With nearly a thousand years of brewing tradition, the legendary German brewery Weihenstephan continues to thrive, offering recipes that captivate enthusiasts of authentic Bavarian craft beer.

Weihenstephan: the oldest brewery in the world

Perched atop Weihenstephan Hill, the historic monastery that gave the brewery its name overlooks the town of Freising, just north of Munich. Over the centuries, it has expanded, faced setbacks, and risen again. One thing, however, has never changed: its beer. With almost 1,000 years of history, Weihenstephan proudly holds the title of the world’s oldest brewery.

The story began long before the Crusades, Charlemagne, and other pivotal events in Europe, when Munich was still a vast pastureland. In 725, Saint Corbinian and twelve companions founded a Benedictine monastery on Nährberg Hill. One of Weihenstephan’s beers, Korbinian, still pays tribute to this history.

By 768, hops were being cultivated in the monastery gardens, with 10% of the harvest paid to the abbey as rent. It is very likely that these hops were used in early brewing within the monastery. Although beer had existed for millennia, brewing at the time was very different from today—fermentation was unpredictable, as yeast had not yet been discovered. Still, the Weihenstephan monks mastered their craft and steadily gained recognition. In 1040, after three centuries of brewing, the abbey finally received its official brewing license, establishing the legacy of Weihenstephan beer.

War, pillaging, and resilience

Like many monasteries, Weihenstephan endured centuries of hardship—fires, wars, plagues, and even earthquakes repeatedly destroyed its brewery. Yet for 400 years, the Benedictine monks rebuilt, persevering with courage and faith. Today, although it is the oldest brewery in the world, Weihenstephan is also one of the most modern, thanks to cutting-edge brewing equipment and innovation.

The diversity of Weihenstephan beers

From crisp lagers to rich stouts, from wheat beers to dark bocks, Weihenstephan offers over 15 varieties of Bavarian beer, each with its own character, aroma, and bitterness. Whether you enjoy a classic pilsner, an IPA, a smooth bock, or even an alcohol-free option, there is a Weihenstephan beer for every taste. All of them are brewed in strict accordance with the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law, using only barley malt, hops, yeast, and water—guaranteeing the highest quality and authenticity.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Please drink responsibly.

Discover other beers and breweries : The Rare Barrel, the passionate sour brewery, Sally's Selection from brewery Mikkeller and Beer Adrienne from Bosteels brewery !