World’s oldest monastic brewery to be sold as German beer sales slide

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Deborah Cole in BerlinJanuary 19, 2026 at 04:38 PM

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Weltenburger, the world's oldest monastic brewery located at Weltenburg Abbey in Bavaria, Germany, is being sold to Schneider Weisse due to declining beer sales. The brewery, owned by the Catholic church but operated by Bischofshof brewery staff, has faced financial difficulties requiring church funding. The sale, expected to be completed by January 2027, aims to preserve Bavarian brewing tradition and retain Weltenburger's 21 employees. Bischofshof brewery, also owned by the diocese of Regensburg, will cease production by the end of the year, with its brand moving to Schneider. The Regensburg diocese is seeking new positions for the 56 Bischofshof workers who will be made redundant.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Munich 40% Danube 40% Rudolf Voderholzer 50% Catholic church 50% Benedictine monks 50% Weltenburg Abbey 60% Regensburg ×260% Bavaria ×270% Germany 70% Bischofshof ×470% Schneider Weisse ×480% Weltenburger ×990%

Keywords

monastic brewery 90% brewery sale 80% beer sales 80% schneider weisse 70% weltenburger 70% brewery consolidation 60% bavaria 60% brewing tradition 50% bischofshof brewery 50% economic downturn 40%