Some breweries are the oldest businesses in the world. In most cases, beer production in these breweries began by monks as part of the monastic life. Over the years, the breweries were acquired by private owners, but most of these beers still carry basic elements as a heritage from the monks. In this article, you will find useful information about the oldest breweries in the world.
- Weihenstephan Brewery
More than a thousand years ago, the brewery first operated with the help of the monks at the Benedictine monastery, which Saint Corbinian established. Nowadays, it is a business that belongs to the state and, more specifically, to the Government of Bavaria. It is the oldest brewery globally that hasn’t stopped its operation all these years. It is located at Weihenstephan. Hill. - Wittenberg Abbey Brewery
It has had a license since 1040. It is located in Southern Germany, where the surroundings consist of hills and thick forests. It is also a Benedictine monastery in Bavaria. Although it was first founded more than 1000 years ago, it went through significant reconstruction in 1842. Guests can taste its famous beer in the garden in the surrounding perfectly organized by the monks. - Affligem Brewery
This is another brewery that started its production by six monks in 1074 and continued all these years without stopping. The monks also gave the recipe for the beer that hasn’t changed over the years. The beer is produced in Opwijk, Belgium. - Bolten Brewery
It is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, dating back to 1266. It is considered the oldest brewery of its kind globally. It produces a specific type of red-colored beer. Michael Hollmann is the director of the brewery. Its annual production is about 50,000 hectolitres of beer. - Gaffel Becker & Co.
The brewery has a long history, but there is more information about its operation after 1908, when it was acquired by the Becker Brothers in Cologne, Germany. From 1908 till today, the Becker family has run the brewery from generation to generation and holds the tradition in beer production. - Augustiner-Bräu
It was founded in 1328 in Munich. The brewery was first operated inside a monastery. When the monastery put an end to its existence, the brewery was acquired by the state and then passed to private ownership. Its annual production is at large scale and usually reaches 1,5 million hectolitres. - Franziskaner Weissbier
The brewery has a long history. It was founded in Munich in 1397, and it produces Weiss beers. The beer that it makes is fruity and full of vitamins. In 1867 it was already the largest brewery in the city; in 1992, its production reached 1 million hl, and in 1997 it merged with Lowenbrau. A few years later, in 2004, it became a member of the powerful beer industry InBev. Despite the changes in ownership and partnerships, the brewery kept the name Franziskaner in Weiss Beers, which means monk. Also, a monk has appeared on the label since 1909. - Stella Artois
This beer is of Belgian origin, and the brewery was established in 1366 in Leuven. The history of this beer goes back to Den Hoorn Brewery, which was the initial business giving the fundamentals for a significant quality beer. Years passed, and when it was the right time for Sebastian Artois, he acquired the Den Hoorn brewery. - Spaten Brewery
It is located in Munich and produces beer from two different brands: Spaten and Franziskaner. The brewery was founded in 1397. Over the years, the brewery’s owners constantly changed, while in 1854, the brewery changed premises, where it remains till today. In the 1900s, the brewery started exports in North America. - Hubertus Brewery
In 1440, the city Laa a der Thaya had a terrible financial status. In order to boost its economy made an effort to start trading beer. After the appropriate process, the city got the “green light” for beer production. The initiative belongs to Ladislaus Posthumus, Duke of Austria, King of Bohemia, and Hungary. However, in 1847, the city legally permitted Anton Kühtreiber to brew beer, and thus he founded Hubertus Bräu. The younger generations of the family continue the tradition till today.
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