Helene Leni Gassner

“Hello there, come on in. Let’s go into the parlour – it’s lovely and warm in there.” Leni is sitting with her regulars in the lovingly decorated reception area of the Bräurup. From here, she has everything in view whilst she discusses the day’s topics with the businesspeople from Mittersill. In between, she gives her guests tips for the day. Or she dashes briefly into the kitchen – from where, incidentally, the wonderful aroma of beef soup wafts out... Leni Gassner has everything under control – and always a smile on her face.

Helene Leni Gassner is a true-blue Pinzgauer. Having grown up as the eldest of three siblings at the Oberhof on the Pass Thurn, she learnt early on what really matters in life. The farm also served as a youth hostel and guesthouse. Leni helped out with everything:
in the barn, with haymaking, making up beds and preparing breakfast – and she enjoyed it. Even as a child, she enchanted the guests with her long blonde hair and brown doe-like eyes. “When I was 12, I was allowed to go to the house disco with the pupils at our hostel – that was really cool,” she recalls fondly. “The most important thing is solidarity – in the family just as much as at work,” Leni is convinced. “We should appreciate what we have.” With plenty of ambition and perseverance, she has come a long way. She knows: “Without hard work, courage and a healthy dose of self-confidence, nothing works.”

“At Bräurup, we live and breathe tradition – the Heitzmann and its steakhouse are the perfect complement.” Genuine Pinzgau warmth and a deep appreciation for family traditions go without saying – in both establishments. Regionality has always played a major role for the family. From the very beginning, the beer has been brewed in-house using regional ingredients. Only the very best fish and meat from local waters and hunting grounds make it onto the plates. “Especially in times like these, it’s particularly important to act with regional awareness,” says Leni thoughtfully. “Our connection to tradition, nature and down-to-earth values is what defines us; that’s why guests are always happy to come back.”

The history of the family business goes back a long way: her husband Matthias’s great-great-grandfather acquired the property in the 19th century. The moment you step inside the centuries-old Bräurup building, you are enveloped by the house’s venerable history. You can feel the life in the parlours and rooms. “Preserving this is particularly close to our hearts.” Incidentally, the name “Bräurup” comes from the great-great-grandfather. Rupert – Ruap – Schwaiger was a brewer from Zell am See. When he came to Mittersill and began brewing beer here, it wasn’t long before ‘Bräu-Ruap’ was on everyone’s lips.
Thus, the inn next to the church became a popular place for socialising, and not just after Sunday mass. “I wasn’t even born back then,” smiles Leni, “but thanks to the many treasures that have been preserved and the stories passed down through pictures, photographs and archives, I can well imagine what it was like back then.” Precious chests adorn the corridors and parlours – antique mirrors and paintings grace the thick walls. Preserving tradition and blending it with modernity – that was also the clear brief for the 2019 renovation, which was meticulously planned down to the smallest detail. Whereas the walls used to feel cold, we now sit together in cosy parlours panelled with fine wood. Surrounded by the cosy warmth of the tiled stove, guests enjoy their stay. “Is everything all right? Are you feeling comfortable here?” Leni loves to ‘hoagaschtn’ (look after people). She always makes sure personally that her guests are well looked after, ensuring they want for nothing at the Bräurup.

“Nothing in life is handed to you on a plate,” she says thoughtfully, gazing out of the window in the parlour and adjusting the curtain, “but with hard work, dedication and passion, you can achieve a great deal.” Family unity is the most important thing to her. Spending time with her guests and friends is what she cherishes most.