The Bavarians and their beer is more than just a cliché. The art of brewing in our state looks back on centuries of history and is firmly interwoven with the regional culture. With the Weisses Brauhaus in Kelheim, not only is the oldest wheat brewery in Germany located in our state, but we can also call ourselves home to the oldest brewery in the world. The Weihenstephan brewery is located on the hill in Freising and has been supplying you with beer for almost a millennium.
From monastery to state brewery
Around 720, Saint Corbinian came to Freising and founded a monk’s cell on Weihenstephan Hill, from which the Benedictine monastery developed. Soon after, hop cultivation began in the region, and there was also a hop garden near the monastery. Its owner was obliged to pay tithes to the monastery and presumably had his harvest brewed there. However, it took almost three centuries before the official right to serve and brew beer was acquired. In 1040, the time had come and Abbot Arnold granted this right to the Weihenstephan monastery . From then on, the monks were able to officially brew and sell their beer.
Over the centuries, the Weihenstephan brewery was repeatedly confronted with strokes of fate. Sometimes it burned to the ground, sometimes it was depopulated by plague or famine. The site was not safe from raids and battles either, but the monks always rebuilt their monastery and resumed brewing. In 1803, secularization finally led to its dissolution, and the monastery became the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan.
The art of brewing as a science
The central school located in the Weihenstephan brewery was elevated to a university for brewing and agriculture in 1919. Since 1930, it has been part of the TUM and teaches students from all over the world the art of brewing beer. The Weihenstephan brewery is located in the middle of the university’s Freising campus and works closely with it. Here, brewing is no longer just a craft, but a science in its own right. TUM students and researchers are constantly developing new techniques, such as the dealcoholization of beer. This makes the oldest brewery in the world one of the most modern.
Today, the Weihenstephan brewery sells 16 different types of beer in more than 60 countries. The company also has a dairy, which is also located in Freising. You can learn more about the history and art of brewing at the Weihenstephan brewery by taking one of the guided tours through the hallowed halls and the museum . Afterwards, you can convince yourself of the quality of the beer during a tasting and keep the glass as a souvenir. You can also visit the Bräustüberl Weihenstephan and round off your trip in the dining rooms or the beer garden. Events are regularly held here, or you can book the Bräustüberl for your own private celebrations.
📍 Location: Weihenstephan Brewery, Alte Akademie 2, 85354 Freising
🕑 Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bräustüberl 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
