In a move signalling profound changes within one of the world's most storied brewing nations, Germany's Weltenburg Abbey Brewery—the oldest monastic brewery on the planet—is to be sold. The buyer is the Munich-based firm Schneider Weisse, a consolidation driven by a severe and ongoing slump in German beer consumption.
A Millennium of Tradition Meets Modern Market Realities
Beer has been brewed at the stunning Weltenburg Abbey, an active Benedictine monastery perched on the banks of the Danube in Bavaria, for an astonishing nearly 1,000 years. Despite this deep-rooted history, the business has found itself in financial difficulty, with local media reporting the Regensburg diocese had to inject its own funds to prop it up.
The sale, agreed between the diocese and Schneider Weisse, will see the brewing tradition continue but under new ownership. While the Catholic church retains ownership of the abbey itself, the monks handed over daily production to hired staff from the Bischofshof brewery fifty years ago. Notably, the Bischofshof brewery, founded in 1649, is part of the same deal.
Preserving Jobs and Heritage in a 'Bavarian Solution'
Till Hedrich, managing director of both Weltenburger and Bischofshof, framed the sale as a necessary "Bavarian solution." This move aims to prevent complete closure or a break-up by an outside investor with "no connection to the region," thereby preserving what he called an "important piece of Bavarian brewing tradition."
The financial details remain undisclosed, but the purchase is scheduled for completion by January 2027. Crucially, the plan keeps all 21 Weltenburger employees on board. "In addition to the aspect of tradition, it is very important to us that we can keep at least some of the jobs directly in the region," stated Regensburg bishop Rudolf Voderholzer.
For Bischofshof, however, the outcome is different. The brewery, which employs 56 people, will halt production at the end of this year, with its brand moving to Schneider. The diocese has said it is seeking new placements for the redundant workers.
An Industry in Historic Decline
This sale occurs against a stark backdrop for German brewers. Beer sales in Germany are on a downward slide, mirroring falling alcohol consumption in many Western nations including Britain. According to Germany's main industry body, turnover has shrunk by a quarter over the last 15 years. The year 2025 alone saw a decline of 5 million hectolitres, the biggest drop in 75 years.
Germany's market is unique, with strong loyalty to regional brands and about 1,500 small and medium-sized breweries. Yet, this tradition has not translated into global dominance; surprisingly, no German beer ranks among the world's top 10 sellers. The sector also faces an image problem, with beer often seen as the drink of older generations, and innovation is constrained by the strict medieval Reinheitsgebot (purity law).
Despite the challenges, Weltenburger's legacy is formidable. The brewery's website notes it has survived "fires, floods, destruction and secularisation as well as a world war." It now welcomes half a million visitors annually. As Abbot Thomas M. Freihart remarked during its 975th-anniversary celebrations, quoting Friedrich Schiller: "The enjoyment of barley juice should be seen as a gift from God." For now, that gift will continue, but under a new earthly steward.
