A beer revived after forty years of silence, a twisted bread that became a region's emblem: in Strasbourg, culinary heritage is lived as much as it is tasted. AC Private opens its most confidential doors to you.
Living heritage · Gastronomy · Strasbourg
Brasserie Perle & the bretzel: the artisanal soul of Alsace.
A beer revived after forty years of silence; a twisted bread become the emblem of an entire region. In Strasbourg, gastronomic heritage is lived as much as it is tasted. AC Private - Luxury concierge opens its most confidential doors to you.
True luxury, sometimes, has no logo. It hides in know-how passed down over five generations, in the patience of a fermentation, in the gesture of an artisan twisting dough as it has always been done. In Strasbourg and its region, two symbols embody this discreet excellence: the Brasserie Perle and the bretzel. Two Alsatian stories that AC Private - Luxury concierge loves to reveal to its clients, far from the tourist trails.
Brasserie Perle: the rebirth of a legend
The story of the Brasserie Perle is an Alsatian novel. Founded in 1882 in Schiltigheim by Pierre Hoeffel — who brought together two historic establishments, the Tête Noire brewery (1383) and the Ville de Vienne brewery (1794) — the Perle knew its golden age in the 20th century. Under the leadership of Charles Kleinknecht, who took over its direction in 1919, it reached a production of 300,000 hectolitres after the Second World War. That era even saw the emergence of one of the first female brewing engineers, Frédérique Kleinknecht, known as "Tante Riquette", who graduated in 1929.
Then came the silence. In 1969, the Perle joined the Alsacienne de Brasserie before closing its doors for good in 1971. The brand could have vanished forever — but for Christian Artzner, the founder's great-great-grandson, who revived production in 2009. First brewed abroad, the beers regained a Strasbourg anchorage in 2015 with a production unit in the Meinau district. In 2023, the brewery took a new step, moving into a passive timber building at 10 place de l'Abattoir, in the Cronenbourg district — a site of around 7,000 hectolitres a year with a welcome space, "Chez Perle", featuring a shop and a Bierstub.
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Request a free quoteFive generations, two centuries, a rebirth: the Perle tells the story of brewing Alsace at its most authentic. To taste a Perle today is to taste a living memory.
The bretzel: an emblem born of a legend
It is impossible to evoke Alsatian heritage without the bretzel. This twisted bread, recognisable among all, probably owes its name to the Latin brachitella (from brachium, the "arm") — in reference to its shape evoking arms folded across the chest. While its origins may date back to the 8th century, Alsatian legend places its invention in 1477, near Bouxwiller: a baker threatened with execution is said to have been saved thanks to the shape inspired by his wife praying with crossed arms, while a cat accidentally knocked bicarbonate onto the dough, creating its glossy, crispy crust.
Beyond industrial production, the tradition of the "bretzelier" lives on through artisanal houses devoted to quality — some passing down traditional recipes while offering modern variations. But as the artisans remind us, while flavours may vary, the shape remains the intangible DNA of the Alsatian bretzel.
For the curious, La Fabrique à Bretzels, in Gundershoffen (around thirty to forty minutes from Strasbourg), offers an immersive 500 m² visitor trail. Operated by the family firm Boehli, which has upheld the tradition since 1935, it reveals the history and making of this emblematic speciality, with tastings at the "Bretzel'Bar" and a boutique.
Living the heritage, the AC Private way
Knowing these places is one thing; accessing them in the best conditions is another. AC Private - Luxury concierge, born in Strasbourg, composes confidential gastronomic experiences for its clients: private visits to artisanal breweries, guided tastings, encounters with the artisans, journeys through Alsace's living heritage and exceptional tables. Another way to discover Alsace — through taste, craftsmanship and authenticity.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the Brasserie Perle in Strasbourg?
Since 2023 the brewery has a welcome space, "Chez Perle", at 10 place de l'Abattoir (Cronenbourg district), with a shop and a Bierstub. AC Private arranges visits and tastings in the best conditions for its clients.
Where can you discover bretzel-making near Strasbourg?
La Fabrique à Bretzels, in Gundershoffen (around 30 to 40 minutes from Strasbourg), offers an immersive trail on the history and making of the bretzel, operated by the Boehli house, active since 1935.
Where does the Alsatian bretzel come from?
Its name is thought to derive from the Latin brachitella ("little arm"), in reference to its shape. Alsatian legend places its invention in 1477 near Bouxwiller, though older origins are sometimes mentioned.
Does AC Private offer experiences around Alsatian gastronomy?
Yes. We design bespoke gastronomic journeys in Alsace: private visits, tastings, encounters with artisans and exceptional tables, tailored to each client's wishes.
Alsace is not to be visited: it is to be savoured. Let AC Private - Luxury concierge open the doors of its living heritage to you, where luxury meets authenticity.
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Alexandre Emmelin
Founder, AC Private
Alsatian entrepreneur, Alexandre founded AC Private with one conviction: true luxury is reclaimed time. He personally leads the most sensitive missions and writes a monthly editorial sharing his vision of exceptional concierge service.
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