{ "schemaVersion": "1.3.0", "language": "en", "slug": "bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan", "brandKey": "bayerischestaatsbrauereiweihenstephan", "canonicalName": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "canonicalUrl": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan", "jsonUrl": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan/json", "markdownUrl": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan/md", "name": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "oneLiner": "A Bavarian state-owned brewery in Freising with medieval monastic roots and a globally distributed portfolio of traditional and alcohol-free beers.", "summary": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan is a state-owned German brewery based on the former Weihenstephan monastery site in Freising, Bavaria. It is widely promoted as the world's oldest continuously operating brewery, although the precise foundation date is historically contested. The brewery traditionally identifies 1040 as the beginning of its documented brewing history, when the Weihenstephan monastery is said to have obtained brewing and serving rights from the town of Freising. Earlier references connect the site with Christian settlement, hop cultivation and probable brewing activity, but some of the documents used to support specific medieval foundation claims are regarded by historians as later fabrications or unreliable reconstructions. The earliest officially recognized written evidence of a brewery at Weihenstephan dates from 1675.\n\nThe brewery's origins lie in the religious settlement associated with Saint Stephen and Saint Corbinian near Freising. During the medieval period, monastic communities played an important role in developing brewing practices, and the surrounding region had a long tradition of hop cultivation. The monastery and its brewery survived wars, economic disruption and repeated institutional changes before becoming a Bavarian state enterprise during the secularization of 1803, when religious houses in Bavaria were dissolved. It subsequently operated as the Royal Bavarian State Brewery and later as the Bayerische Staatsbrauerei. The current name has been used since 1921.\n\nWeihenstephan developed alongside Bavaria's growing scientific and technical brewing infrastructure. A central school for agriculture and brewing was associated with the site at different points during the nineteenth century, and brewing instruction began there in 1865. The institution later became part of the Technical University of Munich, creating a long-standing relationship between the brewery, academic research and practical brewing education. Today, the brewery works with university research facilities on quality control, process development and training. It does not maintain its own laboratory; scientific quality work is supported through the university's research infrastructure.\n\nThe brand is positioned around traditional Bavarian brewing, wheat-beer expertise, historical continuity and premium quality. Its portfolio includes top-fermented wheat beers, pale and dark lagers, pilsners, bocks and alcohol-free beers. The best-known products include Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, Weihenstephaner Original and Weihenstephaner Vitus. The brewery also produces seasonal and limited-edition beers and sells Schloss Cola-Mix. Its beers are distributed in Germany and exported to more than 60 countries.\n\nModern development has combined historical branding with substantial technical investment. Fermentation capacity was expanded in 2003, a new storage cellar entered service in 2011, and a major logistics centre in Clemensänger was completed in 2019 after the brewery outgrew the Weihenstephan hill site. The brewery added larger alcohol-removal equipment in 2021 and produced disinfectant for Bavarian dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic using ethanol generated in the dealcoholisation process. From 2023 to 2024, it built a combined cellar containing additional fermentation, maturation and yeast-storage capacity.\n\nThe enterprise remains managed according to private-sector principles while retaining public ownership. In 2023 it reported production of 45,346,300 litres, approximately 184 employees and turnover of 46.65 million euros. It is led by Josef Schrädler. Alongside commercial brewing, Weihenstephan supports regional social initiatives, local sports events and environmental projects. Its historic identity, academic connections and international export network make it one of Germany's most recognizable traditional brewery brands.\n\nBavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan, formally Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan, is a state-managed German brewery based on Weihenstephan Hill in Freising, Bavaria. It operates on the site of the former Weihenstephan Abbey and is owned by the Free State of Bavaria. The brewery is widely marketed as the world's oldest brewery, although the exact foundation date is historically contested. Its official narrative generally traces brewing rights at the monastery to 1040, while earlier versions of the company's history used 1146. Historical researchers have questioned the documentary evidence behind both dates, particularly because the charter used to support the medieval claim is regarded as a later forgery. Evidence of regional hop cultivation and brewing activity nevertheless extends back many centuries, and the site has a substantial medieval monastic brewing tradition.\n\nThe brewery became state property during Bavaria's secularisation of 1803, when Weihenstephan Monastery was dissolved. It subsequently operated as the Royal Bavarian State Brewery and later adopted the name Bayerische Staatsbrauerei. Its development was closely linked to the evolution of brewing education and research at Weihenstephan. Brewing instruction began there in the nineteenth century, and the institution eventually became part of the Technical University of Munich. Today the brewery remains integrated with the university environment, using university research capabilities for quality control and collaborating on brewing technology, student training, internships and research projects.\n\nWeihenstephan's core portfolio consists of Bavarian-style beers, particularly wheat beers, pale lagers, dark beers, bocks and seasonal specialties. Its best-known products include Weihenstephaner Hefeweißbier, Weihenstephaner Original and Weizenbock Vitus. The brewery also produces alcohol-free beers using vacuum falling-film evaporation, a method developed in cooperation with the Technical University of Munich. In addition to beer, its range includes the Schloss Cola-Mix soft drink. The brewery states that it produces 16 beer types and distributes them internationally in more than 60 countries.\n\nModern investment has focused on capacity, fermentation, storage, logistics and alcohol-free production. A top-fermentation cellar was expanded in 2003, a new storage cellar entered service in 2011, and a logistics centre at Clemensänger in Freising was completed in 2019 after a two-year construction period. The centre relieved space constraints on Weihenstephan Hill and represented the largest construction project in the brewery's history. In 2021, the brewery acquired a larger dealcoholisation unit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ethanol from its dealcoholisation process was temporarily used to produce disinfectant for dentists in Bavaria. From 2023 to 2024, the brewery added a combined cellar with 24 tanks and a yeast-collection tank.\n\nThe business is managed according to private-sector principles despite its state ownership. In 2023 it reported production of 45,346,300 litres, employed 184 people and recorded turnover of €46.65 million. Josef Schrädler has led the brewery since 2000. Weihenstephan positions itself around traditional Bavarian brewing, technical expertise, heritage and premium quality rather than mass-market scale. Its international reputation is supported by repeated awards at competitions including the World Beer Cup, European Beer Star, World Beer Awards and Australian International Beer Awards.\n\nModern development has combined the historic brand with substantial technical investment. Fermentation capacity was expanded in 2003, a new storage cellar was commissioned in 2011, and a large logistics centre in Clemensänger was completed in 2019 after the brewery outgrew the capacity of its Weihenstephan hill site. The brewery added a larger dealcoholisation unit in 2021 and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, used ethanol from the dealcoholisation process to produce disinfectant for Bavarian dentists. From 2023 to 2024 it built a combined cellar adding fermentation, maturation and yeast-storage capacity.", "aliases": [ "Weihenstephan", "Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan", "Weihenstephan Brewery", "巴伐利亚州魏恩施蒂芬啤酒厂" ], "entityType": "corporate_brand", "l1Slug": "consumer-staples", "l1": "Consumer Staples", "l2Slug": "food-beverage-tobacco", "l2": "Food, Beverage & Tobacco", "l3Slug": "alcohol", "l3": "Wine, Spirits & Beer", "l4Slug": "beer", "l4": "Beer Brands", "country": "Germany", "headquarters": "Freising, Bavaria, Germany", "operatingMarkets": [ "Germany", "Austria", "Italy", "United States", "Australia", "International markets in more than 60 countries", "More than 60 international markets" ], "foundedYear": null, "founder": null, "website": "https://www.weihenstephaner.de", "websiteHost": "weihenstephaner.de", "parentCompany": "Free State of Bavaria", "owner": "Free State of Bavaria", "groupOrHouse": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei, a state-managed enterprise of the Free State of Bavaria and part of the central division of the Technical University of Munich", "listedStatus": "private", "ticker": null, "status": "active", "enrichmentStatus": "wiki_ok", "typicalProducts": [ "Wheat beers", "Pilsners", "Helles and other pale lagers", "Dark lagers", "Bocks and weizenbocks", "Alcohol-free beers", "Seasonal and limited-edition beers", "Schloss Cola-Mix", "Wheat beer", "Hefeweizen", "Kristallweizen", "Pale lager", "Dark beer", "Weizenbock", "Alcohol-free beer", "Soft drinks" ], "flagshipOfferings": [ "Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel", "Weihenstephaner Original", "Weihenstephaner Vitus", "Weihenstephaner Kristallweißbier", "Weihenstephaner Weizenbock Vitus" ], "positioning": "Premium traditional Bavarian beer combining historic monastic heritage, wheat-beer specialization, brewing science and international distribution.", "wikiPathKey": "Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan", "wikiTitle": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "wikidataId": null, "sameAs": [ "https://www.weihenstephaner.de", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" ], "claimStatus": "unverified", "updatedAt": "2026-10-14T18:28:45.093Z", "generatedAt": "2026-08-21T22:14:52.081Z", "executives": [ { "name": "Josef Schrädler", "title": "Director and manager of Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "isCurrent": true, "startYear": 2000, "endYear": null } ], "news": [ { "headline": "New combined cellar constructed at Weihenstephan", "year": 2024, "summary": "A combined cellar project running from March 2023 to July 2024 added 24 tanks and a yeast collection tank for fermentation, storage and pressure-vessel use.", "tags": [ "other" ], "isScandal": false, "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "headline": "Weihenstephan recognized at major international beer competitions", "year": 2024, "summary": "Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel received a World Beer Awards gold medal and was named World's Best Hefeweissbier; Weizenbock Vitus also received gold recognition.", "tags": [ "other" ], "isScandal": false, "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "headline": "Weihenstephan beers receive international competition awards", "year": 2024, "summary": "Weihenstephaner Hefeweißbier Dunkel was named World’s Best Hefeweissbier at the World Beer Awards, while Weizenbock Vitus also received a gold award.", "tags": [ "other" ], "isScandal": false, "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "headline": "New combined fermentation and storage cellar enters construction", "year": 2023, "summary": "Construction began on a cellar containing 24 multipurpose tanks and a yeast-collection tank; the project was completed in July 2024.", "tags": [ "other" ], "isScandal": false, "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "headline": "Weihenstephan expands alcohol-free beer capability", "year": 2021, "summary": "The brewery acquired a larger dealcoholisation unit to support production of alcohol-free beers and temporarily used recovered ethanol to make disinfectant during the COVID-19 pandemic.", "tags": [ "product_generation", "other" ], "isScandal": false, "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "headline": "Weihenstephan temporarily produces disinfectant during the COVID-19 pandemic", "year": 2020, "summary": "The brewery used ethanol generated during beer dealcoholisation to make disinfectant for dentists in Bavaria during the pandemic.", "tags": [ "other" ], "isScandal": false, "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "headline": "Weihenstephan completes new logistics centre in Freising", "year": 2019, "summary": "The brewery completed a 10,700-square-metre logistics facility at Clemensänger after a two-year construction period, addressing limited space at the historic brewery site.", "tags": [ "other" ], "isScandal": false, "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "headline": "Weihenstephan adds new storage cellar", "year": 2011, "summary": "The brewery commissioned a storage cellar equipped with 15 fermentation and maturation tanks.", "tags": [ "other" ], "isScandal": false, "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" } ], "encyclopedia": { "history": "The Weihenstephan site is associated with a church dedicated to Saint Stephen and with the monastic settlement established near Freising in the early medieval period. Brewing traditions developed in the context of monastery life, while hop cultivation in the surrounding region is documented from the early Middle Ages. The place-name Wihanstephane appears in an imperial document from 1003, although that document concerns damage caused by earlier Hungarian incursions rather than proving the existence of a commercial brewery.\n\nThe brewery's conventional foundation story centers on 1040, when Abbot Arnold is said to have obtained brewing and serving rights from the town of Freising. The historical basis of this date is disputed. For much of the modern period, the brewery used 1146 as its founding year, but it later adopted 1040. Both dates are connected to documentary traditions that historians regard as unreliable, including a purported charter that was retrospectively constructed in the early modern period and later published in the eighteenth century. Evidence of hop tithes and brewing-related activity in the wider area supports the likelihood of longstanding brewing at or near Weihenstephan, but it does not establish an uninterrupted corporate history from a particular medieval year. The first officially recognized written proof of a brewery at Weihenstephan is an electoral confirmation dating from 1675.\n\nThe monastery was dissolved during Bavaria's secularization in 1803. Its brewery became state property and operated as the Royal Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan. During the nineteenth century, the brewery increasingly became connected with formal brewing education and agricultural science. A central school was established, moved between locations and returned to Weihenstephan in 1852. Brewing courses began in 1865, the school gained academy status in 1895, and in 1919 it became a college for agriculture and brewing. In 1930, the institution was incorporated into the Technical University of Munich, establishing the academic relationship that continues around the brewery's Freising campus.\n\nThe enterprise adopted the name Bayerische Staatsbrauerei in 1921. In the modern period it has remained a state-managed operation, but it is run using private-sector commercial principles. Under director Josef Schrädler, who took over management in 2000, the brewery expanded fermentation and storage capacity and modernized logistics. A fermentation cellar extension was completed in 2003, a new storage cellar was commissioned in 2011, and the brewery's largest construction project to that point was the Clemensänger logistics centre, completed in 2019. A larger alcohol-free production system was installed in 2021, and a new combined cellar with 24 tanks and a yeast collection tank was built between 2023 and 2024.\n\nThe brewery's relationship with the Technical University of Munich includes quality control, internships, vocational training and research projects. The university and brewery have also worked together on brewing technology, including vacuum falling-film evaporation for removing alcohol from fully fermented beer. Weihenstephan currently produces a broad portfolio of wheat beers, lagers, pilsners, bocks and alcohol-free products, exporting to more than 60 countries. It also contributes to regional charities, local sports events and environmental initiatives.\n\nThe Weihenstephan site is associated with an early medieval religious settlement near Freising. A church dedicated to Saint Stephen was established in the area in the eighth century, and Saint Corbinian is traditionally connected with a monastic cell there. Hop cultivation around Freising is documented from the early Middle Ages, while the monastery's agricultural holdings later included hop-producing estates in the Hallertau region.\n\nThe brewery's commonly cited origin is the acquisition of brewing and serving rights from Freising in 1040 under Abbot Arnold. This date is central to Weihenstephan's claim to be the world's oldest brewery. The historical record is more complicated: the documentary basis for the claim was reinterpreted centuries later, and the relevant charter is considered forged. The brewery formerly cited 1146, and the earliest officially recognised written evidence for a Weihenstephan brewery is a 1675 electoral confirmation document. These uncertainties do not eliminate the likelihood of longstanding brewing activity at the monastery, but they mean that a single continuous foundation date should be treated cautiously.\n\nWeihenstephan Abbey was dissolved in 1803 during Bavaria's secularisation. The brewery then became property of the Bavarian state and operated as the Royal Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan. During the nineteenth century, brewing at the site increasingly became connected with formal education and scientific research. Brewing courses began in 1865. The educational institution associated with Weihenstephan was repeatedly reorganised, gained academy status in 1895, became a college for agriculture and brewing in 1919 and was incorporated into the Technical University of Munich in 1930.\n\nSince 1921 the brewery has used the Bayerische Staatsbrauerei name. Its relationship with the Technical University of Munich remains important. The brewery is located within the university campus environment and provides opportunities for vocational training, internships, research projects and student theses. University research institutions support quality control because the brewery does not maintain its own independent laboratory. The two organisations have also collaborated on brewing-process research and alcohol-removal technology.\n\nModern management has combined heritage branding with infrastructure investment. Josef Schrädler became manager in 2000. A top-fermentation cellar was expanded in 2003, and a new storage cellar with 15 fermentation and maturation tanks was commissioned in 2011. Logistics operations were moved away from the crowded hilltop site through the construction of the Clemensänger centre, completed in 2019. The brewery expanded alcohol-free production in 2021 and temporarily redirected ethanol from that process to disinfectant production during the COVID-19 crisis. A further cellar project, containing 24 tanks and a yeast-collection tank, was built from March 2023 through July 2024.\n\nThe brewery now produces a broad portfolio of traditional and alcohol-free beers, sells in Germany and export markets, and distributes to more than 60 countries. Its public identity rests on Bavarian brewing tradition, the historical Weihenstephan site, scientific cooperation and premium competition performance. It also supports regional social, sporting and environmental initiatives.\n\nThe Weihenstephan site is associated with a church dedicated to Saint Stephen and with the monastic settlement established near Freising in the early medieval period. A church dedicated to Saint Stephen was established in the area in the eighth century, and Saint Corbinian is traditionally connected with a monastic cell there. Brewing traditions developed in the context of monastery life, while hop cultivation in the surrounding region is documented from the early Middle Ages; the monastery's agricultural holdings later included hop-producing estates in the Hallertau region. The place-name Wihanstephane appears in an imperial document from 1003 issued under Emperor Henry II, although that document concerns damage caused by earlier Hungarian incursions rather than proving the existence of a commercial brewery.", "milestones": [ { "year": null, "title": "Early evidence of regional hop cultivation", "summary": "Hop cultivation in the area surrounding the later Weihenstephan site can be traced to the eighth century, providing an early regional foundation for brewing.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 1003, "title": "The name Wihanstephane appears in an imperial document", "summary": "A document issued under Emperor Henry II mentions Wihanstephane in connection with earlier damage to the monastery, establishing an early written reference to the site.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 1040, "title": "Traditional brewery foundation date", "summary": "The brewery traditionally dates its brewing rights to 1040, when the monastery under Abbot Arnold is said to have acquired permission to brew and sell beer. The documentary basis for this date is disputed.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 1675, "title": "Earliest officially recognized written evidence", "summary": "An electoral confirmation document provides the earliest officially recognised written evidence cited for a brewery at Weihenstephan.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 1803, "title": "Brewery becomes Bavarian state property", "summary": "Following the secularization and dissolution of Weihenstephan monastery, the brewery passed to the Bavarian state.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 1865, "title": "Brewing instruction begins at Weihenstephan", "summary": "The Weihenstephan educational institution began offering formal brewing courses, strengthening the site's connection with brewing science.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 1921, "title": "The Bayerische Staatsbrauerei name is adopted", "summary": "The brewery began using the Bayerische Staatsbrauerei name.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 1930, "title": "Academic institution joins Technical University of Munich", "summary": "The agriculture and brewing college associated with Weihenstephan became part of the Technical University of Munich.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2000, "title": "Josef Schrädler takes over management", "summary": "Josef Schrädler became director and oversaw subsequent capacity, logistics and modernization projects.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2003, "title": "Top-fermentation cellar expanded", "summary": "The brewery expanded its fermentation cellar for top-fermented beers.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2019, "title": "Clemensänger logistics centre opens", "summary": "A new logistics centre in Freising was completed to relieve space constraints at the historic brewery location; it was the largest construction project in the brewery's history.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2023, "title": "Reported production and business figures", "summary": "The brewery reported annual production of 45,346,300 litres, 184 employees and turnover of 46.65 million euros.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": null, "title": "Weihenstephan name appears in a document", "summary": "The name Wihanstephane is mentioned in an imperial document describing earlier damage to the monastery.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": null, "title": "Traditional date for brewing rights", "summary": "The brewery traditionally dates its right to brew and sell beer from an alleged grant under Abbot Arnold; the documentary evidence is disputed.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2000, "title": "Josef Schrädler becomes manager", "summary": "Josef Schrädler took over management of the brewery.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2011, "title": "New storage cellar commissioned", "summary": "A storage cellar equipped with 15 fermentation and maturation tanks entered operation.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2021, "title": "Alcohol-free production expanded", "summary": "A larger dealcoholisation plant was acquired, supporting the alcohol-free beer range.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2024, "title": "Combined cellar project completed", "summary": "A cellar with 24 tanks and a yeast-collection tank was completed after construction from 2023 to July 2024.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" } ], "products": [ { "name": "Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel", "category": "Dark wheat beer", "description": "The brewery's signature wheat beer and one of its most internationally recognized products. It represents the brand's Bavarian wheat-beer specialization and is distributed across the brewery's domestic and export markets. The beer has received major competition recognition, including World Beer Cup gold in the South German-style hefeweizen category.\n\nA dark version of the brewery's wheat-beer style. It was awarded gold at the World Beer Awards in 2024 and was recognized as the world's best hefeweissbier in that competition's relevant category.\n\nThe brewery's signature Bavarian hefeweizen, marketed around traditional top-fermentation, wheat-beer character and the heritage of the Weihenstephan brewing site. It is one of the brand's best-known products in Germany and international export markets and has received major competition recognition.\n\nA dark version of the brewery's wheat-beer style, combining the brand's established hefeweizen identity with a deeper malt profile. It won gold at the World Beer Cup in 2022 and was named World's Best Hefeweissbier at the World Beer Awards in 2024.", "launchedYear": null, "status": "active" }, { "name": "Weihenstephaner Original", "category": "Pale lager", "description": "A traditional pale lager representing the brewery's bottom-fermented Bavarian range. It complements the better-known wheat beers and is positioned as an everyday expression of Weihenstephan's classic brewing style.", "launchedYear": null, "status": "active" }, { "name": "Weihenstephaner Vitus", "category": "Weizenbock", "description": "A strong wheat beer in the weizenbock style and a flagship expression of the brewery's top-fermented range. Vitus has received international recognition, including European Beer Star and World Beer Awards gold distinctions, consolidating the brewery's premium position in the weizenbock category.", "launchedYear": null, "status": "active" }, { "name": "Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier", "category": "Filtered wheat beer", "description": "A filtered wheat beer with the characteristic wheat-beer base presented in a clearer style. The product has received gold medals at the Australian International Beer Awards, including recognition in German-style kristall categories.", "launchedYear": null, "status": "active" }, { "name": "Weihenstephaner Helles", "category": "Pale lager", "description": "A Bavarian-style mild pale lager in the brewery's regular portfolio. It received a European Beer Star gold medal in 2020.", "launchedYear": null, "status": "active" }, { "name": "Weihenstephan alcohol-free beers", "category": "Alcohol-free beer", "description": "Weihenstephan produces alcohol-free beers using vacuum falling-film evaporation, a method developed with the Technical University of Munich. The brewery expanded this capability with a larger dealcoholisation unit in 2021.\n\nAlcohol-free variants made using vacuum falling-film evaporation. Fully fermented and matured beer is gently treated under reduced pressure so alcohol can be removed at a comparatively low temperature. The process was developed with the Technical University of Munich.\n\nWeihenstephan produces alcohol-free beers using vacuum falling-film evaporation, a method developed with the Technical University of Munich. Fully fermented and matured beer is gently treated under reduced pressure so alcohol can be removed at a comparatively low temperature. The brewery expanded this capability with a larger dealcoholisation unit in 2021.", "launchedYear": null, "status": "active" }, { "name": "Schloss Cola-Mix", "category": "Soft drink", "description": "A non-alcoholic cola-mix soft drink sold by the brewery alongside its beer portfolio.", "launchedYear": null, "status": "active" } ], "campaigns": [ { "year": null, "name": "Freising Day of Beer participation", "markets": [ "Freising", "Germany" ], "summary": "The brewery participates in the annual Day of the Beer organised by the city of Freising. Half of the proceeds from beer sales are donated to social causes, supporting regional charitable activity.", "outcome": "Supports regional charitable activity.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": null, "name": "Regional social and community support", "markets": [ "Freising region", "Germany" ], "summary": "Weihenstephan supports women's shelters, the Menschen in Not aid initiative and regional sporting events including football and golf tournaments.", "outcome": "Ongoing regional community engagement.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": null, "name": "Environmental partnership projects", "markets": [ "Freising", "Germany" ], "summary": "The brewery supports environmental activities including tree sponsorships and participation in an arboretum project developed with the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Science. Its logistics centre is powered by low-carbon electricity.", "outcome": "Ongoing environmental and infrastructure initiatives.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": null, "name": "Sports and community sponsorships", "markets": [ "Freising region, Germany" ], "summary": "The brewery sponsors regional sporting events, including the Freisinger Tagblatt-Hallenmasters football tournament and the Weihenstephaner Golfcup.", "outcome": "Maintains local community and sports involvement.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": null, "name": "Environmental and campus initiatives", "markets": [ "Freising, Germany" ], "summary": "Environmental activity includes using low-carbon electricity at the logistics centre, supporting tree sponsorships and participating in an arboretum project with Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Science.", "outcome": "Supports lower-carbon operations and local ecological projects.", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" } ], "scandals": [], "decisions": [ { "year": 2017, "type": "strategy", "title": "Build a dedicated logistics centre", "context": "Limited space on the historic Weihenstephan hill site made it difficult to assemble, package and ship products efficiently.\n\nLimited space on Weihenstephan Hill constrained assembly, packaging and shipping operations.", "action": "The brewery began constructing a logistics centre in Clemensänger, Freising, with a roofed area of approximately 10,700 square metres.", "aftermath": "The facility was completed in 2019 and became the largest construction project in the brewery's history.", "financials": { "metric": "Investment", "before": null, "after": "Approximately 16 million euros", "period": "2017-2019", "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, "competitorReactions": [], "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2021, "type": "other", "title": "Expand alcohol-free beer production", "context": "Growing demand for alcohol-free beer and the brewery's cooperation with the Technical University of Munich supported investment in dealcoholisation technology.", "action": "Weihenstephan acquired a larger unit using vacuum falling-film evaporation to remove alcohol from fully fermented and matured beer.", "aftermath": "The expanded equipment increased alcohol-free production capacity; ethanol recovered during the pandemic was temporarily used to produce disinfectant for Bavarian dentists.", "financials": null, "competitorReactions": [], "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 2023, "type": "strategy", "title": "Increase fermentation and maturation capacity", "context": "The brewery required additional cellar capacity for fermentation, maturation and yeast management.", "action": "Construction began on a combined cellar designed to house 24 tanks and a yeast collection tank.", "aftermath": "The project was completed in July 2024, with tanks suitable for fermentation, storage and pressure-vessel applications.", "financials": null, "competitorReactions": [], "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "year": 1803, "type": "strategy", "title": "Transition to state ownership", "context": "Bavaria's secularisation dissolved Weihenstephan Monastery and affected its commercial assets.", "action": "The brewery was transferred to the Bavarian state and continued as a state brewery.", "aftermath": "The brewery remains a state-managed enterprise of the Free State of Bavaria.", "financials": null, "competitorReactions": [], "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" } ], "sources": [ { "title": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "title": "Weihenstephan official website", "url": "https://www.weihenstephaner.de" }, { "title": "Official Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan website", "url": "http://www.brauerei-weihenstephan.de" } ], "needsReview": true }, "sources": [ { "title": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" }, { "title": "Weihenstephan official website", "url": "https://www.weihenstephaner.de" }, { "title": "Official Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan website", "url": "http://www.brauerei-weihenstephan.de" } ], "jsonLd": [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "Organization", "Brand" ], "@id": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan#entity", "name": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "url": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan", "description": "A Bavarian state-owned brewery in Freising with medieval monastic roots and a globally distributed portfolio of traditional and alcohol-free beers.", "sameAs": [ "https://www.weihenstephaner.de", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerische_Staatsbrauerei_Weihenstephan" ], "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Free State of Bavaria" }, "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Freising, Bavaria, Germany", "addressCountry": "Germany" }, "alternateName": [ "Weihenstephan", "Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan", "Weihenstephan Brewery", "巴伐利亚州魏恩施蒂芬啤酒厂" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan", "name": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "url": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan", "dateModified": "2026-10-14T18:28:45.093Z", "isPartOf": { "@type": "Dataset", "name": "Brand Wiki", "url": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "WorldBrand.ai", "url": "https://worldbrand.ai" }, "publishingPrinciples": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/editorial-policy", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan#entity" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", "[data-brandwiki-speakable='definition']" ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Brand Wiki", "item": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan", "item": "https://worldbrand.ai/brand-wiki/bayerische-staatsbrauerei-weihenstephan" } ] } ] }