In my last post about Munich, I mentioned Gemütlichkeit, the feeling of belonging and friendliness. Naturally, it involved beer and Bavarian beer halls, which I’ve decided to expand on here. If you’re travelling to Munich, then these are the places where you’ll be able to enjoy your bier the way Müncheners intended.
Most beer halls and beer gardens in Munich brew their own beer and serve them up with a platter of local dishes that you can enjoy to the sounds of Bavarian folk music. Enjoy!
Weisses Bräuhaus
This beer hall specializes in Weissbier, or wheat beer, and has been an important part of Munich’s beer scene since the 19th century. The Tal site is where Georg Schneider brewed his first Schneider Weisse Original in 1872. The place is one of the most beautiful traditional beer halls in the city. If you’re looking for something a little lower key, there is a Weisses Bräuhaus in Laim as well, filled with regulars who enjoy the traditional dishes and speciality beers served here.
Hofbräuhaus München
This place is one of the more touristy beer halls in Munich – and for good reason. People from all around the world visit Hofbräuhaus München because of its robust history: it was the Royal Brewery for the Kingdom of Bavaria and established in 1589. You get oompah bands, waitresses wearing dirndls, and one-litre beer steins. They also value their loyal customers, who get reserved tables known asStammtisch, and lockers for beer steins.
Hirschgarten
This beer garden provides space for up to 8000 people and is the largest in the world. They have a self-service buffet where you can dine on roast pork, salads, and of course, freshly baked pretzel to have along with your beer. They serve Augustiner on tap, served straight from wooden kegs. Hirschgarten is also one of the best for scenery: the garden is next to a deer park, so you may see some wildlife while you sip your beer under the shade of a chestnut tree.
Viktualienmarkt
If it’s variety you crave in Munich, then the Viktualienmarkt is a great place to spend some time. It isn’t a traditional beer garden, but what you get in exchange are plenty of food and drink options. The surrounding food market is where you grab classic Bavarian fare and take it to a tree-shaded table. This beer garden has no loyalties to any one Munich’s breweries — they rotate serving beer from all six.
Seehaus
If you’ve got someone to impress, you can head to the posh Seehaus just on the shore of the lake in the English Garden. They serve Paulaner and Maß Hell beer at around €8.80, making it one of more expensive beer gardens in the city. That said, its convenience is hard to dispute if you working out in the park or taking a break from exploring the English Garden. Refuel with a beer and some of their tasty roasted pork knuckle.
If you’re heading to Munich in the summer, you should definitely make an effort to enjoy Germany’s greatest institutions: beer halls, beer gardens, and beer in general!
This post is part of the #HipmunkCityLove series – check them out if you’re looking for a cheap hotel in Munich!
Photos by Sarah Rose and Ray Debarshi via Flickr