Löwenbräu is one of the world’s oldest and most iconic beer brands. The Löwenbräu brewery is located in Munich and was founded in 1383. Löwenbräu beer has been served at every Oktoberfest in Munich since 1810 and is one of six breweries allowed to do so.
In 1997, Löwenbräu merged with the Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu KGaA of Munich and became part of Brau Holding International GmbH & Co. KGaA. In 2004 ownership of Spaten-Franziskaner-Löwenbräu-Group was transferred to InBev, now known as Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer.
Meaning and history
Despite the fact that Löwenbräu is one of the most famous brands of German beer in the world, and is one of the “Munich Six”, whose members have the right to sell beer at Oktoberfest, the date of the brand’s foundation is still a mystery.
The fact is that according to one legend, the Zum Löwen Inn was built in 1383, and later a brewery appeared in this place. Some sources suggest that beer was brewed at this address in the early 16th century. However, the first mention of Löwenbräu beer in the Munich brewery register dates back to 1746.
One thing is certain: the brewery’s heyday began after Georg Brey acquired it. By 1863, the Löwenbräu had become the largest brewery in Munich, producing a quarter of all beer. However, the brewery was almost completely destroyed at the end of World War II, but after reconstruction, it regained its leading position both in Germany and abroad.
In 1997, Löwenbräu AG and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu merged to form Spaten-Löwenbräu GmbH, which became part of the Belgian Interbrew Group in 2003. Today Löwenbräu is associated by beer sommeliers with the Oktoberfest festival, and the brand’s products are exported to dozens of countries around the world. The emblem of the famous brewery depicts a lion, embodying courage and leadership.
Today
Löwenbräu means “lion’s brew” in German and its logo is an easily identifiable crest depicting a standing, tongue-flicking lion with a twisted double tail.
The name derives from the original brewpub known as Löwengrube (Lion’s Den) at house number 17 on a street of that same name. The lion emblem originates from a 17th-century fresco in the brewing house, depicting Daniel in the Lion’s den.
Löwenbräu as the name of the brewery at the Lion’s Den appears on record for the first time in a Munich brewer registry in 1746.
The Lowenbrau logo resembles of the Lion Rampant of Scotland. The term ‘lion rampant’ actually refers to the positioning of the Lion. A rampant lion is shown as a profile of a lion standing upright and the forelegs are raised, claws unsheathed, as if to strike.
The Lion usually symbolizes majesty, strength, and justice, military might and deathless courage. Along with the Lowenbrau color palette which includes two tones of blue (the color of kings) and gold – the Lowenbrau logo represents royalty, high quality of its product and a great heritage.