Who is Mad King Ludwig?
King Ludwig II (1845 – 1886) was King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death in 1886.
He was only 18 when he took the throne, and two years later, Bavaria and Austria fought a war against Prussia, which they lost. However, in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, Bavaria sided with Prussia against France, and after the Prussian victory, became part of the new German Empire led by Prussia.
Though Bavaria retained a degree of autonomy on some matters within the new German Reich, King Ludwig withdrew from day-to-day affairs of state and gravitated toward more extravagant artistic and architectural endeavors. He commissioned the construction of two lavish palaces and the renowned Neuschwanstein Castle (pictured above), and was a devoted patron of composer Richard Wagner. Ludwig spent all his royal income on these projects and borrowed extensively. This extravagant spending obsession was used against him to declare him insane.
Today, his architectural and artistic legacy includes many of Bavaria's most important tourist attractions.
The Mad Princes
In a Bucks County kitchen far, far away, two brothers clinked their pints of home brew and stared down destiny with their taste buds. Their palettes charged from years in the wine and coffee industries, Jim & Kurt Ludwig sought to brew uncommon and undervalued styles of beer. As the home brewing operation expanded, they moved from Jim's kitchen to the breezeway, then to the patio, the garage, and finally Mad Princes Brewing in Buckingham, PA.
Under a roof fit for a king, Jim took the royal Manager's seat, and Kurt donned the Brewmaster's crown.
Kurt Ludwig (left prince) + Jim Ludwig (right prince)
Knighthood status goes to CB Velo and other members of Jim's cycling team, who dedicated time and labor to making this brew house a home.
Equipment was purchased from 14th Star Brewing, a must-visit hotspot in St. Albans, Vermont.
