"We started a lot of things totally naively, did a lot of crazy things," she says, "that has sometimes cost a strain of nerves." For example, the idea of building a mobile brewery that could change locations if necessary: Composed of 38 containers, the Brlo-Brwhouse is one of the largest container buildings in Europe and an architectural sensation. Nowhere else in Berlin can you experience beer culture in a more urban way. The food on offer is also exceptional – a multi-award-winning cuisine that does not forgo meat, but is primarily based on vegetables: grilled, fermented, pureed, pickled and matched with BRLO beers. "We've broken completely new ground, proving that a brewhouse menu doesn't have to be meat-heavy. On the contrary, our guests find that they don't need meat at all with the aromatic vegetable dishes," Kurz says. For the food concept, the founding team brought in chef Ben Pommer, who is now also part of the management team. "We wanted to shake up beer culture, and we certainly did that within our scope," Kurz says, "but we also had to learn how much you have to adapt to the market and the system." 

 

Women should find allies  

It is not self-evident to assert yourself as a woman in an industry that has a strong masculine character - as could be seen in the #MeToo debate, which has also left its mark on the craft beer scene, says Kurz. For a woman to make her way, she advises finding allies and trusting in the solidarity of allied women AND men: "I have great co-founders by my side who have had my back especially in the beginning." She also believes it's about being visible and proving standing. "You have to speak the same language, and at the same time not bend," Kurz says. She has learned to reject sexist remarks in a smug way. 

 

Challenging Stereotypes 

In addition to the Covid crisis, Kurz counts leading employees as one of her biggest learning tasks. "Personally, it's important to me that everyone who works for us has fun and realizes that we want to make a difference." As she tells it, BRLO defined a "purpose," an inner alignment, two years ago. It is "Challenging Stereotypes", which essentially means to challenge people’s perceptions. Kurz exhales as she says this, and suddenly the picture becomes complete. Like a common thread, this motif runs through the BRLO appearance, whether it's the labels, the food to go with the beer, or the look-and-feel of their hospitality, not to mention the choice of name: "BRLO" poses riddles, the solution to which has been published many times. 


At the beginning, they were not aware of their alignment, Kurz says. But when they worked it out in a workshop, it became clear that it had always been part of the BRLO DNA - and also a personal, inner concern of Katharina Kurz. "Our Purpose gives us a valuable framework today," she says. And for employees, it's gold when they know what their employer stands for. This understanding unites and binds! Fortunately, the industry itself also contributes to employee loyalty, Kurz says: "We're dealing with products and places that bind a team together. The mood rises noticeably when the beer garden is open and we can sit together there after work." Even former employees join in. 


BRLO has survived the Covid crisis. The focus on new sales channels was the salvation and has succeeded not least thanks to Marcus Thieme. The former Brewdog Germany CEO has been responsible for sales in the position of "Chief Operating Officer" since 2021. "We are at an exciting point. Our brand building is being very well rewarded right now," Kurz is pleased to say, "We have super sales growth. Internationally, we're finding great partners." They are now listed with Whole Foods in the USA, he says. A remarkable success! "At the same time, we want to expand our hospitality business and bring the BRLO pub experience to many places," Kurz tells us. 

 

Beer diversity is going to take a lot of staying power

 
Her enthusiasm gives way to humility when she thinks about the sociopolitical situation. "We are at a turning point. The important thing now is to focus," she stresses. That means leaving out everything that is not necessary. Only "what really matters - what really moves us forward," Kurz says. This also includes optimizing internal processes. - The industry is facing far-reaching changes that are in particular costing the craft beer scene a lot of energy: "I still believe in beer diversity," Kurz emphasizes, "but it's going to take a lot of staying power now, because the market situation and beer prices in Germany are frustrating." 


Demanding requirements! Where does Katharina Kurz find balance? - She laughs, "I wish I could say it was in sports." - No, it's much better. Kurz gave birth to her son a year and a half ago. They leads a happy family life together with her wife and her wife’s daughter. "I take great joy in being a mother and draw a lot of energy from it," she says.    

And then there's indeed something about sports: "My new passion and my nicest side project is FC Viktoria." Together with five other entrepreneurs, Kurz has spun off the FC Viktoria women's team, that is, turned it into a GmbH (limited liability company), with which they want to establish a brand for women's soccer in Berlin. Competitive payment, digital membership model and the acquisition of sponsors are on the agenda, a lighthouse project in soccer with the sporting goal of "First Bundesliga". Guaranteed, this project will significantly change the perception of women's soccer and stadium beer. We thank Katharina and her co-founders for this already!