Bitburger is one of Germany's most iconic breweries, founded in 1817 in the town of Bitburg, located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. Despite its considerable size and nationwide reach, Bitburger has remained a family business since its founding, with the Simon family taking over operations in 1842 and continuing to guide the brewery to this day. Over two centuries, Bitburger has grown into Germany's fourth largest brewing group, with annual sales of 6.5 million hectoliters of beer. The brewery's portfolio is anchored by its flagship Bitburger Premium Pils, a crisp pilsner-style lager with 4.8% ABV, first brewed in 1883 by Theobald Simon. This beer has become Germany's number one draft beer, a distinction that reflects the brewery's mastery of the classic German pilsner style. Bitburger has also expanded its range over the years, introducing the Bitburger Radler in 2005 — a refreshing blend of pilsner and lemonade without artificial additives — further broadening its appeal. Bitburger is consistently ranked as Germany's leading draft beer brand and holds the position of Germany's third best-selling beer overall. The Bitburger Braugruppe also serves as an umbrella for other well-known German brands, including Köstritzer Schwarzbier and König Pilsener. The historic brewery in Bitburg welcomes visitors for brewery tours, offering a look into the production facilities and the long heritage behind one of Germany's most recognized beer brands.