Beer has been a significant part of human life and culture for thousands of years. It is more than a beverage – it is a social and cultural cornerstone in many civilizations. From ancient Mesopotamia to medieval Europe, it has played a significant role in rituals, daily life, and even the economy.
This article takes you to the oldest existing breweries in the world, allowing you to explore beer-making’s rich history and traditions. These establishments showcase time-honored brewing techniques and the evolution of beer styles, reflecting the enduring love for this age-old drink.
Weihenstephan: Germany’s oldest beer maker
Weihenstephan Brewery is a Bavarian brewery that started making beer in 1040. It’s known as the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery.
Older European breweries used to be part of a monastery or abbey, with beer usually brewed by monks or nuns. Weihenstephan was originally part of a Benedictine monastery when it began brewing beer.
Today, Weihenstephan is renowned for its traditional German wheat beers, particularly Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, and for balancing historical brewing practices with modern technology.
Weltenburg Abbey: Brewing since 1050
Another Bavarian monastery brewery is the Weltenburg Abbey Brewery, which began making beer just 10 years after Weihenstephan. It is located near the scenic Danube Gorge.
Weltenburg vies with Weihenstephan for the title of the oldest monastery brewery. The brewery is known for its dark lagers like Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel. It upholds traditional monastic brewing values while producing high-quality, award-winning beers.
Yuengling: America’s oldest brewery
Yuengling started brewing in 1829. As the oldest operating brewery in the United States, Yuengling has a long, rich, and illustrious history starting in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
Founded by David Yuengling, it has remained family-owned for nearly two centuries. The brewery’s most famous product is Yuengling Traditional Lager, a beloved American amber beer blending heritage and modernity.
Hubertus: Austria’s medieval beer
Located in the Austrian town of Laa an der Thaya, Hubertus Brewery has been making beer since 1454. Its name and logo come from a story about Saint Hubert.
The brewery strongly focuses on tradition, using natural ingredients and sustainable brewing methods. Hubertus’s brews are classic Austrian beers renowned for their purity and robust flavors, especially the Hubertus Bräu Lager.
Smithwick’s: Ireland’s first brewery
Before Guinness, there was Smithwick’s first. The Kilkenny-based brewery has been operating since 1710, making it the oldest brewery in Ireland.
Over the centuries, Smithwick’s became synonymous with Irish red ale, especially its flagship beer, Smithwick’s Red Ale, boasting a smooth, slightly hoppy profile. The brewery’s rich history has intertwined with Ireland’s brewing culture, offering a blend of tradition and craftsmanship.
Did you know? Guinness owned the Smithwick’s brand from 1965 to 1995. It was later acquired by its current owner, Diageo.
Bolten: Germany’s Altbier expert
The Bolten Brewery is located in North Rhine-Westphalia and is the world’s oldest Altbier brewery.
Altbier is a top-fermented German style central to Bolten’s identity, particularly Bolten’s Alt, which features a malty, slightly bitter flavor. Bolten’s long and rich history has solidified its place in German brewing.
Molson: North America’s beer pioneer
Molson Brewing started in 1786, making it one of the oldest breweries in North America. The Montreal-based brewery was crucial in shaping Canadian beer culture.
Today, Molson is part of Molson Coors and continues to produce classic Canadian beers like Molson Canadian while maintaining its historical roots.
Grolsch: Dutch beer in a unique bottle
Grolsch Brewery has made beer since 1615. The Netherlands-based brewery is known worldwide for its iconic swing-top bottles and premium lagers.
The brewery, founded by Willem Neerfeldt, has a long and rich tradition of innovation, including unique bottling design. Its Grolsch Premium Lager is a classic example of Dutch pilsner style—crisp, clean, and flavorful.
Victoria: A hidden gem from Mexico
Victoria Brewery has made beer since 1865, making it the oldest brewery in Mexico. Victoria is famous for its Vienna-style lager, a copper-colored beer with mild malty sweetness and a slightly bitter finish. It was first brewed in Toluca, Mexico.
Victoria holds a significant place in Mexican brewing history and culture and is appreciated for its traditional brewing methods and wide appeal. It is well-known in Mexico but only recently became available in the U.S. The Victoria brand is now owned by Grupo Modelo, one of Mexico’s largest brewing companies.
Stiegl: Mozart’s favorite beer
Stiegl Brewery began in 1492, making it one of Austria’s oldest and most renowned breweries. It is known for its wide range of beers, including its flagship product Stiegl Goldbräu.
The Salzburg-based brewery places a strong commitment to quality, tradition, and craftsmanship. Stiegl’s long history is linked to Austrian beer culture and innovation in brewing.
Did you know? Stiegl was reportedly the preferred beer of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a Salzburg native. The city’s cultural connection with Mozart often includes references to Stiegl as part of the historical context of the composer’s lifestyle.
Three Tuns: England’s oldest licensed brewery
Three Tuns Brewery was founded in 1642, making it the oldest licensed brewery in Britain.
The Shropshire, England-based brewery still operates on a small scale using traditional brewing methods. Three Tuns produces a variety of ales. Its Three Tuns XXX Pale Ale is one of its most well-known offerings, renowned for its balance of malt and hops.
Did you know? The brewery is named after the traditional symbol of a tun, a large barrel or cask for storing and aging beer or wine. Historically, “Three Tuns” refers to a set of three large casks, often displayed on inn or tavern signs to signify a place where an alcoholic drink like beer, wine, or ale was sold.
Stepan Razin: Russia’s beer history
Stepan Razin Brewery opened in 1795, making it the oldest brewery in Russia. The St. Petersburg-based brewery was named after a 17th-century Cossack leader. Its founder, Abraham Krohn, brewed English-style ales and porters for the czar’s court.
Besides beer, Stepan Razin also produces vodka. It has a deep history tied to Russian brewing and distillation practices, though today, it is part of a larger beverage conglomerate.
The brewery also has a museum that offers visitors a glimpse into the evolution of beer-making in Russia. In addition to beer-related artifacts, the museum displays some items from the Soviet era, including the Order of Lenin.