Visiting the Munich beer halls

Black Sheep

I may have the opportunity to visit Munich for a couple of days, next month.

I'm not sure whether it's a good thing or a bad thing that I'll miss Oktoberfest, which starts tomorrow and runs until the 3rd... Hotel prices look better, I guess, and the city should be less crowded.

I've never been before, but have a rough plan to put aside a full day and do quite tourist-y beerhall related drinking and eating.

My plan was to do a white sausage and pretzel breakfast, maybe at the Schneiderbrauhaus, and then take a walk around and do some sight-seeing, and then do a bit of a 'tour' of however many beer halls I can actually manage.

I was going to do at least one of the very tourist-y looking ones like Hofbrauhaus, and then I have recommendations for Augustiner Keller, Der Pschorr and a 'standing only' place called Stenhausschank.

I'd like to have lunch or dinner at one of them, regular Bavarian fare is fine, and if there's some music that would be fine as well.

I have a slight reservation about how much beer I can drink and keep it together... I could probably manage (at most) 10 pints over the course of the day. I gather that the normal serving is 1L and it doesn't appear common to do less, is that correct? Another thing I wondered was whether it's possible to just have one drink in a beer hall, and then move on, or is there more of an expectation that you are there and settled for a longer period?

Any advice appreciated.

munchkin_utd

In beerhalls they also serve pints so you'll be fine. Theres also radler (shandy) or light beer which is 3% if you wanted to pad it out a bit.

Starting at the schneiderweiss is a great idea. Service there can be a little gruff, but thats authentic. Theres no sucking up for tips from tourists at a proper bavarian joint! Also be aware that the white sausage is only served till midday, although if you get in your order before 12 they'll still bring it.

You'll only have music at the Hofbrauhaus most likely.

As for moving on, its normal for people to have a beer and pay and move on. If you arent having food they may put you at high tables or a small bar area (depending on the place) .

One place youve missed is the Augustiner brewery. €3.40 for a pint from the wooden barrel is a good an advertisment as any to go there. The danger going there is that you will not be able to stop at the 1 pint, but sure youre on holidays! Their food is fairly good so maybe a plan for a second breakfast or lunch ? https://www.braeustuben.de

Theres maybe 2 more for your list, the Paulaner brauhaus, which is a microbrewery located just to the south of the city centre a couple of ubahn stops from Marienplatz at Kapuzinerplatz. The main Paulaner is at Nockherberg and its their flagship restaurant / beerhall also with its own microbrewery(the main brewery was located next door but since about 5 years ago is now in the suburbs)

Others worth thinking about, the Löwenbraukeller (im not a fan of their beer but its also home to Franziskaner weissbier and the new delicious Kellerbeer), Hofbraukeller, Giesinger Brewery (the newcomer to the munich brewing scene) and maybe the Taphouse near Ostbahnhof which has 100s of beers in bottle or tap including many german ones, not just international overly hoppy stuff like some craft beer places inflict on you.

For reference, downtown a pint is generally €4.50 with some places charging a little more and on the upper end I think the Pschorr now looking for €6 , but they only serve from the wooden barrel (literally a wooden barrel on the counter with a brass tap battered into it, so no added gas which makes it very drinkable , but from the perspective of the bar a lot more hassle in cooling and logistics than a standard setup so they only do it the odd time, or like the Pschorr pass on the extra cost) .

BeerNut

Sounds like you have things covered! Since you can't have too much Augustiner, I would also put a spake in for Augustiner am Platzl, the most central of their sites. But the keller and the brewery should be the priorities. For a bit of variety right in the centre, there's Ayinger am Platzl across the street from Hofbräuhaus and Andechser am Dom by the Frauenkirche.

irish_goat

There is a market in the centre of town called Viktualienmarkt. It has a heap of stalls selling bread, cheeses, cured meats, olives etc. If the weather is nice I'd recommend getting lunch there. They have a beer garden as well where you can eat your food(the beer on sale rotates between the different breweries).

Regarding the 1 litres, if you order bottles of wheat beer you'll always get 500ml. I started doing this in the beer gardens as it was 30c and I couldn't get through a litre quick enough before it went warm.

Jizique

If the weather is nice, the Augustiner beer garden on Arnulfstr just west of the Hbf is a must, easier to get to than the Chinese Tower

ablelocks

tbh something like this sounds far better than being there during Oktoberfest. sounds like a great day out and also sounds like it could be a great week out!

Black Sheep

Thanks for all the info guys, some great insights there.