Family-owned Palatia Malz combines
tradition and innovation
Over 120 years of experience in the production of BESTer malts:
The foundation stone was laid in 1899 – today, tradition and innovation go hand in hand.
Past and present
1899
On November 4, 1899, a flour mill was founded in Kreimbach-Kaulbach near Kaiserslautern
1904
In 1904 the flour mill was converted into a malthouse and the company was registered as a stock corporation
On November 4, 1899, a flour mill was founded in Kreimbach-Kaulbach near Kaiserslautern. Then as now, the region was known for its excellent conditions for growing malting barley. Consequently, the flour mill was converted into a malting plant in 1904. The company was registered as a joint-stock company The shareholders were breweries, which were keen on using their shares to ensure the supply of malt for their operations.
The history of the Schmeißbach Mill building goes back to the 16th century and, in addition to facilities for grinding grain, also housed an oil mill. Due to its location on the Schmeißbach, a tributary of the Lauter River, the mill is popularly known as “The Schmeißbach” (more details can be found in the archives of the Rheinpfalz daily newspaper).
Due to the aftermath of the world economic crisis, the malting plant gets into financial difficulties in 1929. Max Göhler takes over the management of the company and buys up a majority stake. He not only contributes his cross-generational knowledge of malting and brewing, but also invests in new equipment. This creates a solid basis for the company. In 1948, the Schmeißbach mill is structurally expanded. In 1953, the company was renamed “Palatia Malz Aktiengesellschaft”. The administrative headquarters are located in Heidelberg which is also the Göhler family’s place of residence.
1929
Max Göhler takes over the management of the company and buys up a majority of the shares
1948
In 1948 the Schmeißbacher mill was structurally expanded.
1953
In 1953 the company was renamed and was now called Palatia Malz Aktiengesellschaft.
1960
In the 1960s, Eberhard Göhler took over the business from his father Max Göhler.
1967
In 1967 the stock corporation became a limited liability company.
1987
In 1987, Eberhard Göhler acquired a malting business in Wallertheim near Mainz.
In the 1960s, Eberhard Göhler takes over the business from his father Max Göhler. In 1967, the stock corporation becomes a limited liability company.
In 1987, Eberhard Göhler acquires a malting plant in Wallertheim near Mainz. This second production facility is intended to increase the malt production capacity and take advantage of the logistical benefits of the Rhine-Neckar region: With good connections to the highway network and proximity to the Rhine ports of Mainz, Wiesbaden, and Worms, Eberhard Göhler paves the way for international trade.
Mälzereibetrieb in Wallertheim bei Mainz
2000
Under the leadership of the third generation of the family, Palatia Malt increasingly entered global sales shortly after the turn of the millennium.
2010
In the 2010s, the technology at the Kreimbach-Kaulbach malthouse was extensively renovated.
2018
In 2018 and 2019, the Wallertheim plant will be expanded to include a 2,500 square meter warehouse and logistics hall.
Under the leadership of the third generation of the family, Palatia Malz increasingly enters the global distribution business shortly after the turn of the millennium. In addition to building up the Bestmalz brand, investments are made in a roastery and a bagging plant at the Wallertheim site in order to be able to supply the emerging craft beer industry with base and specialty malts.
In the 2010s, the technology of the Kreimbach-Kaulbach malthouse is extensively renewed. In two construction phases, the refrigeration system, which is essential for malt production, is retrofitted. In two construction phases, the refrigeration system, which is essential for malt production, is retrofitted.
in 2018 and 2019, a 2,500-square-meter warehouse and logistics hall were added to the Wallertheim plant. A photovoltaic system was installed on the roof of the new hall.
For the development of new malts, but also for test maltings with raw materials from new harvests, a small-scale malting plant for the Kreimbach-Kaulbach mill was purchased and installed there in 2021
“What unites the three generations of the family is recognizing the signs of the times, but still not losing sight of quality and tradition. That’s what it was all about for my grandfather during the difficult years of the post-war period, and that’s what it’s still all about for us today,” states CEO Dr. Axel Göhler in 2022.”
