Oldest working brewery

The oldest working brewery is Weihenstephan Abbey in Bavaria, Germany. Founded in the early 8th century AD, the site was originally a Benedictine monastery. It was granted a brewing license in 1040 AD, and has been producing beer ever since. Oddly enough, the world’s second oldest working brewery is just a short car journey away. Weltenburg Abbey lies 60 km north, near Kelheim, also in Bavaria. It began brewing beer just after Weihenstephan, in 1050 AD. In 2040 and 2050 the brewing abbeys of Bavaria will celebrate their millennial anniversaries – few businesses can realistically look forward to that!