König Ludwig is an imported Bavarian weiss beer from the Kaltenberg brewery (Schlossbrauerei), near Munich, which is owned and run by Crown Prince Luitpold, who took over the family brewery in 1976.
The Bavarian royal family, which held the monopoly for weiss beer in Europe until the early 18th century, has run the brewery for almost 700 years. Prince Luitpold claims to have the only royal residence in the world to contain a working commercial brewery. The Kaltenberg brewery is actually two breweries, one in Kaltenberg proper, where the dark beers are made, and the other in nearby Furstenfeldbruck, where the golden lagers and König Ludwig Weissbier is made.
König Ludwig is named after one of Prince Luitpold's ancestors. There have been a number of Ludwigs in the family, beginning with Ludwig the Severe, the first in his line to open a brewery - in Munich in the 12th century. There was also King Ludwig I - whose marriage in 1810 saw the start of the Oktoberfest tradition - and Ludwig II who built the amazing Neuschwanstein Castle (which became a model for Walt Disney's Dreamland in California).
Tasting notes
König Ludwig is golden in colour and has a naturally cloudy appearance derived from the special Bavarian brewers' yeast. It has a nice balanced flavour, with malty overtones and an aroma reminiscent of apples and bananas. The stimulating fruity experiences leave you with an unmistakably fruity tingle in the mouth.
Brand profile
Born: 1786
Birthplace: Bavaria, Germany
Abv: 5.5%
Available: Draught and 50cl bottle