Crétien (Christian) Weyand was born in Lorraine France.   He was not from a wealthy family and as such his education was only the primary schools of his native land.  At age 21, lacking a skill or trade he left for the promise of the New World.

He landed in New York City in the spring of 1847 and made his way to Buffalo, where he began work as a cobbler.  He was first employed by Forbush and Brown, but later established a stand with his brother August.

In 1866 (at age 40) he entered the brewing trade with partner John Schetter in the firm Weyand & Co.  Despite heavy competition in Buffalo the brewery grew quickly.  In 1870 the firm was renamed Weyand & Schetter, and in 1873 Weyand bought out the other investors and continued the brewery under his name alone.  The company was incorporated in 1890.  It had become one of the largest breweries in Buffalo, New York.

Weyand married Magdalena Mayer in 1852 and together they had eight children.  Only three were still alive when Magdalena died on February 15th 1898.  Christian Weyand followed her exactly three months later on the 15th of May.  He was 72 years of age.