Spessart Roots - A History of the People of a German Forest
Before the greatest waves of mass migration began, many brave individuals pulled up roots on their own. There is the fascinating story of one miner from the Spessart village of Edelbach, who emigrated to Greece.
Johann Georg Fix, founder of Fix Beer
One emigrant from the Spessart goes to Greece and starts the Fix Beer Dynasty.
…In desperation, the father [who had already emigrated] turned to both the king’s ministry in Athens and the foreign affairs office in Munich. King Otto graciously allowed Johann Georg Fix to make the trip on the royal ship, the British frigate HMS Madagascar, which was at the Greek king’s disposal. The son had to reach one of the ship’s ports of call, probably a port in Italy. Apparently enough money was scraped together for that portion of the trip.
It appears Johann Georg Fix had learned the beer-making business, very possibly at the suggestion of his father, and probably as an apprentice at one of the breweries in the Aschaffenburg area.
He only had a visitor’s pass, and legally could not stay in Greece. But Johann Georg Fix looked around him. He saw many Bavarian soldiers and immigrants—many thirsty Bavarian soldiers and immigrants. He was determined to stay…
… “Fix Beer” found an eager market. Not only did the soldiers and colonists become steady customers, but the Greeks tried it and loved it as well. Unlike other home-brewed beer in the town, Fix’s consistently had the best taste. Fix brewed his beer according to the Bavarian Purity Law for beer, the only ingredients, besides water, being barley, hops, malt, and yeast. He imported most of the ingredients from Bavaria. Fix was on his way to becoming the beer czar of Greece…
…In desperation, the father [who had already emigrated] turned to both the king’s ministry in Athens and the foreign affairs office in Munich. King Otto graciously allowed Johann Georg Fix to make the trip on the royal ship, the British frigate HMS Madagascar, which was at the Greek king’s disposal. The son had to reach one of the ship’s ports of call, probably a port in Italy. Apparently enough money was scraped together for that portion of the trip.
It appears Johann Georg Fix had learned the beer-making business, very possibly at the suggestion of his father, and probably as an apprentice at one of the breweries in the Aschaffenburg area.
He only had a visitor’s pass, and legally could not stay in Greece. But Johann Georg Fix looked around him. He saw many Bavarian soldiers and immigrants—many thirsty Bavarian soldiers and immigrants. He was determined to stay…
… “Fix Beer” found an eager market. Not only did the soldiers and colonists become steady customers, but the Greeks tried it and loved it as well. Unlike other home-brewed beer in the town, Fix’s consistently had the best taste. Fix brewed his beer according to the Bavarian Purity Law for beer, the only ingredients, besides water, being barley, hops, malt, and yeast. He imported most of the ingredients from Bavaria. Fix was on his way to becoming the beer czar of Greece…