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Which beers sold as foreign are brewed in Britain, and what to buy instead

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Work in progress. We are still reading cans and settling where listings disagree. Seen a beer whose small print contradicts its label? Tell us.

Where is Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier brewed?

Genuine import Verified Last checked 6 September 2026

Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier is genuinely imported from Germany, at the same strength as at home.

Listed by Tesco and Ocado when last checked. The product pages are among the sources below.

5.0%
UK
5.0%
Germany
The UK version matches the strength sold in Germany.

Every beer on the shelf by strength

Brewed for the UK in
Imported from Germany
Imported
Sold as a beer from
Germany
Munich friar emblem, German name and Weissbier styling
Brewed in (country)
Germany
Brand owner
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau GmbH)
HQ: Leuven, Belgium
UK strength
5.0%
Strength at home (Germany)
5.0%
Home-market strength of 5.0% read from REWE's page for the home market; the UK pack is 5.0%.
What the UK label says
“Country of Origin: Germany. Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau GmbH, D-80335 Munchen, Munich, Germany”
Source: ocado.com
More about the brand: rights, style, when it was created, where it is brewed at home
UK rights held by
Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I (AB InBev UK Limited) (as importer and distributor)
Style
German Wheat Beer
Brand created
1363, Germany
Brewed at home in
Munich, Germany (Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau GmbH)

In short

Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier is the real thing on origin: the beer in UK shops is brewed at Munich in Germany. It is also the same strength as at home, 5.0%. The brand belongs to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau GmbH). In the UK it is imported and distributed by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I. The label says: "Country of Origin: Germany. Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau GmbH, D-80335 Munchen, Munich, Germany."

Who has brewed it here

YearsBrewerSiteSource
Dates not establishedImported from MunichMunich, Germanyocado.com

What changed

Questions people ask

Where is Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier brewed?

The UK product is imported. It is brewed at Munich in Germany.

Is Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier brewed in the UK?

No. The UK product is brewed in Germany.

Is Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier really German?

Yes, on origin: the UK product is brewed in Germany.

Who owns Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier?

Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau GmbH), headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. In the UK the brand is handled by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I as importer and distributor.

What strength is Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier in the UK?

Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier is 5.0% ABV in the UK. In Germany it is 5.0%.

Is Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier weaker in the UK than in Germany?

No. It is 5.0% in both the UK and Germany.

See also

Bavaria Premium
Origin not established · 5.0% · sold as German
Unverified
Beck's
Magor · 4.0% · sold as German
Brewed here Verified
Beck's Blue
Imported from Germany · 0.05% · sold as German
Genuine import Verified
Bitburger Premium Pils
Imported from Germany · 4.8% · sold as German
Verified
Erdinger Weissbier
Imported from Germany · 5.3% · sold as German
Genuine import Verified
Holsten Pils
Northampton · 5.0% · sold as German
Brewed here Verified

Every beer sold as Germany · Every brand owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Sources

  1. Ocado (ocado.com), 5 September 2026: country of origin Germany, Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau Munich address, 5% ABV
  2. second research pass (thegrocer.co.uk): cited by second research pass
  3. second research pass (tesco.com): cited by second research pass
  4. second research pass (ocado.com): cited by second research pass
  5. REWE (German retailer) (rewe.de), 6 September 2026: German grocery listing for Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier Hell naturtrüb: 'Alkoholgehalt: 5 % Vol.'

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