Munich is one of the world’s great beer cities. Here’s how to experience beer culture in Bavaria’s capital year-round.
I was fortunate to travel to Munich, Germany in search of cultural sights and, well, beer. Bavarian beer is no secret, with Oktoberfests popping up around the United States and beyond. But I was surprised by just how awesome the beer culture is in Munich. Even if you don’t make it into a museum, the city is worth the trip for the famous brews. In this Munich beer guide, I’ll give you my recommendations for experiencing Munich’s beer culture year-round.
Everything is within a few subway stops of the central Marienplatz, except for the beer pilgrimage at the end.
History
Brewing in Bavaria goes back a long time, and the brewers of medieval Germany were responsible for developing styles we still enjoy. In fact, Weihenstephan Brewery just north of Munich claims to be the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world, tracing its history back to monks in the year 1040.
By the 1400s, Germans developed the process of cold fermentation to make lager beer. That’s the way pilsners and basically all of the most popular beer brands are made today. Bavaria is also responsible for the famous beer purity law, the Reinheitsgebot. It helped preserve traditional styles of beer in the area.
Fast forward to October of the year 1810. Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria was getting married, and he decided to throw the ultimate wedding reception! He invited all the citizens of Munich to attend festivities outside the city gates, complete with lots of beer of course. The party was so popular that Munich locals decided to make it an annual event, launching the tradition of Oktoberfest that continues today.
Now, Oktoberfest draws around 6 million people to Munich each year. That’s a lot of beer drinkers!
Munich Beer Tour
So, how should you appreciate this rich beer culture? My first recommendation is to go on a beer tour. I always recommend food tours when visiting a new city, but when in Munich, beer! I went on a tour with Radius Tours and had a blast. If you do one beer-centric activity, I’d go for this.
We stopped by the Oktoberfest and Beer Museum for some background info and tasting of the traditional beer styles. We got to compare helles, dunkel, and weissbier in close succession. It’s a great way to figure out which is your favorite and learn what goes into each.
Later, we stopped at the Hofbräuhaus to enjoy the beer hall/beer garden atmosphere. It’s always a party at Hofbräuhaus, and it’s fun to go with a group.
We rounded out the night with dinner at a restaurant. We got lots of suggestions along the way for beer-related and non-beer activities. Overall, it was a great way to learn something and enjoy a few beers with fellow travelers.
Munich Beer Styles
So what is the beer like in Munich? Here’s a quick primer from a traveler’s perspective. (Sorry, I’m not a brewer).
Helles – The most popular beer style of Munich. Helles means “bright” in German, and it’s a good description of this light and sweet lager. The ingredients adhere to the famous purity law: barley, hops, water, and yeast. It’s well-balanced and goes with everything.
Dunkel – Dunkel (literally, “dark”) is the darker counterpart to helles. It has a more malty and toasty flavor, with a deep brown color. This comes from the roasted malt added into the mix. Despite the appearance, it’s not a very “heavy” or sweet beer.
Weissbier (Weizen) – You’ll see Weissbier and Weizen used somewhat interchangeably to refer to beers made with wheat. They typically have a soft taste with fruity and yeasty flavors, sometimes even a note of spices. Weissbier is brewed differently than helles and dunkel. It’s made with top-fermenting yeast, which brings out these complex flavors.
These are just the basics. There are other styles to try, from crisp pilsners to sweet bock beers. Just don’t expect a huge variety of beers on tap at any one place. Having a few quality beer options is seen as sufficient for most places in Bavaria.
Famous Breweries and Beer Halls
Next, let’s talk about the breweries. Munich has many to choose from, but these are my recommendations for a first-time visitor.
Hofbräuhaus – This is easily the most famous brewery from an international perspective. It was founded by the Duke of Bavaria, and it’s one of the oldest beer halls in town. Hofbräuhaus is a huge place with a festive and fun atmosphere. Oom-pah music fills the air as folks sway back and forth with their beers held high! Of course, the flip side is that Hofbräuhaus is dominated by international tourists. Does this detract from the fun? Not for me.
Augustiner – Of the major breweries, this is probably the local favorite. Augustiner beer is not widely distributed, and the company is still locally owned. They have several great spaces in Munich, including a restaurant along the pedestrian way called Augustiner Stammhaus and a big beer hall near the main train station called the Augustiner Keller. Is their beer the best in Munich? Try for yourself and decide.
Giesinger – Giesinger is the new kid on the block by a few hundred years. Started in 2008, they brew some of the same classic Bavarian styles as well as newer variations. Though they may not have the weight of history behind them, Giesinger’s beer rivals the bigger breweries in taste. I unfortunately did not make it to their Bräustüberl restaurant, but it is on my list for a return visit!
Other Breweries – You can’t go wrong with any of the “Big 6” breweries in Munich, the classic breweries that serve beer at Oktoberfest. Those are Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten, plus the aforementioned Hofbräu and Augustiner. All of them have outposts in Munich.
Beer Gardens
If the weather is nice, take your beer adventures outside! Munich’s beer gardens are outdoor spaces with long, picnic-style tables and a few trees where you can drink beer and eat. They offer a social atmosphere and much of the same food and drink you’ll find in the beer halls. A couple of recommendations:
Viktualienmarkt – The Viktualienmarkt is Munich’s central market, a haven of tasty food. If the market isn’t on your itinerary, you should add it. The beer garden is centrally located and loved by both locals and tourists alike. The beer served rotates between Munich’s six main breweries.
Chinesischer Turm – Munich’s sprawling Englischer Garten park has multiple beer gardens, but the most famous is marked by a Chinese-style pagoda called the Chinesischer Turm. It’s a huge area that seats thousands. Grab a beer and join the festive crowd!
There are also beer gardens at Hofbräuhaus and the Augustiner Keller.
Bier & Oktoberfest Museum
Looking for a more educational beer experience? The Beer and Oktoberfest Museum showcases the history of Munich’s beer, including everything from production methods to the people who made it. One floor is dedicated to Oktoberfest, with images of the early festivals. And yes, there is a pub where you can sample more beer and get a bite to eat. It’s just a short walk from Marienplatz close to the Isartor.
Beer Pilgrimage: Kloster Andechs
To delve even deeper into Bavarian beer culture, head out to Kloster Andechs for the day! About an hour’s drive from Munich, Kloster Andechs (Andechs Monastery) is a beautiful historic monastery where Christian pilgrims have come to worship since at least 1130 AD. They’ve been brewing beer at this “holy mountain” for hundreds of years, and it’s one of the few monastic breweries still operated by a religious order today. Their beer is simply fantastic! You’ll find the usual Bavarian styles like helles and dunkel elevated to perfection. They are also famous for their bock beer. Visit the Rococo-style church while you’re there, and leave plenty of time to enjoy the beer garden. Sitting with a delicious beer in hand enjoying the beautiful countryside views makes for the perfect beer-centric side trip.
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