- Founded
- 1040
- Brewed in
- Freising, Bavaria, Germany
- Owner
- Free State of Bavaria
- Known for
- Hefeweizen, Helles, Weizenbock, Pilsner
- Try first
- Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
- In Australia
- Stocked by most big Australian bottle shop chains, such as Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Liquorland.
- Beer types
- Pilsner, Helles, Wheat Beer, Bock Beer, Wheat Bock
- Official site
- weihenstephaner.de
Weihenstephaner claims the title of the oldest working brewery in the world, and its Hefeweissbier is regularly rated among the best wheat beers anywhere. It is also one of the easiest premium German beers to find in Australia.
The story of Weihenstephaner
The brewery sits on Weihenstephan hill in Freising, about 35 km north of Munich. Benedictine monks brewed beer there for centuries, and the brewery dates its licence to 1040. After the monastery was dissolved in 1803, the brewery passed to the Bavarian state, which still owns it today.
The site is also home to the Technical University of Munich’s brewing science campus, so many of the world’s brewers trained a few steps away from the brewhouse. That pairing of tradition and science shows in the beer: Weihenstephaner has won medals at the World Beer Cup and the European Beer Star many times over.
Weihenstephaner beers to try
- Hefeweissbier (5.4%): The benchmark Bavarian wheat beer. Golden, hazy and creamy, with ripe banana and a light clove spice.
- Original Helles (5.1%): A clean, bready Munich-style lager. Great on a hot day.
- Vitus (7.7%): A pale wheat bock with apricot and spice. Strong but surprisingly easy to drink.
- Korbinian (7.4%): A dark, malty doppelbock named after Freising’s patron saint.
- Hefeweissbier Dunkel (5.3%): The dark version, with caramel and toasted bread.
What does Weihenstephaner taste like?
The Hefeweissbier is fuller and fruitier than most wheat beers, with very little bitterness. It is best poured slowly into a tall wheat beer glass. Vitus is a step up in body and alcohol, while the Helles shows the brewery’s lighter side.
Food pairing: Hefeweissbier with seafood, salads, Weisswurst and pretzels. Vitus with spicy Asian dishes or a cheese board. Korbinian with roast meat or a rich beef stew.
Where to buy and drink Weihenstephaner in Australia
- Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor stock the Hefeweissbier, often in four-packs
- Specialist bottle shops, such as those on our Adelaide and Melbourne pages, carry more of the range
- On tap: Perth’s Rhein-Donau Club pours Weihenstephaner at its Oktoberfest. See our Oktoberfest in Australia guide
More wheat beers are in our German wheat beer guide, and the prices page explains what to expect at the till.
Weihenstephaner FAQs
Is Weihenstephaner really the oldest brewery in the world?
Weihenstephaner dates itself to 1040, when the Benedictine monks of Weihenstephan Abbey are said to have received a brewing licence from the town of Freising. Historians debate the exact date, but it is widely described as the oldest brewery still in operation.
Where can I buy Weihenstephaner in Australia?
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier is widely available in Australia at Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland and many independent bottle shops. The Vitus, Korbinian and Original Helles are mostly found at larger stores and specialist bottle shops.
Who owns Weihenstephaner?
The brewery is owned by the Free State of Bavaria and runs as the Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan. It shares its hilltop in Freising with the Technical University of Munich’s brewing science campus.
How strong is Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier?
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier is 5.4% ABV. The Original Helles is 5.1%, the Vitus Weizenbock 7.7% and the Korbinian Doppelbock 7.4%.
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