 The beer was originally produced by brewers in the town of Grodzisk Wielkopolski in the 14th or 15th century . A brewers ' guild was established to maintain high quality standards and the product developed a good reputation in the surrounding cities and neighboring countries . At the peak of its fame , it was exported to 37 countries and was regarded as an exceptionally good beer . The brewing industry in the town flourished . After the Second World War , the brewery was nationalized , and the beer entered a period of decline under the Communist government of Poland . By 1993 , the last brewery that was producing the style was shut down . After a period of years when the style was not available from any commercial brewers , several breweries began producing seasonal or year @-@ round recreations of the historic style , spurred by interest in the style from the homebrewing community around the world . 
