London Coopers visit to Munich

London Coopers Meet Munich Coopers

Led by the Master, the Worshipful Company of Coopers enjoyed a highly successful visit to their counterparts in Munich (known locally as Schaeffler) from 29th January to 1st February. The programme offered a rich insight into Bavarian cooperage traditions, brewing heritage, and the cultural life of the city.

Highlights included a visit to the Wilhelm Schmid cooperage (Fassfabrik https://fass-schmid.de/), where members were able to see first-hand the craftsmanship and techniques of German coopers. The delegation also toured the beer cellars of Augustiner, Weiss Bräu and Hofbräu, gaining a deeper appreciation of Munich’s historic brewing culture and the vital role of coopers within it.

A particular privilege was witnessing the septennial Schaefflertanz, kindly arranged through the Painters and Varnishers’ Guild, providing a vivid link between craft guild traditions past and present. The visit was rounded off with a guided tour of Munich, allowing members to explore the city’s history and architecture.

Overall, the visit strengthened ties between the London and Munich coopers and offered an engaging blend of professional exchange, cultural celebration, and fellowship.

Thank you to all contributors of photos, and particularly to Liveryman Nicola Fyfe for the video content