🍺 14-Day Bavaria & Bohemia Beer Pilgrimage 🏰

Frankfurt → Bamberg → Franconian Villages → Czech Bohemia → Munich → Home

45+ Breweries • 2 Countries • Infinite Prost!

💡 Trip Tips & Suggestions

• Best season: May-September (beer gardens open). Annafest in Hallerndorf (late July) is unmissable.
• Transport: Rent a car from Frankfurt OR use excellent German/Czech trains. Bavaria Ticket = unlimited regional trains for €29/day.
• Franconian brewery walks: Don't drive! Use the Brauereienweg hiking trails between village breweries.
• Czech Republic: Beer is cheaper than water. Average pint: €1.50-2.50. Always order "čepované" (draft).
• Zoigl tradition: Check the Zoigl calendar online - these communal brewhouses only open on specific days (star symbol on house = open).
• Packing: Bring a 1L Maßkrug carrier bag. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for brewery trails.

DAY 1

✈️ Frankfurt Arrival → Bamberg

📍 Frankfurt Airport → Bamberg (2h train or 2.5h drive)
Evening: Schlenkerla (Dominikanerstr. 6) - The world-famous Rauchbier tavern. Order the Märzen Rauchbier straight from the oak barrel. Medieval vaulted cellar. Must-do first night ritual.
DAY 2

🏰 Bamberg City Brewery Crawl

📍 Bamberg Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage)
Morning: Spezial (Obere Königstr. 10) - The local's Rauchbier, subtler smoke than Schlenkerla
Lunch: Mahr's Bräu (Wunderburg 10) - The legendary "aU" Ungespundetes Kellerbier, arguably Germany's best lager
Afternoon: Fässla (Obere Königstr. 19-21) - Iconic dwarf logo, try Zwergla dark lager
Evening: Greifenklau (Laurenziplatz 20) - Best beer garden view in Bamberg, overlooking the city
Nightcap: Klosterbräu (Obere Mühlbrücke 3) - Oldest brewery in Bamberg (1533), try the Schwärzla
DAY 3

🌾 Franconian Village Breweries - North

📍 Memmelsdorf → Merkendorf → Schammelsdorf
Morning: Drei Kronen Memmelsdorf - Historic brewery with Stöffla Kellerbier
Lunch: Brauerei Wagner, Merkendorf - Tiny village gem, incredible Ungespundetes
Afternoon: Brauerei Hummel, Merkendorf - Another village treasure, rustic Landbier
Evening: Brauerei Knoblach, Schammelsdorf - Authentic farm brewery, traditional Franconian Vollbier
🥾 This is part of the Brauereienweg (brewery trail) - walk between them!
DAY 4

🍻 Hallerndorf & Southern Franconia

📍 Hallerndorf → Geisfeld → Buttenheim
Morning: Brauerei Rittmayer, Hallerndorf - Multiple beer cellars in the hillside, outstanding Kellerbier
Lunch: Lieberth Keller, Hallerndorf - Classic Franconian beer cellar under chestnut trees
Afternoon: Brauerei Griess, Geisfeld - Off-the-radar village brewery, genuine hidden gem
Evening: St. Georgen Bräu, Buttenheim - The birthplace of Levi Strauss! Historic Kellerbier
🎪 If visiting late July: Annafest in Hallerndorf - 23 beer cellars open simultaneously!
DAY 5

🏔️ Aufseß & Upper Franconia Deep Cut

📍 Aufseß → Vierzehnheiligen → Zeil am Main
Morning-Lunch: Aufseß 4-Brewery Loop - Guinness World Record: most breweries per capita (4 for 1,500 people!). Visit Reichold, Rothenbach, Stadter, Kathi-Bräu
Afternoon: Brauerei Trunk, Vierzehnheiligen - Next to the stunning Basilica, spiritual + beer combo
Evening: Brauerei Göller, Zeil am Main - Excellent Rauchbier and Kellerbier, beautiful Franconian town
🏆 Keesmann Herren Pils back in Bamberg for a nightcap - cult-classic German Pilsner
DAY 6

⭐ Zoigl Country & Border Region

📍 Bamberg → Bayreuth → Windischeschenbach/Neuhaus
Drive east: Through beautiful Franconian Switzerland landscape
Afternoon: ZOIGL brewhouses in Windischeschenbach/Neuhaus/Eslarn - Ancient communal brewing tradition! Look for the six-pointed star on houses (= beer available today). Unfiltered, bottom-fermented, brewed by citizens in the community Zoiglhaus
Evening: Beim Gloser or Beim Bannes (Windischeschenbach) - Authentic Zoigl stube
🌟 ZOIGL is UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Each brewer has their scheduled days. Check zoigl.de for the calendar!
DAY 7

🇨🇿 Cross into Bohemia → Chodovar

📍 German border → Chodová Planá → overnight Pilsen
Morning: Cross border at Waidhaus/Rozvadov
Lunch: Pivovar Chodovar, Chodová Planá - Medieval beer cellars (500 years old!), BEER SPA (bathe in beer!), excellent unpasteurized lager. The cave restaurant is magical.
Afternoon drive: Through western Bohemian countryside to Pilsen
Evening: Arrive Pilsen. Na Parkánu pub (attached to Urquell) - Fresh tank Pilsner, unfiltered
DAY 8

🏭 Pilsen - Birthplace of Pilsner

📍 Plzeň city center
Morning: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour - Walk the historic cellars where Pilsner was born in 1842. Taste unfiltered/unpasteurized straight from oak lagering barrels
Lunch: U Salzmannů (Pražská 8) - THE best tank beer pub in Pilsen. Perfectly served Urquell from copper tanks.
Afternoon: Pivovar Purkmistr - Brewery hotel with its own beer spa, great dark lager and wheat beer
Evening: Pivovar Raven - Craft brewery with bold American-inspired ales, Czech craft scene pioneer
💡 "Tankové pivo" (tank beer) = unpasteurized Pilsner delivered fresh in tanks to pubs. Life-changing vs bottled!
DAY 9

🌿 Žatec Hop Capital & Hidden Gems

📍 Pilsen → Žatec → Kout na Šumavě
Morning: Drive to Žatec (Saaz) - THE hop capital of the world. Visit the Hop Museum and Temple of Hops
Lunch: Pivovar Falkon, Žatec - Brewing with the freshest Saaz hops possible, meters from the hop fields
Afternoon: Pivovar Kout na Šumavě - LEGENDARY cult brewery. Their 12° pale lager is considered one of the best Czech beers ever made. Revived in 2006 from a defunct 19th-century brewery. Worth the detour!
Evening: Local hospoda (pub) in Kout - Drink Koutský straight from the source
🏆 Kout na Šumavě 12° is a holy grail for Czech beer nerds. Perfectly balanced, impossibly drinkable.
DAY 10

🌲 Šumava Forest & South Bohemia

📍 Kout na Šumavě → Šumava National Park → Český Krumlov area
Morning: Pivovar Zhůřák - Deep in the Šumava forest. Tiny brewery in a remote village. Raw unfiltered lagers, wood-fired, almost impossible to find. ULTIMATE hidden gem.
Lunch: Pivovar Svatý Florian - Small south Bohemian brewery with excellent unpasteurized beers and hearty Czech food
Afternoon: Pivovar Permon, Sokolov - Mining-country craft brewery, bold flavors, excellent IPA and dark specials
Evening: Local hospoda with Kout or Svijany on tap
🌲 The Šumava (Bohemian Forest) is one of Europe's last wild areas. Stunning driving through misty valleys.
DAY 11

🏰 Back to Bavaria via Regensburg

📍 Czech border → Regensburg → Abensberg
Morning: Cross back into Germany at Furth im Wald
Lunch: Kneitinger, Regensburg (Arnulfsplatz 3) - Time-capsule beer hall since 1530. The Kneitinger Bock is legendary. Unchanged for generations.
Afternoon: Spitalbrauerei, Regensburg - Brewery literally ON the medieval Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke). Historic sausage kitchen next door.
Evening: Kuchlbauer, Abensberg - The HUNDERTWASSER TOWER! Art meets beer. Colorful Friedensreich Hundertwasser-designed tower inside a brewery. Excellent Weißbier.
🎨 The Kuchlbauer tower is one of the most unique brewery experiences in the world.
DAY 12

🦁 Munich Beer Halls & Craft

📍 Munich city center
Morning: Augustiner-Keller (Arnulfstr. 52) - Munich's BEST beer. Holzfass (wooden barrel) fresh Augustiner Edelstoff in the beer garden. The locals' choice.
Lunch: Schneider Bräuhaus (Tal 7) - Original home of wheat beer. TAP7 Mein Original is perfect. Try TAP6 Aventinus (world's greatest Weizenbock)
Afternoon: Giesinger Bräu (Martin-Luther-Str. 2) - Garage-to-glory Munich craft darling. Erhellung unfiltered Helles is cult.
Evening: ORCA Brau taproom - Tiny nano-brewery, juicy NEIPAs that rival New England's best. Then Crew Republic tap bar for West Coast IPAs
Nightcap: Hofbräuhaus (for the experience) OR Tilmans Biere for refined classics
DAY 13

⛪ Andechs Monastery & Wildbrau Grafing

📍 Munich → Andechs → Grafing bei München
Morning: S-Bahn to Herrsching, then bus/walk up the Holy Mountain
Late Morning: Kloster Andechs - Benedictine monastery since 1455. The Doppelbock Dunkel (7.1%) with panoramic views over Ammersee is transcendent. Self-service beer garden with roast pork.
Afternoon: Return via S-Bahn, transfer to S4 to Grafing
Evening: Wildbrau, Grafing (Marktplatz 2) - Charming market-square brewery in a small Bavarian town. Traditional Hell, Dunkel, and seasonal specials. Authentic small-town brewing at its finest.
⛪ Andechs tip: Go early (10am) to beat crowds. The monks' cheese from the monastery shop is incredible.
DAY 14

✈️ Munich → Frankfurt → Home

📍 Munich → Frankfurt Airport (3h train or 1h flight)
Morning: Final Weißwurst breakfast at Schneider Bräuhaus with a TAP7 (tradition: eat before noon!)
Optional: Paulaner Nockherberg (if Starkbierfest season) or Weltenburg Abbey via Danube boat (if time allows - world's oldest monastery brewery, founded 1050)
Travel: ICE train to Frankfurt Airport or quick flight
Airport: Even Frankfurt Airport has decent beer at Paulaner Wirtshaus terminal area
🍻 Prost! You've completed the ultimate beer pilgrimage. ~45+ breweries, 2 countries, endless memories.

🏆 Brewery & Pub Rankings

Ranked by uniqueness, beer quality, atmosphere, and "you MUST go here" factor. Mix of world-famous and hidden gems.

1

Schlenkerla

Rauchbier Institution • Est. 1405
CLASSICBUCKET LIST
The world's most famous smoked beer tavern. Beechwood-smoked malt Märzen served from oak barrels in a medieval vaulted cellar. The aroma hits you at the door.
★★★★★

📍 Dominikanerstr. 6, Bamberg

2

Mahr's Bräu

Kellerbier Legend • Est. 1670
CLASSICLOCAL FAVORITE
The "aU" (Ungespundetes) is considered one of the world's best lagers by Ratebeer. Naturally carbonated, unfiltered amber perfection. The brewers' brewery.
★★★★★

📍 Wunderburg 10, Bamberg

3

Pivovar Kout na Šumavě

Cult Lager Legend • Revived 2006
HIDDEN GEMCULT
The 12° pale lager is a holy grail for Czech beer nerds. Revived from a defunct 19th-century brewery, it's impossibly balanced and drinkable. Pilgrimage-worthy.
★★★★★

📍 Kout na Šumavě 15, Czech Republic

4

Pilsner Urquell

Birthplace of Pilsner • Est. 1842
CLASSICBUCKET LIST
Where Pilsner was literally invented. The cellars tour with unfiltered/unpasteurized tasting from oak barrels is transformative. The original golden lager.
★★★★★

📍 U Prazdroje 64/7, Plzeň

5

Augustiner-Keller

Munich's Finest • Est. 1328
CLASSICLOCAL FAVORITE
Munich's oldest brewery and the locals' unanimous choice. Holzfass (wooden barrel) fresh Edelstoff in the chestnut tree beer garden. Never advertises - doesn't need to.
★★★★★

📍 Arnulfstr. 52, Munich

6

Kloster Andechs

Benedictine Monastery • Est. 1455
MONASTERYCLASSIC
Holy Mountain overlooking Ammersee. Monks brew transcendent Doppelbock Dunkel (7.1%). Beer garden with roast pork, panoramic Bavarian Alps views. Spiritual experience.
★★★★★

📍 Bergstraße 2, Andechs

7

Spezial

The Local's Rauchbier • Est. 1536
CLASSICINSIDER
Bambergers prefer Spezial over Schlenkerla - subtler smoke, more balanced. They smoke their own malt in-house. The Ungespundetes Rauchbier is sublime.
★★★★☆

📍 Obere Königstr. 10, Bamberg

8

Pivovar Chodovar

Medieval Beer Caves • Est. 1573
HIDDEN GEMHISTORIC
500-year-old rock cellars, a BEER SPA where you bathe in beer, and exceptional unpasteurized lager. The cave restaurant atmosphere is unlike anything else.
★★★★☆

📍 Pivovarská 107, Chodová Planá

9

Kuchlbauer + Hundertwasser Tower

Art Meets Beer • Tower opened 2010
UNIQUESURPRISE
A Friedensreich Hundertwasser-designed colorful tower INSIDE a brewery in Abensberg. Surreal architectural experience + excellent Weißbier. Nothing else like it.
★★★★☆

📍 Römerstraße 5, Abensberg

10

Brauerei Rittmayer, Hallerndorf

Kellerbier Paradise • Est. 1422
HIDDEN GEMHISTORIC
Multiple beer cellars carved into hillside, open in summer. Outstanding Kellerbier under chestnut trees. Site of the legendary Annafest (23 cellars, late July).
★★★★☆

📍 Hallerndorf, Upper Franconia

11

Zoigl Brewhouses

UNESCO Communal Tradition • Medieval
HIDDEN GEMUNIQUE
Ancient communal brewing in 5 Oberpfalz towns. Citizens brew in a shared Zoiglhaus, serve at home. Look for the six-pointed star = open today. UNESCO heritage.
★★★★☆

📍 Windischeschenbach, Neuhaus, Eslarn, Falkenberg, Mitterteich

12

Schneider Bräuhaus

Wheat Beer Masters • Est. 1872
CLASSIC
Germany's wheat beer royalty. TAP7 Original is perfection, TAP6 Aventinus is the world's greatest Weizenbock. Beautiful historic hall on Tal street.
★★★★☆

📍 Tal 7, Munich

13

Aufseß 4-Brewery Loop

Guinness World Record • Village
HIDDEN GEMUNIQUE
Guinness World Record: most breweries per capita - 4 for 1,500 people! Walkable loop: Reichold, Rothenbach, Stadter, Kathi-Bräu. Pure Franconian magic.
★★★★☆

📍 Aufseß, Upper Franconia

14

Greifenklau

Best Beer Garden View • Est. 1719
CLASSIC
Perched on a hill overlooking Bamberg. The beer garden view at sunset with a fresh Lagerbier is pure Franconian bliss. Locals gather here on warm evenings.
★★★★☆

📍 Laurenziplatz 20, Bamberg

15

Kneitinger, Regensburg

Time-Capsule Beer Hall • Est. 1530
CLASSICINSIDER
Unchanged for generations. Dark wood, regulars' tables (Stammtisch), the Bock is legendary. One of Germany's most authentic old beer halls. Zero tourist pretense.
★★★★☆

📍 Arnulfsplatz 3, Regensburg

16

U Salzmannů, Pilsen

Tank Beer Temple • Traditional Pub
CLASSICLOCAL FAVORITE
THE best place to drink Pilsner Urquell. Tankové pivo from copper tanks - unpasteurized, served at perfect temperature. Better than the brewery itself.
★★★★☆

📍 Pražská 8, Plzeň

17

Fässla

The Dwarf Brewery • Est. 1649
CLASSIC
Iconic dwarf (Zwerg) logo everywhere. The Zwergla dark lager is smooth and sessionable. Also has rooms above the brewery - sleep where they brew!
★★★★☆

📍 Obere Königstr. 19-21, Bamberg

18

Klosterbräu

Oldest in Bamberg • Est. 1533
CLASSICHISTORIC
Bamberg's oldest brewery. The Schwärzla black lager is silky smooth. Beautiful historic building on the Mühlbrücke. Less touristy than Schlenkerla.
★★★★☆

📍 Obere Mühlbrücke 3, Bamberg

19

Giesinger Bräu

Craft Revolution • Est. 2010
CRAFTLOCAL FAVORITE
Started in a garage, now Munich's craft darling. Erhellung unfiltered Helles is a cult beer. Beautiful new brewery/taproom. The Munich craft success story.
★★★★☆

📍 Martin-Luther-Str. 2, Munich

20

Wildbrau, Grafing

Small-Town Gem • Traditional
HIDDEN GEMLOCAL
Charming market-square brewery in Grafing bei München. Traditional Bavarian range brewed with care: Hell, Dunkel, seasonal Festbier. Authentic small-town brewing.
★★★★☆

📍 Marktplatz 2, Grafing bei München

21

Brauerei Wagner, Merkendorf

Village Treasure • Family Brewery
HIDDEN GEM
Tiny village brewery with an incredible Ungespundetes. Most tourists will never find this. Authentic Franconian gasthaus atmosphere. The real deal.
★★★★☆

📍 Merkendorf bei Bamberg

22

St. Georgen Bräu, Buttenheim

Levi Strauss Birthplace • Est. 1624
HISTORICHIDDEN GEM
Buttenheim is where Levi Strauss was born! The brewery's Kellerbier is excellent. Charming village with a Levi Strauss museum next door.
★★★☆☆

📍 Marktstraße 12, Buttenheim

23

Pivovar Zhůřák

Forest Micro • Ultra-Hidden
HIDDEN GEMMICRO
Deep in Šumava forest. Tiny wood-fired brewery in a remote village. Raw unfiltered lagers. Almost impossible to find - that's the point. Ultimate hidden gem.
★★★★☆

📍 Šumava region, South Bohemia

24

Pivovar Falkon, Žatec

Hop Capital Brewer • Craft
HIDDEN GEMCRAFT
Brewing in the hop capital of the world (Žatec/Saaz). Freshest Saaz hops possible, meters from the fields. Also visit the Temple of Hops museum.
★★★★☆

📍 Žatec, Czech Republic

25

Pivovar Purkmistr

Brewery Hotel & Spa • Modern
CRAFTEXPERIENCE
Hotel with its own brewery AND beer spa. Excellent dark lager and wheat beer. Stay overnight and drink fresh beer from your room's minibar. Full experience.
★★★☆☆

📍 Selská náves 21, Plzeň-Černice

26

Spitalbrauerei, Regensburg

On The Stone Bridge • Est. 1226
HISTORICUNIQUE
Brewery literally ON the medieval Stone Bridge. Oldest operating brewery in Regensburg. The historic Wurstkuchl (sausage kitchen) is right next door.
★★★☆☆

📍 Steinerne Brücke, Regensburg

27

Brauerei Knoblach, Schammelsdorf

Farm Brewery • Authentic
HIDDEN GEM
Authentic farm brewery where the farmer brews. Traditional Franconian Vollbier in a village of a few hundred people. Doesn't get more real than this.
★★★☆☆

📍 Schammelsdorf bei Bamberg

28

Brauerei Griess, Geisfeld

Off-the-Radar • Village
HIDDEN GEM
Completely off the tourist radar. Genuine Franconian village brewery with limited hours. If you find it open, you've earned your Landbier.
★★★☆☆

📍 Geisfeld bei Bamberg

29

Drei Kronen, Memmelsdorf

Historic Crown • Est. 1457
HISTORIC
One of the oldest breweries in Franconia. The Stöffla Kellerbier is excellent. Beautiful half-timbered building with a cozy Gaststube.
★★★☆☆

📍 Hauptstraße 19, Memmelsdorf

30

ORCA Brau

Nano NEIPA Wizard • Est. 2016
CRAFTINSIDER
Tiny nano-brewery taproom in Munich. Juicy NEIPAs that rival New England's best. Rotating taps, creative flavors. Munich's craft underground.
★★★★☆

📍 Stiglmaierplatz area, Munich

31

Crew Republic

Bavaria's Craft King • Est. 2011
CRAFT
Bavaria's most awarded craft brewery. West Coast IPAs brewed in the heart of Reinheitsgebot country. Drunken Sailor IPA is their flagship. Bold rebel energy.
★★★☆☆

📍 Tap bar in Munich center

32

Pivovar Raven, Pilsen

Czech Craft Pioneer • Modern
CRAFT
American-inspired ales in the birthplace of lager. Bold IPAs, stouts, and sours. Czech craft scene pioneer. Excellent taproom atmosphere.
★★★☆☆

📍 Plzeň, Czech Republic

33

Pivovar Permon, Sokolov

Mining Country Craft • Micro
HIDDEN GEMCRAFT
Bold craft beer from Czech mining country. Excellent IPA and dark specials. Off the beaten path in Sokolov - genuine local craft.
★★★☆☆

📍 Sokolov, Czech Republic

34

Brauerei Trunk, Vierzehnheiligen

Basilica Brewery • Spiritual
HIDDEN GEMSPIRITUAL
Next to the stunning Basilika Vierzehnheiligen. Beer + Baroque architecture = spiritual experience. Excellent Nothelfer Trunk dark lager.
★★★☆☆

📍 Vierzehnheiligen, Upper Franconia

35

Brauerei Göller, Zeil am Main

Rauchbier & Kellerbier • Family
HIDDEN GEM
Excellent Rauchbier (lighter smoke than Bamberg) and outstanding Kellerbier. Beautiful half-timbered town on the Main river. Family-run for generations.
★★★☆☆

📍 Scheßlitzer Str. 6, Zeil am Main

36

Keesmann

Cult Pilsner • Est. 1867
CLASSICINSIDER
Herren Pils is a cult-classic German Pilsner - dry, bitter, perfect. Known among beer nerds but missed by most tourists in Bamberg. The connoisseur's choice.
★★★★☆

📍 Wunderburg 5, Bamberg

37

Pivovar Svatý Florian

South Bohemia Micro • Traditional
HIDDEN GEM
Small south Bohemian brewery with excellent unpasteurized beers and hearty Czech food. The kind of place where time stopped. Very few tourists.
★★★☆☆

📍 South Bohemia, Czech Republic

38

Hofbräuhaus

World Famous • Est. 1589
CLASSIC
Yes, it's touristy. But it's also historic, enormous, and the oompah band is fun. Go once for the experience. State-owned since founding. The beer is solid HB Original.
★★★☆☆

📍 Platzl 9, Munich

39

Tilmans Biere

Refined Classics • Modern
CRAFT
Elevated Bavarian classics - refined Helles and Pils that show what modern German brewing can achieve. Clean, precise, beautiful. The thinking man's lager.
★★★☆☆

📍 Munich

40

Brauerei Hummel, Merkendorf

Rustic Landbier • Village
HIDDEN GEM
Another Merkendorf village treasure. Rustic Landbier in an authentic Franconian setting. Walk here from Wagner brewery on the Brauereienweg.
★★★☆☆

📍 Merkendorf bei Bamberg

🍻 Beer Guide - Styles, Colors & Tasting Notes

Comprehensive beer list for each brewery. IBU = International Bitterness Units. SRM/EBC approximated by color swatch.

BreweryBeer NameStyleABVIBUColorAvailabilityNotes
SchlenkerlaMärzen RauchbierRauchbier (Smoked Märzen)5.1%~30Deep amber-brownYear-round (flagship)Beechwood-smoked malt, bacon-like aroma, clean finish. THE Rauchbier.
SchlenkerlaUrbock RauchbierRauchbier (Smoked Bock)6.5%~28Dark brownSeasonal (Oct-Jan)Stronger smoked bock. Rich, warming, intense smoke + caramel.
SchlenkerlaWeizen RauchbierRauchbier (Smoked Wheat)5.2%~15Hazy goldYear-roundWheat beer with subtle smoke. Great gateway Rauchbier for newcomers.
SpezialRauchbier MärzenRauchbier4.9%~25AmberYear-roundSubtler smoke than Schlenkerla. In-house smoked malt. Locals' choice.
SpezialUngespundetes RauchbierKellerbier/Rauchbier4.6%~22Golden amberYear-roundNaturally carbonated, gently smoked. Incredibly sessionable.
Mahr's Bräu"aU" UngespundetesKellerbier / Ungespundetes5.2%~28Amber-gold, hazyYear-round (flagship)World-class. Natural carbonation, bready malt, herbal hops. Ratebeer legend.
Mahr's BräuPilsnerGerman Pilsner4.9%~35Pale goldYear-roundCrisp, dry, excellent hop bitterness. Overlooked due to the aU's fame.
FässlaZwerglaSchwarzbier / Dark Lager4.9%~22Near-blackYear-round (flagship)Smooth, roasty, slightly sweet. Named after the brewery's dwarf mascot.
FässlaLagerbierFranconian Lager5.5%~25GoldYear-roundClassic full-bodied Franconian lager. Malty backbone, clean finish.
GreifenklauLagerbierFranconian Kellerbier4.8%~24GoldenYear-roundBest enjoyed in the hillside beer garden with sunset views over Bamberg.
KlosterbräuSchwärzlaSchwarzbier4.9%~20BlackYear-roundSilky smooth black lager. Roasted malt, coffee notes, gentle bitterness.
KlosterbräuGoldHelles4.8%~20Bright goldYear-roundClean, malty Helles from Bamberg's oldest brewery (1533).
KeesmannHerren PilsGerman Pilsner4.8%~38Pale strawYear-roundCult-classic Pils. Bone-dry, assertive bitterness, floral Hallertau. Beer nerd essential.
RittmayerKellerbierFranconian Kellerbier5.0%~26Amber-goldYear-roundOutstanding unfiltered cellar beer. Hallerndorf's pride, served in hillside cellars.
Wagner MerkendorfUngespundetesKellerbier5.1%~24Hazy amberWeekends mainlyVillage gem. Naturally carbonated, bready, herbal. Hard to find, worth the effort.
Hummel MerkendorfLandbierFranconian Landbier5.0%~22AmberLimited hoursRustic country beer. Malty, slightly sweet, low carbonation. Authentic farm style.
KnoblachVollbierFranconian Vollbier5.0%~20GoldVery limited hoursFarm brewery original. Simple, honest, perfectly brewed. Nothing fancy needed.
St. Georgen BräuKellerbierFranconian Kellerbier5.0%~24AmberYear-roundFrom Levi Strauss's birthplace. Excellent traditional unfiltered lager.
Drei KronenStöfflaKellerbier5.2%~26Gold, hazyYear-roundMemmelsdorf's historic crown brewery. Rich malt, floral hops.
GöllerRauchbierRauchbier5.2%~25Deep amberYear-roundLighter smoke than Bamberg. Approachable for Rauchbier newcomers.
TrunkNothelfer TrunkDunkel5.1%~22Dark brownYear-roundNamed after the 14 Holy Helpers. Rich, malty, served next to the Basilica.
Aufseß (various)Assorted LandbierFranconian Landbier4.8-5.2%~20-26VariesCheck brewery hours4 breweries for 1,500 people! Each unique. Walk the Guinness Record loop.
Pilsner UrquellPlzeňský Prazdroj 12°Czech Pale Lager (the original Pilsner)4.4%~40Brilliant goldYear-roundTHE original Pilsner (1842). Saaz hops, triple-decocted. Get it UNFILTERED on tour.
Kout na ŠumavěKoutská 12° Světlý LežákCzech Pale Lager5.0%~35Pale gold, hazyYear-round at breweryHOLY GRAIL. Perfectly balanced, triple-decocted, Saaz hops. Cult status.
Kout na ŠumavěKoutská 18° Tmavý SpeciálCzech Dark Lager7.5%~30Very dark brownLimited/seasonalRich dark special. Caramel, dried fruit, warming alcohol. Special occasions.
ChodovarZlatá Jedenáctka 11°Czech Pale Lager4.6%~28GoldYear-roundUnpasteurized gold. Brewed in 500-year-old cellars. Fresh, crisp, mineral.
ChodovarTmavé Speciální 13°Czech Dark Lager5.4%~25Dark brownYear-roundRich dark lager from medieval caves. Chocolate, toffee, smooth.
Falkon Žatec12° Pale LagerCzech Pale Lager5.0%~35Pale goldYear-roundBrewed with freshest possible Saaz hops from surrounding fields. Aromatic.
Falkon ŽatecIPAAmerican IPA6.3%~60Deep amberRotatingBold hop-forward IPA from the hop capital. Local + American hop blend.
PurkmistrTmavý Ležák 12°Czech Dark Lager4.8%~22BrownYear-roundSmooth dark lager. Chocolate and caramel. Excellent with roast duck.
PurkmistrPšeničné (Wheat)Czech Wheat Beer5.0%~15Pale, hazySeasonal (summer)Czech take on wheat beer. Less banana/clove than Bavarian, more crisp.
Raven PilsenMad Cat IPAAmerican IPA6.5%~65Orange-amberYear-roundCzech craft pioneer. Citrus, tropical, resinous. Bold for Pilsen!
PermonPermon IPA 15°American IPA6.0%~55OrangeYear-roundMining-country craft IPA. Grapefruit, pine, assertive bitterness.
ZhůřákSvětlý LežákCzech Pale Lager4.8%~30Hazy goldAt brewery onlyForest micro-brewery. Raw, unfiltered, wood-fired. If you find it, you've won.
Zoigl (communal)ZoiglbierZoigl (communal lager)4.5-5.0%~20-25Gold to amberCheck zoigl.de calendarUNESCO heritage communal brew. Each Zoigler's version is different. Unfiltered, natural.
AugustinerEdelstoffMunich Helles Export5.6%~23GoldenYear-round (Holzfass)Munich's best. From wooden barrels at the Keller. Never advertises. Perfection.
AugustinerHelles LagerbierMunich Helles5.2%~18Pale goldYear-roundThe everyday Munich Helles. Soft, malty, clean. What locals drink daily.
Schneider WeisseTAP7 Mein OriginalHefeweizen5.4%~14Amber-orange, hazyYear-round (flagship)The original wheat beer recipe. Banana, clove, full-bodied. Perfect with Weißwurst.
Schneider WeisseTAP6 AventinusWeizenbock / Wheat Doppelbock8.2%~16Deep mahoganyYear-roundWorld's greatest Weizenbock. Dried fruit, clove, chocolate, warming. Masterpiece.
Giesinger BräuErhellungUnfiltered Helles4.8%~20Hazy pale goldYear-round (cult)Munich's craft Helles. Unfiltered, fresh, slightly more hop-forward than traditional.
ORCA BrauRotating NEIPANew England IPA6.0-7.0%~40-50Hazy orangeRotating tapsJuicy, tropical, creamy. Rivals best NEIPAs globally. Small batches, always new.
Crew RepublicDrunken Sailor IPAWest Coast IPA6.4%~60Golden amberYear-roundBavaria's craft flagship IPA. Pine, grapefruit, dry bitter finish. Rebel brewing.
HofbräuhausHB OriginalMunich Helles5.1%~20GoldYear-roundState brewery since 1589. Solid, malty Helles. Best in the Maßkrug with oompah.
AndechsDoppelbock DunkelDoppelbock7.1%~25Very dark brownYear-round (flagship)Monks' masterpiece. Rich malt, dried fruit, warming. Drink on Holy Mountain with views.
AndechsSpezial HellHelles5.9%~22Bright goldYear-roundStronger Helles from the monks. Malty, clean, great with the monastery roast pork.
Wildbrau GrafingHellMunich Helles5.0%~20Pale goldYear-roundSmall-town Bavarian Helles. Clean, malty, exactly what it should be. Market square charm.
Wildbrau GrafingDunkelMunich Dunkel5.2%~22Dark brownYear-roundTraditional dark lager. Bread crust, toffee, gentle roast. Bavarian comfort.
Wildbrau GrafingFestbierMärzen / Festbier5.8%~24Rich goldSeasonal (autumn)Autumn festival beer. Fuller body, slight sweetness, celebration in a glass.
KneitingerBockBock6.8%~26Dark amberSeasonal (winter)Legendary Regensburg Bock. Rich, warming, malty. Time-capsule beer hall essential.
KuchlbauerTurmweisseHefeweizen5.2%~13Orange, hazyYear-roundNamed after the Hundertwasser tower. Classic Bavarian wheat. Banana, clove, yeast.
SpitalbrauereiSpital PilsGerman Pilsner4.8%~32Pale strawYear-roundCrisp Pils from the Stone Bridge brewery. Pair with Wurstkuchl sausages next door.