German brewer Erdinger Weissbräu has announced the passing of its owner, Werner Brombach, following a short illness.

In a statement, the brewer said: “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.”

In 2025, Brombach transferred his shares 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”, the brewer said. 

“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,” Erdinger Weissbräu continued. “Werner Brombach will never be forgotten.”