The top German beer destinations

Beer is a major part of German culture and there’s no better place to experience it firsthand than in the country itself. So whether you’re after a draught beer (vom Fass) or a bottle (Flasche) – explore these seven destinations to get the best taste of German beer.

Thanks to its annual Oktoberfest celebrations, the city of Munich has become one of the country’s top towns when it comes to German beer. During the 16-day festival, over seven million litres of locally brewed beer is served to visitors from around the world.

In Germany, many breweries adhere to the Reinheitsgebot (the German Beer Purity Law). This means beers can only contain barley, hops and water – so, be assured you’ll be drinking the real deal at the festival. 

But, Munich’s appeal as a beer town doesn’t end when the festival comes to a close. The city is home to numerous beer halls and gardens including the famous Hofbräuhaus am Platzl and the Chinesischer Turm in the Englischer Garten.

Dating back to the 16th century, the Berliner Weisse is a cloudy, sour beer. In its prime, you could find more than 50 producers within the city limits of Berlin but today there is only a very select few who brew the beer.

What makes the Berliner Weisse different from many other beers is that it’s often flavoured with syrups or mixed with other beers to balance the sourness. While the number of brewers of this classic beer has tapered, the market has been filled with a number of craft breweries, bringing new twists to classic beers.

Altbier – German for ‘old beer’ – is the type of beer brewed only around the city of Düsseldorf. The name comes from the way the beer is brewed, using the much older method of top-fermentation. Beers that are made using this process see the yeast rise to the surface during fermentation, giving the flavour a slight fruitiness. 

The best way to sample Altbier is by hopping between the Düsseldorf’s breweries, many of which are conveniently located around the Altstadt (old town). If you time it well, you may be able to try – Sticke a seasonal variant of their Altbier.

Kölsch is another old-style beer that can only be found in the city of Cologne. Kölsch is a top-fermented beer similar to a Pilsner. Also, Kölsch has been awarded a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status meaning that it possesses qualities or a reputation distinct from where it was created. 

As a result, it is only allowed to be brewed in this region, so make sure to spend some time at one of the Brauhäuser (breweries) in and around Cologne. Here, you can enjoy the unique experience of being served by a Köbes, the name of the waiter who serves the Kölsch. Try Früh am Dom for a classic beer hall and Päffgen for your Kölsch fix, after all, they’ve been serving it since 1883.

Nüremberg’s history as a beer town dates as far back as 1303, when the city passed a beer ordinance which regulated the brewing of beer in the city.

With the passing of this law, the city grew and developed along with the brewing industry. See the centuries-old, rock-cut beer cellars that citizens used originally for beer storage and later protection during WWII bomb raids.

In search of a town steeped in folklore? Well, Alpirsbach is the place for you. The story goes that a clumsy monk dropped a glass of beer from his hand into the river and declared, “All Bier ist in den Bach!”. Translating to “All the beer is in the stream!”, the monk’s words seemingly became gospel, as Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu is now made from the pure spring water of the region.

Bremen, known for the Bremen Town Musicians from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, is also home to some delicious beverages. While you’ll find the majority of the country’s breweries in Bavaria, Bremen acts as a rival, equally worth a tipple. After all, Beck’s Brewery, one of the most famous German beers, is from this little town.

Germany's beer culture has so much to offer. From Munich's giant festival to Nüremberg’s rich history, each destination offers a unique charm – perfect for a drink or two. So, where will your journey to discover the best beer in Germany take you next?