What would Bavaria be without its beer? This bitter beverage is part of our cultural heritage and is celebrated extensively at various festivals. It therefore comes as little surprise that our state is home to the world’s largest hop-growing region . The Hallertau begins just about 45 kilometers north of Munich, making it the ideal destination for a day trip or short getaway. Even if you don’t drink beer, a visit is well worth it, as the Hallertau offers beautiful scenery and is home to numerous picturesque towns and impressive sights.
The Home of Hops
With an area of 2,400 km², the Hallertau is the largest contiguous hop-growing region in the world. It lies on the border between Upper and Lower Bavaria and stretches between Ingolstadt, Freising, Moosburg, Landshut, and Kelheim. It is therefore not surprising that Freising is home to the world’s oldest brewery; after all, hops have been grown in the Hallertau since the 8th century. The region produces a full 86% of the hops processed in Germany and 34% of those processed worldwide.
But hops can be used to make much more than just beer. The white tips of young hops are considered a delicacy that you can taste in the spring during hop asparagus season. Furthermore, the plant can be processed into fabrics and oils, as well as teas or other non-alcoholic beverages. Hops are also used in cosmetics. Accordingly, this versatile plant is not just exciting for beer drinkers. If you’re interested in learning more about hops and their history, you can visit one of the hop museums in the Hallertau region—there are several, for example in Mainburg, Geisenfeld, and Wolznach.
City, Country, River in the Hallertau
As a destination, the Hallertau truly has something to offer for every taste. If you enjoy hiking in nature, the expansive landscape with its rolling hills is perfect . You can go on long hikes among fields of asparagus and hops. During harvest season in September, there’s a special bustle in the fields and a spicy scent hangs in the air. If you stop by a beer garden, you can try fresh green hop beer.
If you’re a fan of city breaks, the Hallertau has plenty to offer as well. From Abensberg to Landshut and on to Pfaffenhofen, you’ll find several charming small towns here, all of which are worth a visit. The Hall of Liberation also towers majestically over Kelheim, and the Danube Gorge and Weltenburg Abbey are just a stone’s throw away. Another highlight is Scheyern Abbey, owned by the Count of Scheyern. The Hallertau is so rich in sights that you can plan several day trips or even an entire vacation here.
