Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

A testament to survival and purity. It endured raids in 955, plagues, and multiple fires, and was already centuries into the craft when the Duke of Bavaria enacted the Reinheitsgebot purity law in 1516. Today it's both a historic monument and, integrated with the Technical University of Munich, ground zero for modern brewing science — the origin site of the W-34/70 lager yeast now used more than any other on the planet.

The founding thesisA Benedictine monastery that needed to sustain itself; brewing was licensed by the City of Freising in 1040, making it widely regarded as the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world.

1. 725
   Monastery founded

   Saint Corbinian establishes the monastery on Weihenstephan hill.

2. 1040
   Brewing licensed

   The City of Freising grants the monastery the right to brew and sell beer.

3. 1516
   Reinheitsgebot

   Bavaria's purity law arrives — Weihenstephan is already centuries into perfecting the craft.

4. 1921
   State + University

   Becomes a Bavarian state brewery integrated with what is now the Technical University of Munich.