Munich’s fifth season: Get into the real folk festival spirit at these 7 strong beer festivals

Giesinger Bräu is not yet represented at the Wiesn, but it is part of the Munich strong beer festival scene. And the Oktoberfest atmosphere is always in full swing in the large festival tent, which can seat a total of 1,200 people. But it’s not just fans of folk festival music and Giesinger Starkbier Innovator who get their money’s worth here, but also families with children. Every Sunday, a colorful children’s program awaits you with magicians, balloon artists, face painting, and more. To make sure you can easily reach the festival, your ticket includes a shuttle bus from Frankfurter Ring.

The Löwenbräukeller is very beautiful to look at from the outside alone, with its round tower and stone lion resting on the terrace. And inside, the vaulted cellar with its chandeliers and dark furniture also makes quite an impression. But don’t be fooled by the dignified furnishings – people here know how to party properly. For a whole month, the Löwenbräukeller invites you to the Starkbierfest, where you can taste the Triumphator . The musical highlight is the Wadlbeisser, who will really get you in the party mood.

The shortest of the strong beer festivals is the one at the Hofbräukeller on Wiener Platz. The tavern, which is said to have the most beautiful beer garden in Munich, is inviting guests to join in the fun for the third time this year. True to the motto “quality over quantity,” you can party hard at the Hofbräukeller for two evenings from 6 p.m. to midnight. Wash it down with Delicator, a strong doppelbock with 8.4% alcohol by volume. Gerry&Gary will accompany you musically throughout the evening.

At the Augustiner Keller, you can celebrate three days a week until the end of March in two halls and drink Maximator. In the lager cellar, Harthauser Musi is there for you from Thursday to Saturday. On weekends, there is also a changing music program in the ballroom, where you can look forward to bands such as Bandit and VoiGams. At just €10 per person and with no minimum number of guests, Augustiner also hosts one of the most affordable strong beer festivals.

If you can’t get enough of Augustiner Maximator, you can also enjoy it at the strong beer festival in the royal Hirschgarten. You can celebrate with musical accompaniment at the tavern on a total of eight dates. On March 1, there will be a few special treats to mark the pub’s third anniversary, and the following week Roland Heftner and the Isarrider will be gracing the festival. If you want to get some fresh air in between, take a stroll through the park and visit the deer in their enclosure.

A real strong beer festival is held at the Ayinger Bräustüberl and the Hofbräukeller on only two dates. On March 13 and 14, there is a lively atmosphere here, kicked off by the traditional Lenten sermon by brewery director Helmut Erdmann. However, you can drink the multi-award-winning Celebrator almost throughout March, so you can also enjoy it outside of the festivities. With a €10 entrance fee, Ayinger is also one of the cheaper strong beer festivals.

Last but not least, of course, the largest and most famous of the strong beer festivals cannot be missed: the Original Paulaner Starkbierfest on the Nockherberg. Traditionally, Paulaner starts the season on a Wednesday with the strong beer tasting before the actual festival begins for the public. Here you can drink the legendary Salvator in clay mugs and enjoy Bavarian delicacies, both meat and vegetarian. After your meal, head to the beer bench and enjoy the music of the Wiesn band Südherz playing for you from the Schottenhamel tent. If you can’t get a table, you can also purchase individual tickets on site.