Oldest Beers in the World, From Year 1040 to 1855

Oldest Beers in the World, From Year 1040 to 1855

The following is a list of some of the oldest known breweries in the world that are still in operation today:

Weihenstephan Brewery (Germany, 1040): The Weihenstephan Brewery claims to be the oldest existing brewery in the world, with its foundation dating back to 1040. The brewery is located at the site of the former Weihenstephan Abbey in Freising, Bavaria.


Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier | Beer With Us

Weltenburg Abbey Brewery (Germany, 1050): Founded by Benedictine monks, this brewery is possibly the oldest monastic brewery in the world.

A Unique Experience to Weltenburg Monastery Brewery - The Thirsty ​Historian

Augsburg's Riegele Brewery (Germany, 1386): Augsburg's Riegele Brewery is one of the oldest family-owned breweries in the world.

Brauhaus Riegele Expands Distribution to New Jersey | Brewbound
Bolten Brewery (Germany, 1266): The oldest altbier brewery in the world, Bolten Brewery has been in operation for over seven centuries.

Brewery, Bar, Snack bar Bolten, Korschenbroich – photos, on the map

Huss Brewing Co (Czech Republic, 1499): Not to be confused with the American Huss Brewing Co, this European brewery has been operating since the end of the 15th century.

About - Huss Brewing Co.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery (Czech Republic, 1842): While not as old as the other breweries on this list, Pilsner Urquell Brewery is renowned as the birthplace of the pilsner beer style.

An underground tour of Pilsner Urquell, brewers of the world's first pale  lager | Radio Prague International

Boon Brewery (Belgium, 1680): Boon Brewery is known for its lambic beers, a style of beer that relies on spontaneous fermentation.

EP006 | Frank Boon of Brouwerij Boon

Shepherd Neame (England, 1698): This is the oldest brewery in England, founded in Faversham, Kent.

How to find us | Shepherd Neame

Yuengling Brewery (USA, 1829): Founded by David G. Yuengling in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, this is the oldest operating brewing company in America.

Yuengling Brewery - Hamburg, PA

Bushwick Pilsner (USA, 1855): Although not a single brewery, the term Bushwick Pilsner represents a style of beer first brewed by several breweries in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York in the mid-19th century. Some of these breweries are still in operation today.

Pick Whatever You Like at Braven Brewing Company – Old Bushwick Warehouse  Now Home to One of NYC's Hippest Breweries

Please note, the exact order may be up for debate due to historical records and competing claims by breweries.


The dates are when these breweries are first documented as existing, but they may have been brewing beer earlier than that.

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