Würzburger Hofbräu

Lore & Background

The Würzburg Hofbräu was established in 1643 by Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp von Schönborn. At the time, many Swedish soldiers in Würzburg had emptied most of the city's wine stores, prompting the prince-bishop to found the brewery. Because the brewery proved a good source of income, it was supported by his successor bishops. In memory of its founder, the crown of the prince bishop decorates the brewery logo.

During the 19th century, the Würzburg Hofbräuhaus became an internationally active company. In 1887 it was one of the first German breweries to export to the United States. As of 2011, it exports to buyers in the United States, Italy, and China, while remaining primarily a regional brewery in Lower Franconia.

Since 1993, the brewery was technically modernized and expanded through strategic acquisitions. In 1999, it took over the royal brewery Wächstersbach, and in 2011 it acquired Wernerbräu GmbH Lohrer, which today is called Tusker beer GmbH. Since 2005, the Würzburg Hofbräuhaus GmbH has been owned by the Kulmbacher Brewery, a subsidiary of Brau Holding International.

Reader's Guide

The Würzburg Hofbräu holds a distinct place as the sole brewery in the city of Würzburg, with its origins tied directly to a 17th-century prince-bishop's response to wartime shortages. Its founding in 1643 by Johann Philipp von Schönborn, after Swedish soldiers depleted local wine stores, established a brewing tradition that has endured for centuries. The brewery's logo, featuring the prince-bishop's crown, serves as a lasting emblem of its founder. Over time, the brewery expanded from a regional institution into an international exporter, notably shipping to the United States as early as 1887.

Despite this global reach, it has maintained its identity as a regional brewery in Lower Franconia. In the modern era, the brewery underwent technical modernization starting in 1993 and grew through acquisitions, including the royal brewery Wächstersbach in 1999 and Wernerbräu GmbH in 2011. Its ownership by the Kulmbacher Brewery, itself a subsidiary of Brau Holding International, reflects its integration into a larger brewing group while preserving its historical legacy. The Würzburg Hofbräu thus represents a blend of centuries-old tradition, regional loyalty, and strategic adaptation to changing markets.