Bischofshof

What Bischofshof does

Bischofshof (legal entity: Brauerei Bischofshof GmbH & Co. KG) is a traditional Bavarian brewery founded in 1649 and headquartered at Heitzerstraße 2 in Regensburg, Germany, operating as a German partnership with limited liability. The company produces approximately eight core beer varieties—including Regensburger Hell, Regensburger Zwickl, Original Festbier, Pils, Helles Weißbier, Weißbier Leicht, Heller Weißbierbock Altvater, and the Freigeist alcohol-free Zwickl—plus Bischofshof Cola Mix and specialty/seasonal SKUs such as Radler Quitte and the Jahn Halbe partnership beer with SSV Jahn Regensburg. Brewing follows the historical Regensburger Brauordnung of 1469 using regional Bavarian malts and Hallertau hops, with a proprietary natural process for the alcohol-free Zwickl using Hallertauer Blanc hops. The brewery achieved EMAS environmental certification in 2024 and has received 36+ consecutive DLG quality awards.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model combining retail distribution through regional supermarkets and beverage stores, on-trade gastronomy supply to restaurants and beer gardens via its own Bierfahrer (beer delivery) fleet, direct-to-consumer sales through the bischofshof.online-biershop.de online shop, gastro leasing (Gastro-Verpachtungen) arrangements, and brewery-owned hospitality venues including the Braustuben tavern, Wirtshaus im Heuport am Dom, Little Tony's café-bar, and the four-star Bischofshof am Dom hotel with 30 rooms in the historic Domherrenhaus (a ~€6 million investment completed in 2020). Customer segments include regional consumers in Regensburg and Oberpfalz, gastronomy partners, and sports clubs/fans engaged through sponsorships. Distribution is concentrated in the Regensburg and Oberpfalz region of East Bavaria.

Per January 2026 reporting, Bischofshof is being acquired by Schneider Weisse alongside the Weltenburger monastery brewery as part of consolidation in the German beer market, with closing expected by January 2027; the brewery had previously required capital injections from the Catholic diocese to sustain operations through years of financial losses. Management is led by Geschäftsführer Till Hedrich and Wolfgang Paul, with Erwin Saiko chairing the Verwaltungsrat.

Name

Bischofshof

Legal name

Brauerei Bischofshof GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://bischofshof.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Bischofshof is a traditional Bavarian brewery founded in 1649 in Regensburg, producing eight core beer varieties and operating its own delivery fleet, gastro leasing, online shop, and brewery-owned hotel and restaurants serving regional consumers in East Bavaria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bavarian Brewery

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Bavarian beer production
• Traditional lager brewing
• Regional brewery Regensburg
• Beer varieties wholesale
• Brewery hospitality operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Regensburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Beer and beverage product sales: Bischofshof generates revenue primarily through the production and sale of its eight beer varieties and the Bischofshof Cola Mix beverage. Distribution occurs through retail (supermarkets, beverage stores), gastronomy (restaurants, beer gardens, pubs), and direct-to-consumer via its own online shop (bischofshof.online-biershop.de). The brewery also operates its own hospitality venues (Braustuben, Bischofshof am Dom hotel/restaurant, Wirtshaus im Heuport am Dom).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Brauerei Bischofshof is a traditional Bavarian brewery founded in 1649 that produces and sells approximately ten beer varieties (including Regensburger Hell, Regensburger Zwickl, Pils, Original Festbier, Bruckmandl, wheat beers, Radler, and the alcohol-free Freigeist Zwickl) plus the Bischofshof Cola Mix beverage. Distribution occurs through regional retail, gastronomy partners, a direct-to-consumer online shop, an own beer delivery fleet, and brewery-owned hospitality venues including a four-star hotel and three restaurants.

Product overview

Brauerei Bischofshof is a traditional Bavarian brewery founded in 1649, producing approximately 8-10 beer varieties as its core products. The portfolio includes flagship Regensburger Hell (lager), Regensburger Zwickl (unfiltered), Original Festbier, Pils, and wheat beer variants (Helles Weißbier, Weißbier Leicht, Heller Weißbierbock Altvater). Seasonal and specialty offerings include Freigeist (alcohol-free Zwickl), Radler Quitte, NaturRadler, Bischofshof Cola Mix, and Jahn Halbe (SSV Jahn partnership beer). Beyond beer production, the company operates hospitality businesses including the Bischofshof am Dom hotel, Wirtshaus im Heuport am Dom restaurant, Bischofshof Braustuben, and Little Tony's café-bar. The brewery emphasizes regional identity ('Aus Regensburg. Für Freunde. Seit 1649') and community engagement through sports sponsorships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Freigeist: Non-alcoholic Zwickl beer, unfiltered and flavorful
• Regensburger Hell
• Bischofshof Cola Mix
• Radler Quitte
• NaturRadler
• Original Festbier
• Pils
• Weissbier Leicht
• Helles Weissbier
• Heller Weissbierbock Altvater
• Jahn Halbe
• Bruckmandl
• Regensburger Zwickl

Products and services

• Regensburger Hell Flagship Bavarian lager (Hell) beer brewed according to the Regensburg brewing ordinance of 1469, featuring mild malt and fine hop aromas. Sold to consumers in retail and gastronomy across Regensburg and Oberpfalz.
• Regensburger Zwickl Unfiltered, naturally cloudy lager beer offering a refreshing yet full-bodied taste with Regensburg city imagery on the label.
• Original Festbier Seasonal specialty beer traditionally served at festivals, featuring brewery carriage imagery on the label.
• Pils Pilsner-style beer available in 0.33L bottles featuring Bismarckplatz Regensburg imagery on the label.
• Bruckmandl Popular small-format (0.33L) beer featuring the silhouette of Regensburg's cathedral city on the label.
• Helles Weissbier Light-colored Bavarian wheat beer offering a balanced hop and malt character.
• Weissbier Leicht Light wheat beer variant with reduced alcohol content.
• Heller Weissbierbock Altvater Light-colored wheat bock beer offering strong malt character.
• Radler Quitte Refreshing radler (beer-lemonade mix) made with quince flavor, launched in 2022.
• NaturRadler Natural radler combining beer with lemonade using natural ingredients.
• Freigeist Alkoholfreies Zwickl Alcohol-free unfiltered Zwickl (less than 0.5% ABV) brewed using a 100% natural and gentle brewing process with Hallertauer Blanc hops and selected Bavarian malts. Naturally cloudy, full-bodied, and fruity.
• Bischofshof Cola Mix Refreshing mixed drink combining cola and orange juice with Bischofshof beer, marketed as spritzy for summer consumption.
• Jahn Halbe Co-branded beer partnership product with SSV Jahn Regensburg football club (official Bierpartner since 2016), also available in can format since 2024.
• Bischofshof am Dom Hotel Four-star hotel with 30 rooms and suites in the historic Domherrenhaus (Canon's House) at Regensburg Cathedral, operated by the brewery for tourists and business travelers.
• Wirtshaus im Heuport am Dom Traditional Bavarian restaurant at the Heuport near Regensburg Cathedral, opened March 2023 with nearly 200 seats across five rooms, serving slow-cooked Bavarian cuisine and Bischofshof beers.
• Bischofshof Braustuben Brewery tavern in Dechbettener Strasse, Regensburg, reopened June 2022 with new operators serving Bavarian cuisine and brewery-fresh Bishopfshof beers.
• Little Tony's (formerly Café Felix) Italian-American café-bar featuring Italian Pinsa, breakfast, lunch, coffee, cakes, and bar service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36 consecutive DLG quality awards (as of 2025)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Schneider WeissecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2027Schneider Weisse (Weissbier brewery from Kelheim) is acquiring both the Weltenburger monastery brewery and the Bischofshof brewery. The sale is expected to close by January 2027 and is driven by consolidation in the German beer market amid declining beer sales. The Catholic diocese had been injecting funds to keep Bischofshof operating due to years of financial losses.
• Eisbären RegensburgcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Ice hockey club sponsored by Bischofshof. The long-term sponsorship partnerships of Bischofshof in Regensburg sport (including Eisbären) were confirmed to continue beyond 2026 as part of a commitment to regional responsibility and continuity.
• Regensburg PhoenixcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026American football club in Regensburg sponsored by Bischofshof as part of the multi-club regional sport sponsorship program continuing beyond 2026.
• Regensburg AdlercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Regensburg sports club sponsored by Bischofshof as part of the regional sport sponsorship portfolio continuing beyond 2026.
• Armin Wolf LaufteamcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Running team sponsored by Bischofshof as part of the regional sport sponsorship program. Collaborated on charitable events such as the Bestzeitlauf (best time run) and the large pizza donation to Kinderzentrum St. Vincent.
• Bunker Ladies RegensburgcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Women's sports club (football) sponsored by Bischofshof as part of the regional sport sponsorship portfolio continuing beyond 2026.
• Bavarian CapsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Bavarian Caps, a Regensburg streetwear/accessories brand, collaborated with Bischofshof on a graffiti artwork by artist Jonas Heigl at the Bavarian Caps store in Regensburg (November 2024). This represents a cultural/creative marketing collaboration.
• Sebastian KretzminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Regensburg musician and singer Sebastian Kretz created the song 'Genieß as Leb'n' inspired by a Bischofshof film project. The song became a summer hit with over 28,000 clicks in the first days and was premiered on Bayern 3 radio. It is used in Bischofshof's brand film and available on streaming platforms, serving as a cultural marketing asset.
• REWAG (Regensburger Energie- und Wasser GmbH)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018REWAG's innovative energy center has been located on the Bischofshof brewery grounds since 2018. Together, they opened a bee educational trail (Bienenlehrpfad) with three brewery-owned bee colonies, promoting biodiversity and environmental awareness. This collaboration supports Bischofshof's sustainability and environmental management goals.
• SSV Jahn RegensburgflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Bischofshof has been the official Bierpartner (beer partner) of SSV Jahn Regensburg since 2016, after a years-long break. The partnership was renewed in 2020 and again beyond 2026. The collaboration includes the co-branded 'Jahn Halbe' beer, fan experience events, stadium presence, and shared values around regional identity and community. Bischofshof was one of the first partners to commit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kinderzentrum St. VincentminorOthersBischofshof partnered with Armin Wolf Laufteam and four Regensburger pizzerias (Da Tino, San Daniele, Valentino, L'Osteria Da Nino) to donate vouchers for 175 pizzas to the Kinderzentrum St. Vincent, a children's center in Regensburg. The donation came from funds raised at a 'Festa Italiana' event and a running competition.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan: World's oldest continuously operating brewery, located in Bavaria (Freising). Direct comparable as a heritage Bavarian brewery competing in the same traditional lager and Weissbier categories.
• Augustiner-Bräu: Traditional Munich brewery with deep Bavarian heritage and strong taproom/hall culture. Closely comparable in heritage positioning and regional gastronomy partnerships in the Bavarian market.
• Paulaner: Major Munich-based Bavarian brewery producing lager and Weissbier across the same traditional product categories. Competes for the same regional gastronomy and retail customers as Bischofshof in Bavaria.
• Schneider Weisse: Bavarian Weissbier brewery based in Kelheim that is acquiring Bischofshof. Comparable traditional Bavarian regional brewer with similar product portfolio and on-premise/hospitality presence; directly relevant as the acquiring peer with overlapping distribution and customer base.
• Hofbräu München: Iconic Munich-based state brewery with strong taproom and tourism presence. Comparable as a heritage Bavarian brewery combining brewing operations with major hospitality venues.
• Erdinger Weissbräu: Largest German Weissbier producer, Bavaria-based. Direct competitor in wheat beer and broader lager categories with substantially greater scale and national distribution.
• Spaten-Löwenbräu-Gruppe: Munich-headquartered brewery group (Spaten, Löwenbräu) producing traditional Bavarian lagers. Direct overlap with Bischofshof's core lager portfolio and Bavarian retail/gastronomy customers.
• Weltenburger Kloster-Brauerei: Bavarian monastery brewery being acquired alongside Bischofshof by Schneider Weisse. Comparably sized traditional Bavarian regional brewery with strong heritage and on-premise taproom operations, facing identical consolidation pressures.

Broad incumbents

• Krombacher: Large German regional brewery based in North Rhine-Westphalia. Comparable as a regional brewery with national distribution but operating at materially greater scale than Bischofshof.
• Bitburger: Major German pilsner brewer with national distribution. Comparable as a large German regional brewery facing similar consolidation dynamics in the German beer market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bischofshof
• Instagraminstagram.com/bischofshof

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bischofshof