Beer in Wroclaw [PHOTOS, VIDEO]

"I have been working many years to establish a Wroclaw brand, something to be immediately recognised with the city," says Maciej Łagiewski, PhD, Head of the Wroclaw City Museum. "People in Toruń boast their gingerbread, those in Poznań boast their croissants, and so we should boast our beer because of the centuries-old local brewing tradition .

"Visitors keep asking me about the basis of Wroclaw's economy," says Maciej Łagiewski. "Wroclaw relied on beer. That's my answer."

Tankards, pitchers and barrels

The exhibition features artefacts which showcase the history of Wroclaw's brewing industry until 1945. It is no coincidence that they are presented at the Town Hall, since its basement is still home to one of Europe's earliest beer cellars, immortalised in a saying that "If you missed the Piwnica Świdnicka, you haven't been to Wroclaw at all".

The main section of the exhibition features tankards, pitchers, cups and bottles which were used to serve and consume beer in Wroclaw from the 18th to the 20th century as well as barrels in which amber brew was stored. The vessels are made of tin, pottery, earthenware, glass and even silver. They are often intricately decorated. The historic furnishing from the Town Hall's beer brewery make up an important section of the exhibition.

Different types of Strzegom's malt, one of the basic ingredients necessary for the brewing process, will also be on display. The exhibition is also the first opportunity since 1945 to see Eduard Kaempffer's oils representing Prussian soldiers and Wroclaw residents drinking beer at the Piwnica Świdnicka in 1741. The painting was made in 1907 as part of the commission to decorate the restaurant's interior. After 70 years of separation, the Piwnica Świdnicka's original grille made by Jaroslav Vonka also returns to the Town Hall.