La Comète, a brewery of valour

The boom in small breweries is a long-term trend. A recent study even states that « »It's not Belgium, nor Germany, nor the United States—that haven for craft beers—but Switzerland that has the highest density of brewers."which confirms the trend as described by our editor-in-chief. It is against this backdrop—and in response to the lackluster offerings from large industrial brewers—that these initiatives are flourishing.

La Comète is no exception. It has strong local roots, a commitment to society, and a set of values deeply ingrained in its founder, Roman Winiger. He is definitely a man of conviction. A jack-of-all-trades, he defends his project with heart and soul. He is also active in the watchmaking industry, with his watchmaking workshop As a self-employed craftsman in La Chaux-de-Fonds, he has a knack for teaching others and sharing his passion. Here’s a look back at the rebirth of a legend: the Comète.

The Return of the Comet

Launched again in 2012, the venture was then based on the other side of the Sarine River, in the Winterthur region—a city twinned with La Chaux-de-Fonds. However, given the beer’s strong local and historical roots, it was clear that sooner or later it would return to its original stronghold. That has been the case since 2015. As a reminder, and even though the two projects are independent of one another, another Comète was served at bars in the watchmaking city until the 1970s. What memories!

The brewery is now located near the train station, in a historic site: the former slaughterhouses of the City of La Chaux-de-Fonds. It shares this space with the Quartier Général association. At this contemporary art center, their goal is «to promote cultural life in La Chaux-de-Fonds, support Swiss and international artistic creation, and champion the principle of art for all by establishing a strong cultural outreach program.».

Rather low-key, a far cry from the eccentricity of other small breweries that end up losing their way in their quest to stand out, the’assortment The brewery’s all-organic lineup is sure to appeal to a wide range of customers looking for an authentic and flavorful beer. La Ronde, La Rousse, and L’Ambrée—all bottom-fermented with an alcohol content of 5%—are light, refreshing beers that are perfect for aperitifs or other festive occasions.

You can take a guided tour of the brewery, with commentary from its founder, Roman Winiger.