THE BEERVANA 2024 INTERNATIONAL INVITATIONAL: GERMANY

The Schneider Weisse Brewery is a family-owned company that has specialized in the production of Weissbier (wheat beer) for over a century. The brewery today is located in Kelheim, Bavaria, on the banks of the river Danube, some 110 kilometres northeast of Munich.

The brewery was founded in 1872 by Georg I. Schneider, after he acquired the right to brew wheat beer, as the first commoner ever. Together with his son Georg II. Schneider, they started production in the Weisse Bräuhaus in Munich the same year. In 1927, the owners, under Georg Schneider IV, obtained additional brewing facilities in Straubing and Augsburg as well as the “Weisses Bräuhaus” in Kelheim.

During World War II, the breweries in Munich were destroyed by aerial bombardment by the Allies. As a result, the entire production was relocated to Kelheim. A few weeks after the end of World War II, the Third United States Army granted G. Schneider & Sohn permission to continue production of their wheat beers and deliver them to Munich.

Today, the brewery employs around 100 people and distributes its products across Germany and over 40 other countries.

The Schneider Weisse Brewery is known for its top-fermented wheat beers; most famously the Aventinus and TAP 7 Original. The product line consists of ten top-fermented wheat beers. Additionally, since 2021, there is also “Schneider’s Helles”, a traditional German bottom-fermented pale lager beer.

The Schneider Weisse Brewery and it’s history are a testament to the enduring legacy of the Schneider family and their commitment to brewing excellence. Their beers are a celebration of Bavarian brewing tradition, enjoyed by beer enthusiasts all over the world, including New Zealand.