In summer, Bavaria’s “liquid food” is served in beer
gardens. And summer unofficially begins during Lent in March, when the
breweries market their bock beers such as Salvator, Maximator, or
Triumphator. No matter what you drink – ale, light beer, or Weißbier
(wheat beer) from Augustiner, Löwenbräu, or Paulaner – if you haven’t
sat on a wooden bench beneath the chestnut trees on a mild summer’s
night and sipped a Maß (a litre) of beer while enjoying the aroma of
pork sausage or grilled fish, you simply don’t know Munich.
Beer GardensDaily in season, usually mid-May–late Sep, from 10 or 11am to 11pm, sometimes later. Last orders usually 10:30pm It is best to use public transit when you visit a beer garden
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Munich is home to many
brewery dynasties. Locals often choose their favourite pubs and beer
gardens based on the brews they serve rather than location or food.
Personal preferences aside, the Purity Law, which dates back to 1516, is
strictly applied to all local beers. According to this law, beer is
pure only when it is brewed exclusively from malt (which is germinated
grain, usually wheat, barley or spelt), hops, yeast, and water. No
additives are allowed.
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Bavarian waitresses carry heavy loads
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All beer gardens also serve non-alcoholic beverages.
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Beer gardens are divided into full-service and self-service areas. In the latter, people are allowed to bring their own picnics.
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There are more than 100 beer gardens in Munich and surroundings: together, they can hold over 100,000 people.
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Make sure you try “Radi” (white or red radish), “Obazda” (seasoned Camembert), Steckerlfisch, and a large pretzel.
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Top 10 Beer GardensAugustiner-Keller This
vast beer garden shaded by ancient chestnut trees, near a former place
of execution, has existed since the 19th century. Two hundred decorated
tables for regular patrons add a whimsical note. On beautiful summer
evenings, this beer garden is packed. Don’t miss the special Augustiner
brew from wooden barrels. Löwenbräukeller A
quintessential Munich beer garden. The historic building – near
Löwenbräu brewery – hosts annual carnival balls and the tapping of the
first Triumphator barrel. Stiglmaierplatz 1,300 seats
Flaucher Located
on the banks of the Isar beneath a mature stand of trees, this lovely
beer garden has a park-like feel. Popular in the daytime with cyclists,
sunbathers, volleyball players, and families with children, it is
romantic in the evenings by candlelight. Isarauen 8 2,000 seats large playground
Hirschgarten Munich’s
largest beer garden – which features deer in an enclosure after which
the beer garden is named – lies near Nymphenburg Palace. The golden
Augustiner brews flow from a huge “stag” barrel. Hirschgarten 1 8,000 seats large playground
Chinesischer Turm In
the Chinese Pagoda, an Englischer Garten landmark, brass bands play on
the second floor on weekends. It is frequented mainly by students,
tourists, and local characters.
Seehaus A
place to see and be seen, this popular beer garden lies in the centre
of the Englischer Garten on a small lake. The terrace overlooking the
lake is more stylish, but the beer garden has a cosy atmosphere. Englischer Garten 2,000 seats (400 on the terrace) playground, boat rentals at the lake
Sankt-Emmerams-Mühle A beer garden that is both trendy and pastoral. Paulaner The
brewery’s beer garden on the Nockerberg is rather small, but famous for
its beer. In March, the brewery hosts a highly original annual event,
the Salvator-tapping. There is much laugher as prominent politicians
meet, submit to an evening of ribbing, and savour the new bock beer. Muffathalle Beer Garden On
a prime site beside the Isar, Munich’s newest beer garden sports
umbrellas instead of traditional chestnut trees. The Muffathalle menu is
well-suited to the beer garden – both are varied and full of surprises. Hofbräukeller Across
the Isar in Haidhausen, the Hofbräukeller, once also the site of the
brewery and its beer cellar, has attracted patrons since 1892. The
canopy of chestnuts is so dense that patrons remain dry and comfortable
even on rainy days.
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