Humans have brewed alcoholic beverages since antiquity. The Egyptians were producing wine and beer for daily use as early as 4000 B.C., and by the Middle Ages many Europeans routinely drank ale or beer with their meals.
Several modern wineries, breweries and distilleries trace their origins to monasteries where monks perfected recipes for high-quality beer, wine and spirits. Those recipes were often preserved and passed down through generations before the operations were privatized or nationalized in later centuries.
The brands below are among the oldest that still make and sell alcoholic beverages today. Many remain in the hands of the same families or companies that began them. This list is not exhaustive: the first eight entries date back to medieval times and continue production, while later entries (16th century onward) were chosen for their distinctive histories and geographic variety.
Staffelter Hof
Staffelter Hof
Year founded: 862
Country: Germany
Specialty: Wine
Where you can buy it: Direct from the winery in Germany and in limited locations abroad
Staffelter Hof began as a wine-producing abbey in the Rhineland, with records dating to 862. The land was granted by royal decree and remained under monastic control until 1805, when a private family purchased the estate. Their descendants still operate the winery. A distillery was added in 1890 and, in recent years, the property has expanded to include a guesthouse.
Chateau de Goulaine
Chateau de Goulaine
Year founded: 930–1000 (approx.)
Country: France
Specialty: Wine
Where you can buy it: Online and at select wine merchants
The Goulaine family established a fortified château in the Loire Valley in the 12th century on ancestral lands and began producing wine for local use. Over time the family commercialized those wines under the Chateau de Goulaine name. The family was ennobled in 1610 and still owns the estate, making it one of Europe’s oldest continuously family-owned businesses. In recent decades the property added attractions such as a butterfly conservatory housed on the grounds.
Weltenburger
Weltenburger
Year founded: 1035 (estimated)
Country: Germany
Specialty: Beer
Where you can buy it: Beer and specialty stores worldwide
The Benedictine monastery at Weltenberg has roots going back to around 600, but the first recorded evidence of brewing dates to 1035, when the death of the master brewer was noted. Weltenburger beer continues to be matured in rock cellars beneath the original monastery and the brewery still maintains strong ties to its monastic brewing heritage.
Weihenstephan
Weihenstephan
Year founded: 1040
Country: Germany
Specialty: Beer
Where you can buy it: Widely available in stores across the United States and internationally
Monks at the Weihenstephan Monastery were already known for brewing by the late 8th century. In 1040 they received a city license to sell beer. Despite fires, invasions and plagues over the centuries, the establishment developed a reputation for brewing excellence. Nationalized in 1803, the brewery also became a school for brewing and agriculture; generations of brewmasters have trained there. Today Weihenstephan beers continue to earn international awards and are distributed globally.
Affligem
Affligem
Year founded: 1074
Country: Belgium
Specialty: Beer
Where you can buy it: Select retailers worldwide
In 1074 six knights renounced arms to become monks and founded the Affligem Abbey. There the monks learned to brew and maintained their recipes for centuries, even after the abbey was destroyed twice. During World War II the abbey’s brewing equipment was confiscated and brewing ceased for 15 years. In 1956 the monks entrusted their traditional recipes to a commercial brewer, which continues producing Affligem beers; packaging still reflects the abbey’s heritage.
Sudo Honke
Sudo Honke
Year founded: 1141
Country: Japan
Specialty: Sake
Where you can buy it: Widely in Japan and available online in some international markets
Sudo Honke was founded by a family of samurai who established a brewery to support the local economy and meet tax obligations. It is recognized as the world’s oldest sake brewery and has survived earthquakes, tsunamis, wars and other disruptions. The company is still run by the founding family’s descendants—now the 55th generation—and uses local artesian water and rice to produce limited annual quantities.
Frapin
Frapin
Year founded: 1270
Country: France
Specialty: Cognac
Where you can buy it: Available online and from wine and spirits retailers worldwide
The Frapin family began as winegrowers and later became distillers, still owning nearly 600 acres of vineyards. Their lineage includes the Renaissance writer François Rabelais. From the late 19th century, Frapin cognacs earned awards and international recognition. Notably, Gustave Eiffel supplied ironwork for distillery buildings in 1892, and in 2008 Frapin Cognac was named “Best Spirit in the World” at a major spirits competition.
Marchesi Antinori
Antinori
Year founded: 1385
Country: Italy
Specialty: Wine
Where you can buy it: Widely available through wine merchants and online
The Antinori family moved from weaving and banking into winemaking in 1385 and became one of Tuscany’s most prosperous families by the 16th century. Over centuries they expanded production and innovation—introducing notable Chianti wines in the 20th century and pairing their wines with Tuscan cuisine in family-run restaurants. The Antinori estate remains family-owned after more than twenty-five generations.
Bols
Bols
Year founded: 1575
Country: The Netherlands
Specialty: Fruit liqueurs, genever (Dutch gin), vodka
Where you can buy it: Widely distributed in liquor stores and available online
The Bols family began distilling fruit and spiced liqueurs in Amsterdam in 1575, producing flavors such as cumin, cardamom and orange. By the mid-17th century Bols was exporting around the world and later developed genever, the Dutch predecessor of gin. The brand eventually added vodka and now offers a broad portfolio of liqueurs and spirits.
Bushmills
Bushmills
Year founded: 1608
Country: Ireland
Specialty: Whiskey
Where you can buy it: Available online and at local liquor retailers worldwide
Bushmills was granted a royal license in 1608 and claims to be the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. The distillery has endured fires, wars and centuries of change; during World War II it temporarily closed to house troops. Bushmills continues to produce award-winning whiskeys and remains an iconic name in Irish distilling.
Kopke
Kopke
Year founded: 1638
Country: Portugal
Specialty: Port
Where you can buy it: Select wine shops worldwide
German merchant Nicolau Kopke settled in Portugal in the 1630s and began trading wine. By 1638 his bottles were being shipped to Northern Europe. Later the company acquired vineyards and concentrated on producing and aging port, building a reputation for tawny and aged ports prized by collectors.
Mount Gay Rum
Mount Gay Rum
Year founded: 1703
Country: Barbados
Specialty: Rum
Where you can buy it: Available at select liquor retailers worldwide
During the 18th century Barbados was a hub of sugar and rum production. John Gay refined distillation methods using double stills and established Mount Gay Rum, which is recognized as the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery. Its rum was historically shipped from Bridgetown and the brand today maintains a strong connection to maritime traditions, sponsoring sailing events internationally.
Maison Ruinart
Maison Ruinart
Year founded: 1729
Country: France
Specialty: Champagne
Where you can buy it: Available at select wine retailers worldwide
Nicolas Ruinart, a former Benedictine, established the world’s first Champagne house in 1729. The house introduced the first rosé Champagne in 1764 and purchased nearby chalk quarries to use as cellars; those vaulted chalk cellars are still used for aging and are recognized as part of the region’s industrial heritage.
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace
Year founded: 1773
Country: United States
Specialty: Bourbon whiskey
Where you can buy it: Limited availability at select liquor stores
Named for the buffalo crossing on the Kentucky River near the distillery’s site, Buffalo Trace traces its origins to 1773 and is regarded as the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States. During Prohibition the distillery obtained a medicinal permit that allowed limited production. Today it operates on a large estate, has received multiple industry awards and remains family-owned and managed.