In 1849, German immigrant Heinrich Ludwig Kreische purchased 172 acres of land including the Dawson/Mier tomb, now known as Monument Hill State Historic Site. Master stonemason Kreische built a three-story house for his family. In the 1860s, he utilized the spring water from the ravine below his house and started one of the first commercial breweries in Texas. Walk the ruins of this once-bustling brewery and envision how Fayette County citizens would come and enjoy a pint of Kreische’s Bluff Beer while looking out toward the beautiful Texas landscape. The Kreische Brewery and home are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Hours
Open Daily
8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Visitors Center
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Pets on leash are welcome.
Tickets
Adult $5
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $3
Child (6-17) $2
Child (5 and under) Free
Ask about our annual membership
Programs
Public Tours
Living History Programs
Special Events
School Programs
See the site
Plan Your Visit
The sites provide daily access to the Kreische family home, ruins of the brewery, hiking trails, picnic grounds, and the visitor center with history exhibits.
Kreische Brewery History
Heinrich Ludwig Kreische was born in Saxony, Germany in 1821.
Monument Hill
Visit the final resting place of the brave individuals who lost their lives in the 1842 Dawson Massacre.
Join Us for Bluff SchuetzenFest
Celebrate the history of the Bluff Schuetzenverein at our annual family festival and Texas History on Tap fundraiser on Saturday, May 18.
Events at Kreische Brewery
Archeology Day at Kreische Brewery
Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.Can you dig it? Join us at the Texas Historical Commission's premier archeological site as we celebrate Texas Archeology Month with activities, tours, and more!
Memories of Monument Hill: A Lantern-Led Theatrical Experience
Saturday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.Join us for a nightly theatrical stroll recounting the events of the Dawson and Mier Expeditions.
Trail of Lights
Friday 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.Join Kreische Brewery and Monument State Historic Sites for their annual lighted trail and historical holiday extravaganza!
Kreische Brewery in the Blog
Brewing Heritage
In Texas, many German immigrants gravitated to an area roughly between Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, where they continued the customs of their homeland. Learn about the history of these sites and how they are still being used today.
Finding Fayette County
Discover the cultural heritage of Czech and German immigrants across Fayette County.
Support Our Historic Sites
Make a gift to the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting the historic sites of the THC.
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