Next dates
2027 dates not yet announced — typically around May. We're watching and will update this page when they land.
Quick answer
Maisel's Weissbierfest is a beer fest in Bayreuth, Bavaria. It runs from May 7–10, 2026. Four days on the Gebr. Maisel brewery grounds with free entry, live acts, and the FunRun Sunday.
Free-entry wheat-beer weekend on Maisel's Bayreuth brewery yard — live music, five Weisse styles, and the FunRun on Sunday.
Maisel's Weissbierfest turns the Gebr. Maisel brewery courtyard into a four-day open-air party before Ascension weekend. Expect Maisel's Weisse specialties, a big live-music lineup by day theme (opening party, 90s night, rock night, family/sports Sunday), and the regional FunRun. Bags larger than DIN A5 and dogs are not allowed on site.
The full story
Maisel's Weissbierfest turns the working grounds of Brauerei Gebr. Maisel, at Hindenburgstraße 9 in Bayreuth, into a four-day open-air festival every year on the weekend before Ascension Day. The 2026 edition, its 36th, ran Thursday 7 through Sunday 10 May: Thursday and Friday evenings from 6 PM lean into party atmosphere — an opening night and a "Back to the 90s" theme night — Saturday from 4 PM broadens into a rock-and-pop program, and Sunday shifts to family and sport, opening with the Maisel's FunRun (four distances, 4,000-plus runners, starting and finishing on the festival grounds) before a children's play street and an afternoon of live music that traditionally closes with a Sunday-evening set from Troglauer, Franconia's well-known "Heavy Volxmusic" act.
Entry is free throughout; food and beverages are paid on-site, and beer tokens (Biermarken) must be bought by card, though food stands still take cash. Bags larger than DIN A5 and dogs aren't allowed on the grounds, and no table or seat reservations are available.
Two ages are worth keeping separate. Brauerei Gebr. Maisel itself dates to 1887, founded by the Maisel brothers — brewery age, not festival age. The Weissbierfest traces to 1987, when the brewery threw a one-off Brauereihoffest to mark that 100th anniversary; the turnout was strong enough that it became an annual tradition from 1988. A straightforward year-count from 1988 would put 2026 closer to a 39th edition than the stated 36th — a gap only partly explained by a pandemic-era pause — so no precise founding year is locked in here. See Maisel's Weissbierfest page or explore Upper Franconia.
History
Brauerei Gebr. Maisel was founded in 1887 by the Maisel brothers in Bayreuth; their Weissbier became one of the most recognized wheat beers in Germany — that's the brewery's own age, not the festival's. The Weissbierfest itself traces to 1987, when the brewery threw a one-off 'Brauereihoffest' on its own grounds to mark its 100th anniversary; the turnout was large enough that it became an annual tradition from 1988 onward. (A straightforward year-by-year count from 1988 would put 2026 at roughly the 39th edition rather than the organizer's stated 36th — a gap only partly explained by a pandemic-era pause.)
On Tap
- Local focus
- Four days on the actual Gebr. Maisel brewery grounds in Bayreuth, with free entry and live acts.
- What to try
- This is Maisel's own turf, so their Weissbier is the obvious pour to start with.
- Best for
- Wheat-beer fans who want a brewery-grounds fest rather than a fairground tent.
- Bavaria On Tap take
- Free entry on a working brewery's own grounds is a rare combination — the Sunday FunRun adds a reason to stay through the weekend.
Practical tips
The English-language details German fest pages usually skip.
- Cash vs card
- Beer tokens (Biermarken) must be purchased by card; food stands accept both card and cash.
- Reservations
- No table or seat reservations are available — it's open seating throughout the grounds.
- Kids / family
- Sunday FunRun kids' races and the Kinderspielstraße (children's play street) run from around 10:00.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Maisel's Weissbierfest in 2026?
- 7–10 May 2026 (36th edition). The organizer's site has already started advertising the 37th edition for 29 April–2 May 2027.
- Is entry free?
- Yes. Entry is free; food and drinks are paid separately.
- Where is it and how do I pay?
- Brauerei Gebr. Maisel, Hindenburgstraße 9, Bayreuth — access via Hindenburgstraße. Beer tokens (Biermarken) must be paid by card; food stands still take card and cash.
- What happens on Sunday?
- Family and sports day: the Maisel's FunRun (kids distances through half marathon) starts from the festival grounds, plus a Kinderspielstraße and closing live music (Troglauer traditionally close).
- Family-friendly
- Free entry