Germany is world-renowned for its beer culture, and with over 1,500 breweries spread across the country, it holds the title of having the most breweries in the world. From small, family-run operations to massive international players, German breweries produce a staggering amount of beer every year. But who are the biggest players in this industry?

Let’s put some numbers into perspective:

• One hectolitre (hl) equals 100 litres of beer – that’s about 267 standard 375ml bottles.
• A brewery producing 2 million hectolitres annually brews 200 million litres – enough to fill 8 Olympic swimming pools (each holding approx. 250,000 litres).

Here are the top 20 breweries in Germany by annual production volume (2022–2023), with a short profile of each:

1. Krombacher Brauerei – 5.76 million hl

Founded in 1803 and located in Kreuztal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Krombacher is Germany’s largest privately owned brewery. Best known for its crisp Pilsner, Krombacher emphasizes sustainability and quality. It remains independent and family-run by the Schadeberg family.

2. Oettinger Brauerei – 5.49 million hl

Known for budget-friendly beer, Oettinger operates out of Oettingen in Bavaria. Founded in 1731, it avoids advertising costs and distributes directly to keep prices low. Despite its enormous volume, it remains a privately held and independent brewery.

3. Radeberger Gruppe ~5.0 million hl

Part of the Oetker Group, Radeberger is a brewery conglomerate with multiple brands under its umbrella, including Radeberger Pilsner, Jever, and Berliner Kindl. It’s headquartered in Frankfurt and is not independent.

4. Bitburger Braugruppe – 3.64 million hl

Founded in 1817 in Bitburg, Bitburger is family-owned and one of the most respected breweries in Germany. Its flagship Pils is a staple across German bars. The group also owns brands like Köstritzer and Licher.

5. Veltins – 3.36 million hl

Founded in 1824 and located in Meschede-Grevenstein, Veltins is known for its clean, balanced Pilsener. The brewery is still family-owned and places a strong emphasis on modern production methods.

6. Paulaner Brauerei – 2.44 million hl

Established in 1634 by monks in Munich, Paulaner is famous for its Hefe-Weissbier and Oktoberfest Bier. While Heineken owns a minority share, Paulaner is primarily owned by the Schorghuber family.

7. Beck’s (Brauerei Beck & Co.) – 2.42 million hl

Founded in 1873 in Bremen, Beck’s is one of Germany’s best-known export beers. It is no longer independent and is owned by global giant AB InBev.

8. Warsteiner Brauerei – 2.01 million hl

This brewery has been family-owned since 1753 and is based in Warstein. Warsteiner is known for its premium Pilsner and international presence.

9. Erdinger Weißbräu ~1.8 million hl

Erdinger is the world’s largest wheat beer brewery, based in Erding, Bavaria. Founded in 1886, it is privately owned and maintains a strong export business.

10. Franziskaner – 1.23 million hl

Dating back to 1363, this Munich-based brand is now under AB InBev. It’s known for its traditional Hefe-Weissbier and its iconic monk branding.

11. Augustiner Bräu ~1.15 million hl

Munich’s oldest brewery (founded in 1328), Augustiner is beloved for its Edelstoff and Helles. It is proudly independent and run by a charitable foundation.

12. Hacker-Pschorr ~1.1 million hl

This brewery dates back to the early 15th century and is known for its role in Oktoberfest. It’s now part of the Paulaner Group and retains a strong traditional identity.

13. Spaten ~1.0 million hl

Another Munich giant, Spaten was founded in 1397 and is one of the six breweries allowed to serve at Oktoberfest. It is now owned by AB InBev.

14. Tucher Bräu ~950,000 hl

Based in Nuremberg and founded in 1672, Tucher produces a wide range of traditional Franconian-style beers. It is owned by the Radeberger Group.

15. Köstritzer (Bitburger Group) ~900,000 hl

One of the most iconic Schwarzbier (black beer) producers, Köstritzer dates back to 1543 and is now part of the Bitburger family.

16. Ayinger Privatbrauerei ~800,000 hl

A family-owned brewery near Munich, Ayinger is known for its award-winning lagers and wheat beers. Founded in 1878, it remains proudly independent.

17. Gaffel Kölsch ~700,000 hl

Gaffel is one of Cologne’s most popular Kölsch breweries, family-owned since 1908. Its crisp, top-fermented beer is a local favourite.

18. Rothaus ~650,000 hl

Owned by the state of Baden-Württemberg, Rothaus is known for its Tannenzäpfle Pils and retro branding. It was founded in 1791 and is a strong regional player.

19. Berliner Kindl-Schultheiss-Brauerei ~600,000 hl

Operating under the Radeberger Group, this Berlin-based brewery produces the well-known Berliner Kindl line. It has roots going back to the 19th century.

20. Flensburger Brauerei ~550,000 hl

This northern brewery is famous for its swing-top bottles and clean Pilsner. Founded in 1888, it is family-owned and proudly independent.