- Founded
- 1978
- Brewed in
- Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
- Owner
- Radeberger Group (Binding-Brauerei)
- Known for
- Hefeweizen, Kristallweizen, Wheat beer radler
- Try first
- Schöfferhofer Grapefruit
- In Australia
- Stocked by most big Australian bottle shop chains, such as Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Liquorland.
- Beer types
- Wheat Beer
- Official site
- schoefferhofer.de
Schöfferhofer is the wheat beer that made the grapefruit radler a summer favourite. In Australia, Schöfferhofer Grapefruit has become a cult drink at barbecues, at the beach and at every Oktoberfest.
The story of Schöfferhofer
The name comes from the Schöfferhof brewery in Mainz, which in turn took its name from Peter Schöffer, a business partner of the printing pioneer Johannes Gutenberg. Schöfferhofer wheat beer was launched in 1978 and is now brewed in Frankfurt am Main by the Binding-Brauerei, part of the Radeberger Group.
That makes Schöfferhofer one of the best-known wheat beers brewed outside Bavaria. Its biggest success, though, was mixing that wheat beer with grapefruit, which created a whole new category of fruity, low-alcohol wheat beer mixes.
Schöfferhofer beers to try
- Schöfferhofer Grapefruit (2.5%): Half Hefeweizen, half grapefruit soft drink. Tangy, sweet-sour and very refreshing.
- Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen (5.0%): A smooth, cloudy wheat beer with banana, clove and citrus.
- Schöfferhofer Kristallweizen (5.0%): The filtered, sparkling, clear version.
What does Schöfferhofer taste like?
The Hefeweizen is lighter and less sweet than many Bavarian wheat beers, with a bright citrus edge. The Grapefruit tastes more like a grown-up soft drink than a beer, with just enough wheat beer character underneath. Serve both ice-cold.
Food pairing: Grapefruit with fish tacos, poke bowls, prawns and summer salads. Hefeweizen with barbecued chicken, Weisswurst and pretzels.
Where to buy Schöfferhofer in Australia
- Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor carry the Grapefruit and usually the Hefeweizen
- Oktoberfest events and German restaurants often have Schöfferhofer in the fridge or on tap
More wheat beers are in our German wheat beer guide, and lighter drinks are in our alcohol-free German beers list.
Schöfferhofer FAQs
Where can I buy Schöfferhofer Grapefruit in Australia?
Schöfferhofer Grapefruit is sold at most big Australian bottle shop chains, including Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Liquorland, usually in 330 ml bottles and 500 ml cans. Stock often runs low in summer, so larger stores are your best bet.
How much alcohol is in Schöfferhofer Grapefruit?
Schöfferhofer Grapefruit is 2.5% ABV. It is half Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen and half grapefruit soft drink, which makes it a light, mid-strength option.
Is Schöfferhofer a Bavarian beer?
No. Schöfferhofer is brewed in Frankfurt am Main in Hesse, by the Binding-Brauerei, part of the Radeberger Group. It is one of the best-known wheat beers brewed outside Bavaria.
How strong is Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen?
Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen is 5.0% ABV, as is the filtered Kristallweizen.
← Back to all German beer brands · Ranked #11 in our list. Last updated 2 October 2026.