Werner Brombach, the owner of world-famous Erdinger Brewery, has passes away aged 86.

The Erdinger brewery was originally founded in 1886 by Johann Kienle. The brewery’s famous identity and name would go on to be shaped by Franz Brombach, who bought it in 1935 and renamed it to Erdinger Weißbräu in 1949.

His son, Werner Brombach, later expanded it into a global brand. The brewery is known for its range of top-fermenting wheat beers such as the flagship Weissbier and Dunkel. It also produces a number of Helles, NaturRadler and other brews, too.

In a statement, the brewery said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our owner, Werner Brombach, who died on Saturday at the age of 86, surrounded by his family, following a short illness.

“Werner Brombach dedicated his life to the art of Bavarian brewing. As the second-generation owner of our brewery, founded in 1886, he transformed Erdinger Weissbier into a brand known and loved around the world – while always remaining deeply connected to his hometown of Erding. Werner Brombach was far more than one of Germany’s most influential brewery owners. He was a visionary, a pioneer and a passionate ambassador for the Bavarian way of life.

““My purpose in life is to be a brewer, heart and soul,” he once said. And he lived by those words every single day. His foresight also ensured that his life’s work will endure. In 2025, he transferred his shares in “Privatbrauerei Erdinger Weissbräu Werner Brombach GmbH” to the “Werner Brombach Family Foundation”, safeguarding the values that meant so much to him: uncompromising quality, a strong and independent Erdinger brand, and a deep commitment to Bavarian brewing culture.

“His legacy will live on – in Erding, in Erdinger and in the passion for Bavarian brewing that defined his life. We mourn the loss of an extraordinary entrepreneur, a true brewer driven by passion, and one of the greatest ambassadors of the Bavarian joy for life. Werner Brombach will never be forgotten.”