Weihenstephaner Vitus 6Pk

Weihenstephaner Vitus 6Pk is a 7.7% ABV Bavarian weizenbock from the world's oldest brewery, packaged in six 11.2 oz (330 ml) bottles. Named the 2011 World's Best Beer at the World Beer Awards, Vitus stands as one of the most decorated wheat bock beers in production, continuing to collect gold medals at international competitions including the 2018 World Beer Awards and the 2018 European Beer Star.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.7%  |  Origin: Freising, Bavaria, Germany  |  Style: Weizenbock  |  IBU: 18  |  Brewery: Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

Production & Heritage

Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan traces its brewing origins to 1040 AD at the Weihenstephan monastery in Freising, Bavaria, making it the oldest continuously operating brewery on earth. Vitus is produced using a traditional decoction mashing process, which achieves better attenuation and contributes to the beer's surprising drinkability despite its elevated alcohol content. After primary fermentation, the beer undergoes an extra-long, cold lagering period in the monastery's historic cellars — a step that smooths out the high gravity and develops Vitus's refined, mellow character distinct from typical bock beers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried apricots and ripe banana lead the nose, followed by warm clove spice and bright citrus peel. The overall impression is inviting and complex without any sharp alcohol heat.

Taste: The entry is lightly sweet with soft stone fruit and orange zest, building into a round, mellow mid-palate where clove and subtle banana weave together. The body is full and effervescent — fine, persistent bubbles create a foaming sensation that keeps the sweetness in check and amplifies the fruity wheat character.

Finish: Surprisingly dry for a weizenbock, with gentle spice and citrus lingering as the sweetness fades cleanly. The 7.7% ABV is nearly invisible, leaving a refreshing close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Vitus

Vitus is best served in a traditional weizen glass at 46–50°F to allow its aromatic complexity to unfold fully. Pour slowly with the bottle inverted to incorporate the yeast sediment at the finish, swirling the last ounce before adding it to the glass.

• Weizenbock Shandy: Mix half-and-half with fresh lemonade — the stone fruit and clove notes add depth far beyond a standard shandy.
• Bock Michelada: The full body and dry finish hold up against lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire, creating a rich, savory serve.
• Beer Float: Pour over vanilla bean ice cream — the banana and clove spice play beautifully against cold cream, and the effervescence keeps it lively.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who values brewing heritage and world-class credentials
• Pairing with a weekend charcuterie spread or Bavarian-themed dinner
• Introducing someone to the weizenbock style through an accessible, award-winning example
• Fall and winter sipping sessions where a fuller-bodied wheat beer suits the season

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vitus taste like? Vitus delivers lightly sweet stone fruit, orange zest, and clove spice with a full, effervescent body that finishes notably dry. Despite its 7.7% ABV, it drinks more like a premium fruity wheat beer than a heavy bock.

How does Vitus compare to Schneider Aventinus? Schneider Aventinus is darker, with more pronounced dark fruit, chocolate, and warming spice from its higher ABV of 8.2%, while Vitus leans toward brighter citrus, banana, and stone fruit with a lighter, more effervescent mouthfeel. Both are considered benchmark weizenbocks, with Aventinus skewing richer and Vitus skewing more refreshing and approachable.

Is Vitus good for sipping neat? Vitus is an outstanding sipping beer — its complex aromatics, full body, and deceptively smooth 7.7% ABV reward slow, attentive drinking from a proper weizen glass.

Where is Vitus made? Vitus is brewed at Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan in Freising, Bavaria, Germany, located on the Weihenstephan hill where Benedictine monks began brewing in 1040 AD.

What foods pair well with Vitus? Weisswurst and sweet mustard complement the clove and banana character naturally. Roast pork with apple compote echoes the stone fruit notes. Sharp aged cheddar or Gruyère contrasts the malty sweetness. Thai green curry benefits from the effervescence and fruit-forward profile. Apple strudel or banana bread desserts mirror the beer's own flavor vocabulary.

What sizes does Vitus come in? This listing is a 6-pack of 11.2 oz (330 ml) bottles, which is the standard format for Weihenstephaner Vitus in the U.S. market.

Is Vitus worth the price? Vitus positions as a premium craft import, and its pedigree — brewed at the world's oldest brewery with a World's Best Beer title — places it at the top of the weizenbock category in both quality and value relative to other award-winning European imports.

Why Vitus?

Very few beers can claim a World's Best Beer title from the World Beer Awards, and Vitus earned that distinction in 2011 before adding gold medals at the 2018 World Beer Awards and 2018 European Beer Star. The decoction mash and extended cold lagering in historic monastery cellars give it a refinement that separates it from other wheat bocks — full-bodied and aromatic yet finishing dry enough to remain genuinely drinkable at 7.7% ABV. Produced at a brewery with nearly a millennium of continuous operation, Vitus represents the deep end of Bavarian wheat beer tradition without requiring any special occasion to open. It is simply one of the most accomplished weizenbocks available.