In summer in beer gardens, in fall at the Oktoberfest, in the evening in the pub – what would Bavaria be without its beer? Munich is known the world over for its diverse beer culture, making it a flagship for the whole of Germany. It is impossible to imagine the city without its Bavarian breweries, which attract tens of thousands of visitors every year. The Hofbräuhaus in Munich is particularly popular.
Beer has been brewed here for centuries: today the brewery produces 25 million liters per year. That’s the equivalent of ten full Olympic swimming pools or over 160,000 bathtubs. The Hofbräuhaus is the most famous brewery in the city and has a unique reputation worldwide.
The royal Hofbräuhaus – how it all began
The Hofbräuhaus looks back on a long and eventful history. In 1589, none other than Duke Wilhelm V applied for the establishment of his own brewery. Until then, he had to be supplied with beer, but the Duke found this too inconvenient. Legend has it that he did not particularly like the beer either. From the spring of 1591, therefore, the ducal court brewed its own brown beer – and continues to do so to this day.
From October 1602, wheat beer was also brewed on the premises of the old Hofbräuhaus at the Alter Hof. This strategy was a complete success, so that a separate brewery became necessary: This gave rise to the well-known brewery that would later be called “Am Platzl”. Munich’s bock beer can also be traced back to the Hofbräuhaus. Bock beer was only brewed here for almost two centuries. The popularity of the brewery grew and grew.
Over several centuries, the concept expanded and the facilities grew larger and larger. The Hofbräuhaus in Munich experienced a darker period during the National Socialist era. The royal Hofbräuhaus was renamed the “State Hofbräuhaus ” and the NSDAP party celebrated successes in the Munich beer hall. As a result of the war, not much remained of the breweries; 60 percent of the Hofbräuhaus was destroyed. However, business continued in the ruins: the Hofbräuhaus stood firm and the beer continued to flow.
The Hofbräuhaus in Munich becomes an international export hit
After the war, the buildings were rebuilt and today the Hofbräuhaus is one of the most modern breweries in Europe. The famous logo with the crown dates back to the days of the royal brewery. Eight different brands are brewed here in accordance with the Bavarian Purity Law and exported all over the world. The concept itself is also popular: with the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl in Munich, the brewery currently has eleven Hofbräuhäuser in Europe, America and Asia.
However, the heart of the brewery remains the famous brewery in Munich. Every year, over 35,000 visitors gather in the huge hall. The freshly brewed beer is sampled at the long tables and the brewery itself can also be toured. The site is open every day from 9 a.m. to midnight. In its own words, the Hofbräuhaus stands for “Bavarian beer enjoyment, Munich hospitality and conviviality” – a must-visit on any trip to the Bavarian capital.