9 of the Top Historic Breweries in Germany
The history of Germany’s beer goes back nearly as far as the country itself. In the book Germania, written by the Roman historian Tacitus in AD 98, the author notes that Germans drink liquid distilled from barley or wheat (meaning beer). Once the beverage was produced for mass consumption centuries later, Bavaria created a Beer Purity Law that limited ingredients to just malt, hops, yeast, and water. This law became a source of pride for Germans and a symbol of cultural identity.
In modern times, beer remains a German staple—wherever you travel here, you won’t be far from a brewery or beer garden. To better understand the country’s beer history, check out these nine historic breweries in Germany.
1. Weihenstephan, Freising
The Weihenstephan Brewery is the world’s oldest continuously running brewery.
By the time the Weihenstephan Monastery Brewery opened its doors for the first time in 1040, Benedictine monks had already been cultivating hops for decades. As the oldest brewery in Germany (and the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world), Weihenstephan soon became a global center for brewing, and even opened a University of Agriculture and Brewing in the 19th century.
These days, you can visit the Weihenstephan Brewery or find its products throughout Germany, including its signature Hefeweissbier (wheat beer).
2. Augustiner-Bräu, Munich
Augustiner-Bräu’s beers are a Munich institution.
Augustiner-Bräu is the oldest independent brewery in Munich, having been around for almost 700 years. In the 14th century, Augustinian monks began brewing beer in their monastery by the Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady (Frauenkirche), then served it directly out of the monastery’s tavern. In 1803, the brewery privatized and has been so ever since.
Augustiner-Bräu now operates out of a modern building on the outskirts of the city, but you can still try its beers in restaurants throughout Munich.
3. Hofbräuhaus, Munich
Hofbräuhaus has a long history as the Bavarian royal family’s beer brand.
When you think of historic beer in Germany, Hofbräuhaus may be one of the first brands to come to mind—it’s one of the most interesting examples of German beer history. The brewery was originally started in 1589 by the Duke of Bavaria to supply beer to the royal family and its court. Later, during the Thirty Years’ War when Munich was under attack from Sweden, the Hofbräuhaus paid off the Swedes with more than 20,000 liters of its beer, saving the city.
The brewery opened to the public in 1828 with a tavern that you can visit to this day on a historic brewery tour in Germany.
4. Paulaner Brewery, Munich
Paulaner is one of the oldest beer brands in Germany.
Another of the best breweries in Germany is Paulaner, which opened in Munich during the 17th century. Monks in the Neudeck ob der Au Monastery began brewing their own beer and either selling or giving away what they couldn’t drink themselves.
By 1751, Paulaner was given an official pub concession on a holiday that commemorated the founding father of their monastery. As thanks, they gave elected officials a sip of the beer, a ritual that still takes place at the start of the Munich Starkbierfest each year. Try Paulaner’s brews for yourself on a beer and brewery tour that also stops at Hofbräuhaus.
5. Löwenbräu, Munich
Löwenbräu is an icon of traditional German breweries.
When walking around the Stiglmaierplatz in Munich, you can’t miss the Löwenbräu Keller, with its signature stone arch and colorful tower. This is yet another of Germany’s oldest breweries, which claims to date back to 1383.
Although the brewery started small, by the mid-1800s Löwenbräu was responsible for about 25 percent of the beer market in Munich, making it the city’s largest brewery. The Löwenbräu Keller itself (which you can visit on a Munich beer tour) opened in 1872.
7. Beck’s, Bremen
Beck's, in Bremen, is one of the most famous German breweries.
If you’ve been in one of the 85 countries where Beck’s beer is sold, chances are you recognize its green bottle. That signature color has been with the brewery from its origins in Bremen in 1873, when it used green (rather than traditional brown) glass bottles to distinguish itself from the competition.
In the generations since, Beck’s beer has won many awards, including the title of Best European Beer at the 1876 World’s Fair. On your next trip to Bremen, go on a Beck’s brewery tour to learn more.
8. Andechs Monastery, Munich
Andechs is a classic German monastery brewery.
The Benedictine monks at Andechs Monastery have been brewing beer to welcome pilgrims to the Holy Mountain of Bavaria since 1455. Although the brewery saw a lot of upheaval during its history—including a period of time when it was run by secular brewers—beer production was put back into the hands of the monks in 1855.
Now, the best way to visit Andechs and learn about its history is on a tour of the property.
9. Riegele Brewery, Augsburg
The Riegele Brewery is Augsburg’s multi-generational brewery.
The Riegele Brewery (formerly known as the Golden Horse Brewery) opened in 1386 in the Bavarian city of Augsburg. It’s now run by the 28th generation of brewers, who still produce traditional beers including the bitter Augsburger Herrenpils and the Commerzienrat Riegele Privat, which is made using an ancient grain-grinding process, plus more modern options such as an alcohol-free brew.
Learn more about the brewery’s history when you spend time in Augsburg, known for its impressive architecture.
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