Aug 26, 2013

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The Big Munich Breweries

The Big Munich Breweries

There are fourteen big beer tents at the Oktoberfest, and although we certainly would recommend you try them all, that’s quite an unrealistic goal unless you’re in Munich for the whole sixteen days. A far more realistic goal is to try a beer from each of the major breweries in Munich who supply to the Oktoberfest: there’s only six of those!

So which big Munich breweries are there – and where can you find their brews?

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Tingle jingle… Here comes Augustiner!

Augustiner: For many, Augustiner is the typical Munich beer. It is the oldest brewery within Munich city limits which is still producing beer (it can be dated to at least 1328), and as such something of a tradition. You’ll find it at the brewery’s own tent, Augstiner-Festhalle, which is the only tent in which beer is served by the keg, and in the neighbouring Fischer Vroni tent.

Hacker-Pschorr: The Hacker-Pschorr brewery is not as steeped in tradition as Augustiner, but is certainly steeped in legend: many’s the Münchener who’ll warn you off it for its supposed headache-inducing properties. These are probably more to do with the party atmosphere in the Hacker-Festzelt – with the Oktoberfest’s youngest crowd – than any extra ingredients though. Reinheitsgebot oblige… Also found at Bräurosl.

Hofbräu: The classic for those of us not lucky enough to be born in Munich and able to get a table at Augustiner. Found in the eponymous Hofbräu tent and nowhere else. The name translates as “court brewers” – i.e. a beer fit for kings. And queens. Nuff said.

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If Löwenbräu has lions, does Paulaner have panthers?

Löwenbräu: If Hofbräu is fit for kings, Löwenbräu is the stuff of lions. It’s to be found both in its home tent – Löwenbräu-Festhalle – and the Schützen tent. Light, creamy, and particularly suited – so we think – to beer garden consumption.

Spaten-Franziskaner: When the Munich mayor is tapping the first barrel of beer in Schottenhamel, that beer is Spaten. You’ll also find this key Oktoberfest beer at Hippodrom and Spaten’s very own Ochsenbraterei – the oxen roastery. Needless to say, this beer is a great accompaniment to real meaty fare.

Paulaner: One of the most familiar beer brand-names, Paulaner can be found at the Armbrustschützenzelt, Winzerer Fähndl, and Käfer’s Wies’n Schänke. The one you’re most likely to have trouble trying since all of the tents where it is served are unpronounceable…

So good luck trying to drink all of the Oktoberfest beers: Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit to you too!

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