digging almost six metres into the ground. A total of around 1,350 cubic metres of material is being excavated. That corresponds to 2,700,000 half-litre beer glasses 😉
The excavation is being carried out in two stages. In between, the walls are being underpinned on three sides (i.e. secured against slipping). The first stage is now complete and the securing of the walls is in full swing.
At the deepest point, we are digging almost six metres into the ground. A total of around 1,350 cubic metres of material is being excavated. That corresponds to 2,700,000 half-litre beer glasses 😉
#3 Mid-April to the beginning of May 2024: Construction site installation
During these three weeks, the construction site was prepared for the ‘real’ start of construction. All safety precautions for traffic and pedestrians are now in place. In addition, the necessary infrastructure for the construction site has been set up and the necessary equipment and machines have been moved to the beer garden.
Most importantly, a temporary cooler was installed on the roof of the Kesselhaus and put into operation so that our brewery can continue brewing seamlessly.
Now the excavation work can definitely begin next week.
Most importantly, a temporary cooler was installed on the roof of the Kesselhaus and put into operation so that our brewery can continue brewing seamlessly.
Now the excavation work can definitely begin next week.
#2 Mid-March to mid-April 2024: Crane erection and preparation of beer garden
Due to the hillside location and the difficult access to the beer garden, all the work had to be carried out from above. A concrete platform was first erected to give the crane a secure footing.
In the meantime, we have cleared the beer garden and prepared everything.
Three of our large umbrellas will continue to be used at the front of the Bäre Balkon. We have sold the remaining three.
Fun fact: the large wooden table in the centre of the beer garden has seen its best days and we are giving it to the bears to play with. It will be lifted from the beer garden into the Bärengraben by crane.
In the meantime, we have cleared the beer garden and prepared everything.
Three of our large umbrellas will continue to be used at the front of the Bäre Balkon. We have sold the remaining three.
Fun fact: the large wooden table in the centre of the beer garden has seen its best days and we are giving it to the bears to play with. It will be lifted from the beer garden into the Bärengraben by crane.
#1 End of December 2023 to mid-February 2024: Installation of photovoltaic system on Trämli roof
During the first six weeks of the construction phase, a photovoltaic system was installed on the roof of the tram depot and put into operation. We are proud that we can now cover around 10% of our electricity requirements with our own system.
