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.

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Location

414 TX-92 Spur  
La Grange, TX 78945 
979-968-5658
Contact us
See map

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Hours

Open Daily
8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Visitors Center
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Pets on leash are welcome.

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Tickets

Adult $5
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $3
Child (6-17) $2
Child (5 and under) Free

Ask about our annual membership

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Programs

Public Tours  
Living History Programs  
Special Events  
School Programs 

Brewery ruins

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.

Brewery ruins

Kreische Brewery History

Heinrich Ludwig Kreische was born in Saxony, Germany in 1821.

Dawson Massacre monument

Monument Hill

Visit the final resting place of the brave individuals who lost their lives in the 1842 Dawson Massacre. 

A woman in traditional German clothes holds a can of beer in a sunny field of grass

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

A group of four children dress up in archeological gear

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!

Scenic view of Colorado River from bluff with lush green trees

El Camino Real Day at Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill

Saturday 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Join us for special guided tours commemorating the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas trail.

An image of the tomb and monument at Monument Hill State Historic Sites

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.

Kreische Brewery in the Blog

Picture of a group of men enjoying samples of beer

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.

Picture of a courthouse

Finding Fayette County

Discover the cultural heritage of Czech and German immigrants across Fayette County.