Every year in Munich, Oktoberfest draws in millions of tourists to the city for a 16-day celebration. Although it’s known as a beer festival to many, Oktoberfest is actually a…
Every year in Munich, Oktoberfest draws in millions of tourists to the city for a 16-day celebration. Although it’s known as a beer festival to many, Oktoberfest is actually a celebration of Bavarian culture – with music, amusement rides, parades, and select breweries thrown into the festivities.
It’s been a national tradition since the early 1800s, which is why it’s somewhat controversial to say that Oktoberfest is not the only place and time to score some choice Bavarian brews.
But even though it’s an unpopular opinion, it has to be said: there are tons of other places in Munich and Germany where you can sample the best that Bavaria has to offer.
Must-Try Brews and Breweries in Munich
Tap House
The sheer variety of the over 200 different craft beers that Tap House carries is a testament to German efficiency. Ales, top-fermented beers, barrel-conditioned brews, stouts, porters, and other brews by local makers await in this Munich craft beer paradise.
Every connoisseur who’s been to Tap House will likely have a different answer to the question of which particular beer is their favorite due to this place’s vast variety and high quality of beers.
If you’re unsure of where to start — chili con beer is recommended by many regulars.
Weisses Brauhaus
In 1872, Weisses Brauhaus founder Georg Schneider was the first person to be awarded by King Ludwig II of Bavaria the privilege of brewing wheat beer. To this day, the Schneider family still owns and manages Weisses Brauhaus, and you can sample their same founding wheat beer recipe from 1872 under the name Schneider Weisse Original.
This was later renamed to Tap 7 My Original to draw attention to the brewery’s now varied selection, including Tap 6 My Aventinus (Bavaria’s first double wheat dough), and Aventinus Edelbrand, a beer that’s reportedly 42% alcohol.
Overall, Weisses Brauhaus is a medium-sized craft brewery to rival the Bavarian wheat beer giants.
Crew Republic
Few brewers actually have the gall to go against the traditional and legal definitions of what is actually considered beer in Germany. The bearded, tattooed founders of Crew Republic are part of that few.
With their motto of “Craft Beer is Not a Crime,” this pioneering craft brewery is responsible for a range of beer that valiantly go against Bavarian brewing traditions. Their pale ale, Foundation 11, is a definite standout.
Szene Drink
Don’t be fooled by this location’s convenience store look. Inside, you’ll find quite an impressive selection of bottled craft beer from all over Munich and the world. If you’re planning to bring some beers home, this is the place to go.
If you have any questions about the craft beers that they have in stock, don’t hesitate to ask the friendly staff as they are quite knowledgeable and friendly to anyone who’s willing to learn a thing or two about beer.
CREW AleWerkstatt
With this beer house’s selection of IPAs, double IPAs, and imperial stouts, it’s clear that it’s taking inspiration from the many American microbreweries that have been springing up lately. If they’re available, the 7:45 Escalation Imperial IPA and Roundhouse Kick Imperial Russian stout are definitely worth a try. Along with Crew Republic, CREW AleWerkstatt is intent on breaking the traditions of Munich wheat beer and taking it to delicious new heights.
These are a few of the many independent, small, and medium-sized breweries pushing the definition of beer in a place that’s largely known for traditional brews.
Bavaria is globally famous as a place where you can sample the greatest beers in the world. And while these craft breweries are challenging centuries-old brewing traditions, they’re also pushing all of Bavaria into a new age of taste. Check our post on some Bavarian dishes you have to try.
Bavaria’s traditional wheat beers are already famous enough through the efforts of its largest breweries along with the annual tradition of Oktoberfest, arguably one of the most publicized events in the world. In fact, apart from the live event itself, beer enthusiasts can also enjoy the excitement of Oktoberfest online.
Bier Haus, an Oktoberfest-themed title featured among FoxyBingo’s extensive library of games, is a tribute to the rich beer culture of Germany. Apart from the wheat beer itself, this game features images of the traditional dirndl and lederhosen in colorful and modern illustrations to attract newer audiences.
It’s just one of the various ways in which Oktoberfest – and Bavaria’s traditional beer culture – are being promoted right now. In other words, there’s no doubt that the world has already heard of Bavaria’s traditional wheat beers.
It’s time for the world to take notice of Bavaria’s newer small and medium breweries. If anyone can take traditional beer making methods to the next level, it’s the next generation of Bavaria’s craft beer makers.