"I always say that we Rhinelanders are so cheerful because we have carnival."

Thea Ungermann is not just the managing director of Düsseldorf's Schumacher brewery; the Altbierbrauerei has been run by women for over half a century. Or as Thea Ungermann puts it: "We have been a women's brewery for 58 years." She traces the origins of Rhenish cheerfulness back to carnival. Because while the - usually gray - winter drags on for a long time in February, carnival offers the opportunity to dress up and celebrate. Thea Ungermann went to kindergarten in the Altstadt, attended Görres Gymnasium on the Kö and promptly felt homesick when she left Düsseldorf for five years to complete her education. Mike Litt met Thea Ungermann in the main brewery on Oststraße and talked to her about Altbier, customs and, of course, the Schumacher brewery.

By the way: From now on, "Alle Rhein!" will be published on the last Friday of every month.

Episode 51 with Thea Ungermann, Managing Director of the Schumacher Brewery

Our podcast "Alle Rhein!" is our platform for everyone who makes sure that you are almost constantly surrounded by art, culture and culinary delights in Düsseldorf. Our host Mike Litt talks to his guests about the most exciting projects and finds out what artists, event organizers and other creative people love about their city and where they like to spend their free time.

Our host

Mike Litt was born in the US state of Virginia and lived in Bochum for many years. The globetrotter usually works in Cologne but lives with his family in the beautiful Düsseltal district of Düsseldorf. He is a radio presenter (1Live, WDR 2, DLF Nova), a DJ with Mayday festival experience and an author (‘The loneliest DJ in the world’). For our podcast, he holds fascinating conversations with other people from Düsseldorf’s cultural scene.

Photos: Kenny Tran
Portrait Mike Litt: [email protected]
Music / Sound: Christian Moster / Mike Litt / Marc Gottschalk