The Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan is a brewery in the district of Weihenstephan in the German city of Freising. The brewery is the oldest existing brewery in the world. In 1040 the Benedictine monastery received the right to brew and sell beer in Freising. Because the authenticity of the document, in which this right is mentioned, is under discussion, the Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg also claims the title of “oldest brewery in the world.”
In 1803 the brewing rights and all property of the brewery went into the possession of the state of Bavaria. Bavaria was still a monarchy in those days. Weihenstephan has not exercised the right to call themselves royal. However they display the royal weapon in each label. Since 1921 the brewery bears the title Bayerische Staatsbrauerei. (Bavarian state brewery)
The oldest preserved buildings, the former convent, dates back to the 17th century. The brewing installations however are very modern.
The brewery is also attached to the brewer faculty of Munich technical University.