Owner

The Stiegl success story is inextricably linked with the name 'Kiener'

 When schoolchildren in Salzburg study the year 1492, not only do they learn about the discovery of America, they also learn about the founding of the Stiegl brewery in Salzburg.

 Since this first official mention Stiegl has been under continuous private ownership (Stiegl History). The Stiegl success story is inextricably linked with the name 'Kiener'.  The family has owned Austria's largest private brewery for around 120 years.

In 1889, Heinrich Kiener I took over at the helm. Heinrich Kiener II had a decisive influence on the brewery after the Second World War and implemented essential modernisation measures. Dr. Heinrich Dieter Kiener has guided the brewery successfully since 1990. Over this period Stiegl grew from a small, regional brewer to Austria's largest and most successful private brewery. Beer production has doubled since 1990.

Mr Kiener's wife, Alessandra Kiener (Mag.), is also employed within the company. They both live and work according to one of Stiegl's guiding axioms: 'Whatever you do - do it wholeheartedly', thus embracing quality without compromise. Growth at any price is not an option for this family-owned Salzburg enterprise.

Dr. Heinrich Dieter Kiener:

'Much has changed in the past 120 years, but one thing has stayed the same. Stiegl is owned by our family. This won’t change in the next 120 years, either. Quality and independence – these are my personal values.'

Dr. Heinrich Dieter Kiener was born in Salzburg on July 24th, 1956. As the great-nephew and adopted son of Heinrich Kiener II, he started preparing for his future as the head of Stiegl while he was still a boy.

He majored in law and management at the University of Innsbruck, and gained work experience in breweries and banks. He completed his job-specific technical training programme at the Doemens School, an educational and experimental institute for brewing, in Gräfeling near Munich.