About Maisel

From Family Roots to Famous German Wheat Beer Producers

From humble beginnings, the Maisel Brewery has grown to become Germany's fourth-largest wheat beer producer. But what’s the story behind this acclaimed brewery?

Founded in 1887 in the Upper Franconian city of Bayreuth by brothers Hans and Eberhard Maisel, the Maisel Brewery continues a brewing tradition that stretches back over a century in their family.

Today, the brewery remains a family-owned enterprise, passionately led by Jeff Maisel, representing the fourth generation of dedicated brewers.

The company’s history is marked by vision, boldness, and the distinct values of a family-run business. It has grown remarkably from a regional brewery into one of Germany's leading producers of speciality beers.

The Brewer’s Star: Symbol of Tradition and Craftsmanship at the Maisel Brewery

In the 1920s, Maisel's brewers showcased their dedication to brewing tradition and craftsmanship by adding the 'brewer’s star' to their logo. Since then, pubs and inns serving Maisel's beers have proudly displayed the star on their signs, signalling to patrons that they can enjoy wholesome, high-quality speciality beers on tap.

The connection between beer and the six-pointed hexagram dates back to the alchemists. The downward-pointing triangle represents water, a key ingredient in beer, and earth, symbolising the barley malt. The upward-pointing triangle stands for the fire of the brew kettle and the air essential to the beer's carbonation.

Creating the 'Champagne of Wheat Beer': Maisel's Path to International Acclaim

In 1955, the Maisel Brewery achieved international acclaim with the creation of the "Champagne of wheat beer". Oscar Maisel, inspired by the crystal-clear wheat beer he encountered during his studies at Weihenstephan, developed a passion for this distinctive style. Together with his brother Hans, they set out to produce their own yeast-free wheat beer. Despite the challenges posed by equipment designed for bottom-fermented beers, they persevered - and ultimately triumphed in crafting an exceptional crystal-clear wheat beer.

Originally named ‘Champagner-Weizen’, later rebranded as 'Maisel’s Weizen Kristallklar', and known as Maisel's Weisse KRISTALL today, their wheat beer swiftly gained popularity.

The Maisel Brewery significantly contributed to the widespread adoption of this Bavarian speciality beer across Germany.

Rising Popularity of Maisel’s Wheat Beers: From 'Champagne of Wheat Beer' to Unfiltered Hefeweizen

In the 1970s, as the beloved "Champagne of wheat beer" continued to thrive, unfiltered hefeweizen (unfiltered wheat beer) also began to surge in popularity. With wheat beers gaining momentum across Germany, the Maisel Brewery embraced this trend by producing both the crystal-clear, yeast-free version and the unfiltered version. This dual approach sparked nationwide enthusiasm for wheat beer and elevated 'Maisel’s Hefe-Weissbier' to new heights of acclaim.

The Evolution of Maisel’s Wheat Beers: From Rebranding to Excellence

In the late 1980s, consumer preferences shifted from seeking particular beer varieties to favouring brand loyalty, especially regarding premium-quality wheat beers.

In 1988, ‘Maisel’s Weizen Kristallklar’ was rebranded as ‘Maisel’s Weisse KRISTALL’, while ‘Maisel’s Hefe-Weissbier’ became simply ‘Maisel’s Weisse’. Today, ‘Maisel’s Weisse’ is known as ‘Maisel’s Weisse ORIGINAL’.

Already recognised as one of Germany's top three wheat beer brands, renowned for its state-of-the-art brewing technology and exceptional quality, Maisel’s premium wheat beers boosted their brand to even greater success.

The Fourth Type of Maisel’s Weisse: Dark Wheat Beer With a Spicy Taste and Complex Aroma

In 1995, Maisel's Weisse portfolio expanded with the addition of Maisel’s Weisse DUNKEL - a rich, mahogany-coloured weissbier brewed with speciality dark malts. This new offering complemented the existing Maisel wheat beers and was introduced during a resurgence of dark, bottom-fermented beers across Germany.

Maisel’s Weisse Dunkel boasts a distinctive, slightly fruity weissbier character, complemented by a bittersweet, spicy blend of malt flavours that emerge from the first sip. The taste experience is further enhanced by notes of fruit and clove, delivering a full-bodied and exceptionally drinkable wheat beer that exemplifies the unique qualities of Maisel’s Weisse Dunkel.

1988 - Maisel's Weisse and 2000 - Maisel's Weisse Alcohol-Free

Launching Maisel’s Weisse ALKOHOLFREI: Crafting Quality in Non-Alcoholic Wheat Beer

In the year 2000, health-conscious German beer enthusiasts celebrated the launch of Maisel’s Weisse ALKOHOLFREI. Using a proprietary brewing process, Maisel’s brewmasters carefully removed the alcohol while preserving the distinctive qualities of Maisel’s Weisse ORIGINAL.

Today, consumers choose alcohol-free beers not just when driving or during pregnancy but also as delicious alternatives to soft drinks or bottled water.

Maisel’s Weisse ALKOHOLFREI caters to active people seeking a non-alcoholic wheat beer enriched with vitamins, isotonic properties, and 33% fewer calories than Maisel’s Weisse ORIGINAL.

Exploring Maisel’s Beer Experience World and Love Beer Restaurant: A Gateway to Bayreuth’s Beer Culture

In 2016, Maisel’s Bier-Erlebnis-Welt (Beer Experience World) and Liebesbier (Love Beer) hotel, restaurant and bar firmly positioned Bayreuth as a premier destination for beer enthusiasts.

At Maisel’s historic main building, visitors embark on a journey through four generations of brewing tradition. The site features a historic brewing museum, an innovative brewing workshop, and a stylish restaurant, offering a truly unique and all-round experience. Spanning over 4,500 square metres, Maisel’s Beer Experience World seamlessly blends Franconian beer culture with state-of-the-art technology.

Jeff Maisel realised a long-held and poignant dream with the opening of the Liebesbier restaurant. Together with his late cousin Andreas Maisel, Jeff had always envisioned a restaurant within the brewery. Since its grand opening in March 2016, German beer lovers have enjoyed 21 beer varieties on tap and explored around 100 different bottled beers, all while savouring delicious food. A stunning, fully glass wall allows diners to watch the Maisel & Friends brewmasters at work, further enriching the experience.

Savouring Tradition and Innovation: Experience Maisel's German Beers at Home

With every sip of Maisel's beer enjoyed at home, you too can savour a blend of tradition and innovation that spans generations. Whether you choose the deliciously complex Maisel’s Weisse ORIGINAL, its non-alcoholic counterpart, or Maisel’s Weisse DUNKEL - every bottle carries the legacy of Bavarian craftsmanship straight to your tastebuds!

As you savour the intricate flavours crafted by Maisel's master brewers, you connect with over a century of brewing passion. Maisel's beers are more than just drinks - they’re the past, present, and future of Bavaria’s thriving beer culture.

Explore our range of Maisel’s beers and experience the care and dedication that goes into each one - all from the comfort of your own home!

Your guide to our range of Maisel's beers is here. Prost!