There is hardly a place in the Bavarian metropolis that is as well-known as the Hofbräuhaus Munich. Not only do tourists from all over the world come and go here, Munich residents also meet here to enjoy a good beer.
The history of the Hofbräuhaus in Munich
The Hofbräuhaus in Munich is not only one of the most famous beer halls in the world, but also a historical landmark in Bavaria with a history stretching back over 400 years.
The history of the Hofbräuhaus begins in 1589, when Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria founded the Hofbräuhaus. The aim was to produce beer of the highest quality without having to import it expensively from abroad. The first beer brewed was a brown beer, which was prepared according to the tastes of the nobility at the time. The nobility were initially the only customers for the beer, and the brewery was only operated as a ducal brewery. However, these consumers of the barley juice must have been very thirsty. The brewery quickly ran out of capacity.
Under the reign of Duke Maximilian I, the son of Wilhelm V, the Hofbräuhaus underwent a decisive change. In 1602, the Hofbräuhaus was granted the exclusive right to produce wheat beer, which was considered a special delicacy at the time. This made the brewery even more successful and increased its fame. However, the beer was still only enjoyed by the nobility.
The Hofbräuhaus becomes public: 1828
It was not until 1828 that King Ludwig I opened the Hofbräuhaus to the public. Now every citizen could enjoy the famous beer.
The current Hofbräuhaus building dates back to 1897. After the original brewery building was demolished and moved to the outskirts of the city, the new building was constructed as a prestigious beer hall. There was enough space here for numerous guests. The new Hofbräuhaus was a huge success and quickly attracted not only the people of Munich, but also international guests.
During the 20th century, the Hofbräuhaus survived some difficult times. Heavily damaged during the Second World War, it was rebuilt true to the original after the war. In the post-war years, the Hofbräuhaus finally developed into a symbol of Bavarian joie de vivre, combined with beer, music and tradition.
Meeting place for famous personalities
The Hofbräuhaus is a place where people from all over the world come together – including the most famous personalities of their time.
Whether musicians, politicians, sportsmen or artists – here are just a few of the famous visitors:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart The famous composer lived in Munich from 1780 to 1781 while he was working on the opera Idomeneo. During this time, he was a frequent guest at the Hofbräuhaus. It is said that Mozart greatly appreciated Bavarian beer and found inspiration for his works here.
Emperor Wilhelm II The last German emperor visited the Hofbräuhaus and is said to have been impressed by the atmosphere and the beer.
Richard Strauss The world-famous composer and conductor was also a guest of the Hofbräuhaus. He was a native of Munich and enjoyed Bavarian culture.
Heinrich Heine The German poet is said to have visited the Hofbräuhaus and even mentioned it in his writings.
Louis Armstrong The legendary jazz musician was a guest at the Hofbräuhaus during a tour in Munich and enjoyed the atmosphere over a pint of beer.
Plácido Domingo The world-famous opera singer was also at the Hofbräuhaus.
My first impression: loud but cozy
As soon as I enter the Hofbräuhaus, I realize that I am in a special place. We first enter a room with high vaulted ceilings, solid wooden tables and benches and rustic decorations. This room is called Schwemme and embodies exactly the image that foreign guests in particular have of a Bavarian pub. If you take a closer look, you will see artistic frescoes on the ceilings of the Schwemme depicting scenes from Bavarian beer culture and history.
The Schwemme is quite loud. The clinking of beer mugs, the cheerful conversations of the guests and the sounds of live music fill the room with energy. The band, which regularly plays traditional Bavarian brass music and creates an authentic, exuberant atmosphere, is certainly a highlight alongside the beer.
But there are also “quieter” places. On the second floor of the Hofbräuhaus is the Festsaal – a magnificent room that can accommodate up to 700 guests. Events such as concerts, dance evenings and cultural festivals take place here regularly.
When the weather permits, many guests are drawn to the Hofbräuhaus’ cozy beer garden. Guests can enjoy their beer and traditional Bavarian dishes under the shady chestnut trees. I was a little surprised at how “small” the beer garden is. Well, the “small” refers to the number of seats in the Hofbräuhaus. Between the buildings in the city center, however, there is hardly any more space to be expected and so in good weather you have to search a bit to find a spot there.
Hearty food and beer
We looked for a spot at one of the long tables. You don’t usually sit here alone for long. Spontaneous conversations quickly arise between strangers sitting at the same table and enjoying their time.
The waitresses wear traditional Bavarian costumes, such as dirndls and lederhosen. This looks quite chic and is exactly what you would expect here. They are quick too! No sooner had I ordered than the beer was on the table, barely had I taken my first sip and the food arrived.
We ordered quite traditional meals: Sausage with sauerkraut and roast pork. The portions were large by our standards, but not too large. It was just right! It was also tasty, which is not always the case with restaurants of this size and the flow of food portions.
The beer at the Munich Hofbräuhaus
Beer has been brewed here to the highest quality standards for over 400 years. The Hofbräuhaus offers a selection of traditional beers, all of which are brewed at the Staatliche Hofbräuerei München.
Hofbräu Original (Helles)
Hofbräu Original is the classic Munich pale ale, known for its mild, malty taste and golden yellow color. It goes perfectly with veal sausage, pretzels and Obazda.
Hofbräu Dunkel
The Dunkel is the original Hofbräuhaus beer and reflects the original brewing tradition with its roasted aromas and a slight hint of caramel. The lager has a deep brown color and a full-bodied taste that goes particularly well with hearty dishes such as pork knuckle or roast.
Hofbräu Weißbier
This beer is a classic among Bavarian wheat beers. It impresses with its fruity aromas, reminiscent of banana and clove, and its tangy freshness. This wheat beer is a must for anyone who loves the authentic taste of Bavarian wheat.
Other beers are offered seasonally, such as
Hofbräu Maibock
Maibock is a seasonal specialty that is served every year in spring. With its strong malt flavor and higher alcohol strength, it is a favorite during the strong beer season.
Hofbräu Oktoberfest beer
Oktoberfest beer is a highlight of Munich’s beer culture and is brewed especially for the world’s biggest folk festival. It is slightly stronger than a Helles, with a slightly sweet malt note and a fine hop bitterness.
The beer at the Hofbräuhaus is traditionally served in mugs (1 liter) – a true Bavarian tradition.
Does the beer taste good?
Surprisingly, we liked the beer best at the Hofbräuhaus. We had previously drunk it in another restaurant and were disappointed by the quality there. The beer there was bland, not very drinkable and tasted a bit “dull”. The exact opposite awaited us at the Hofbräuhaus. A lively and drinkable beer with a great color and creamy foam. The beer mug was empty far too quickly!
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