In this article we’re gonna share where we went for the best beer in Munich, how much it cost and throw in a few suggestions from locals too.
What's So Good About the Beer in Munich?
Beer from Munich is very pure, so it’s considered one of the best. Back in the 15th Century, a law was passed which meant the only ingredients allowed in Munich beer were hops, water and malt. Today Munich beer is still brewed from a traditional recipe and with these natural components.
Munich beer (or to be totally accurate ‘Münchner Bier’) is a protected term for beer, which means it’s made in a specific way and comes from a specific region, a bit like Stilton cheese or Champagne.
When we learnt that Munich beer was some of the purest in the world, well, we just had to try the best beer in Munich for ourselves!
Can you get the best beer in Munich at Oktoberfest?
Thanks in large part to the city’s larger than life annual beer festival, Oktoberfest, Munich is the go to destination if you’re looking to sink a few pints.
Oktoberfest serves beer from six breweries, coined ‘the big six’ which each brag lively beerhalls, alive with strident singing and the oom-pah-pah of their raucous bands. Each welcome in rafts of tourists hoping to nail the true Bavarian experience.
When we visited a few years ago, whilst we loved the sound of Oktoberfest, we were also really keen to find out:
- Who serves the cheapest pint in the city?
- Are there any microbreweries in the city?
- Where can you drink beer whilst also enjoying Munich’s trendy bar scene?
- And what historic pub features a ploy to make newbies buy the whole bar a round after one simple mistake?! (Niche? Never!)
So here we have it then. The best places for beer in Munich and our alternative beer tour of Munich, with some local recommendations thrown in!
Augstiner-Keller
Keeping things traditional, we started at Augustiner-Keller which pours the city’s oldest pint (well, not literally). The brew dates back to 1328 when the Augustinian Monks decided to craft a bevvy that was safer to drink than the polluted water at the time. Nice one lads!
It was a really nice beer – super delicious – and I tell ya, 1 litre at the start sure goes straight to your head! The crowd was a nice mix of tourists and German families and friends, enjoying lunchtime together. Out of all of the beerhalls, this is thought of as a more ‘authentic’ experience.
The food was also excellent – proper traditional German fare – and I may or may not have accidentally ordered six sausages. Whilst we visited in winter, this is a great place to come when the sun is shining as their beer garden has 5,000 seats!
Cafe Kosmos
Next, we headed to Cafe Kosmos which we heard was a great place to nab a bargain beer. It didn’t taste particularly special but if you’re on a budget, what a winner.
This place had a ‘rough around the edges’ feel which matched the laidback vibe, and the array of Barbie dolls featured throughout were entertaining in the least. A real local spot with a shedload of character.
Stehausschank
Stehausschank was our favourite spot. There used to be a load of standing bars across the city but this is the last one remaining and it’s exactly what it sounds like. A bar. Where you stand.
This place doesn’t seem to have any presence online but you just need to head to the restaurant Nuernberger Bratwurst Glieckl am Dom, and the bar is attached to it. Do not get it confused for one of the new standing bar additions, Giesinger Stehausschank.
Now there’s something VERY IMPORTANT you need to know about this particular bar and that is when approaching the hatch where you order you beer, do NOT ring the bell next to it.
This is because whoever rings the bell is BOUND to buy every single person in the standing bar a beer. It’s written clearly to the side of the bell, but only in German, so I’d love to know the number of tourists who have got this wrong! Hahaha.
Fortunately, we were saved by a wonderful local who basically shouted ‘DO NOT TOUCH THE BELLLLLL’ as my hand wavered up towards it. What a hero.
They serve Giesinger beer which is NOT one of the big six – but we’ll explain a little more about them later.
We particularly liked this place because it was so tiny, you simply had to chat to the other people there! I’d found out about this place on a Time Out list yet one local said she was surprised to see us in there – so perhaps it’s not quite as popular as the other usual haunts?
Hofbräuhaus
Here we go then.
Known as the ‘world’s most famous tavern’, Hofbräuhaus is a beer institution and whilst we knew it was a top tourist destination, we still wanted to check what all the fuss was about.
I was particularly wowed by its gorgeously painted ceilings but in all honesty, it was JUST TOO BUSY. We did managed to find a table but it took a while to get someone’s attention to order and it was really missing the local feel for us.
It is worth saying that there’s normally a Bavarian band playing music which I’m sure would liven things up – but they seemed to be a on a break when we were there. I’d still recommend going along, but try and head there at an off-peak time so you can experience it before it becomes overrun!
Giesinger Bräustüberl
Remember I mentioned that beer that wasn’t part of the big six? Well this is where it comes from!
Giesinger is a smaller, more modern brewery which makes a whole host of craft beers. Whilst it may not be an official beverage for the yearly Oktoberfest, it’s a brilliant alternative if you’re hoping to sample the city’s wares.
Having read online that they sometimes turn tourists away over locals, I was a bit nervous as to whether we’d get a spot (especially on a Saturday around 6pm) but we got lucky and got the last two seats at the bar. I think the fact that we wanted to eat too definitely helped.
You can book ahead here, so I’d deffo recommend this as it’s not as central as the other spots (we uber-ed it there in 10 minutes).
They’ve got a huge choice of craft beers – their own, and many more – so it’s definitely a great spot to check out.
Trisoux
Having necked around 5 pints already, James proclaimed that he was ‘full up’ of beer and so for our next spot, we wanted somewhere that not only served beer, but cocktails too. Trisoux was recommended by a local via Instagram and it was a really cool bar that was filling up with friends meeting for an early evening beverage or twelve.
What was great was that the beer on tap was Löwenbräu which, you’ve guessed it, is another big six player so it was a great way to sample that without being squished into a beerhall. It felt quite sophisticated in fact!
James, instead, went for a sherry and soda. Seriously. I’m disgusted.
And here endeth our alternative beer tour!
Local Recommendations For The Best Beer in Munich
Before you go!
As mentioned above, I asked a few Munich-based instagrammers for their insider tips, and the three who got back to me were so helpful. In general, they all said they avoided the main beerhalls but gave me a raft of bars that they’d hang out in instead. Here’s what they had to say:
Tobi
- Cafe Kosmos and Favorit-Bar are absolute institutions
- The Glockenbach area has lots of quirky small bars, one of the most popular is Robinson’s Bar
- For a more alternative but really cool place, head to Bahnwärter Thiel
- Alte Utting is a converted boat next to Container City, which has been curated by artists
Daniel
I only drink wine, Champagne and certain cocktails but for these, go to:
- Trisoux
- Jaded Monkey
- Pusser’s
- Flushing Meadows
- Goldene Bar
- Zephyr
- Bikini Mitte
- Oh, and my favourite, Von und Zu!
Charlie
- Prygoshin Bar
- Better Call Soul (yes, that is a Breaking Bad bar)
- Robinson’s Bar
- 55 Eleven
Thank you so much Tobi, Daniel and Charlie for sharing your knowledge of the best bars in Munich!
