Oktoberfest beer: Only from Munich breweries

Augustiner-Bräu Munich: the oldest brewery in Munich

The monks of the Augustinian order founded a brewery in 1328, which still exists today and is the oldest still in existence within Munich's city limits.After privatization, Augustiner settled in Neuhauser Straße in 1817, where the Augustiner restaurant, popular with locals and tourists, is still located today. At the end of the 19th century, the headquarters and brewing facilities were relocated to Landsberger Straße, where brewing continues to this day. The Augustiner Hell in the bulbous 0.5-liter bottle with the equally bulbous monk on the label enjoys real cult status.
At the Oktoberfest, the 6.2 percent (2024) Augustiner Wiesnbier is available in the Augustiner Festzelt and in the Fischer Vroni, as well as in the Tradition tent, the Schützenlisl folk singers' tent and the new Boandlkramerei musicians' tent at the Oidn Wiesn. Augustiner is also served in two small festival tents: the Hühner- und Entenbraterei Ammer and the Zur Bratwurst festival tent. The brewery is the only one still using the traditional 200-liter wooden barrels, the so-called Hirschen, for storage.

Hacker-Pschorr: Reunited since 1972

The brewery was first mentioned in a document in 1417 and was based in Sendlinger Straße, where the “Altes Hackerhaus” restaurant is today. In the 18th century, it developed into Munich's leading brewery under the couple Joseph Pschorr and Maria Theresia Hacker. Hacker and Pschorr were later run as separate breweries by their sons and have only been a joint brand again since 1972. Today, the brewery is located in the same premises as the Paulaner brewery. Since 2007, Hacker-Pschorr beer has once again been sold in the traditional bottles with swing top and “Plopp”.
At the Oktoberfest, the beer with 6.0% alcohol (2023) is available in the Hacker Festzelt and in the Bräurosl. Fisch Bäda, Heimer Enten- und Hühnerbraterei and Poschner's also serve Hacker-Pschorr.

Hofbräu Munich: The beer from the world-famous Hofbräuhaus

There is a Hofbräuhaus in Munich ... Hofbräu was founded in 1589 as a ducal brewery under Wilhelm V. Since 1939, the company has been run as a state-owned enterprise. The brewery was originally located in the heart of the city, where today the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl is one of Munich's main tourist attractions. In the 19th century, the brewery moved to Innere Wiener Straße due to a lack of space, where the Hofbräukeller with one of Munich's coziest beer gardens is still located today. Brewing has been taking place in Munich-Riem since the end of the 1980s. At 6.2% (2023), Hofbräu is one of the strongest of the Wiesn beers and is served in the Hofbräu Festzelt.

Paulaner Brauerei Munich: It began with Brother Barnabas

In 1634, the monks of the Paulaner Order served their first own beer, making Paulaner the youngest of the breweries serving beer at the Oktoberfest. At first, Paulaner beer was only served to the public on festive days, otherwise it was reserved for the monks. However, the bock beer based on a recipe by Brother Barnabas quickly became extremely popular among all Munich beer drinkers. For a long time, the brewery was headquartered on the Giesinger Nockherberg, where the annual strong beer festival with the famous politician derblecken (fooling around) takes place. Today, the brewing facilities are located in Munich-Langwied.
Paulaner's Oktoberfest beer has 6% alcohol (2023) and is served in the Paulaner Festzelt, the Armbrustschützenzelt, the Käferzelt, Kuffler's Weinzelt (as wheat beer until 9 pm), the Heinz Wurst- und Hühnerbraterei, the Metzger Stubn, the Münchner Knödelei and the Münchner Stubn tent.

Löwenbräu München: Beer from the Nymphenburger Straße

The brewery probably dates back to the late 14th century, but the name Löwenbräu first appeared in Munich's beer brewing directory in 1746.In the 19th century, the medium-sized brewery developed into Munich's largest brewery under the Brey family and, due to its strong growth, moved to Nymphenburger Straße, where it is still located today. The Löwenbräukeller with its beer garden is famous for its spectacular events such as strong beer festivals or the Night of Traditional Costume.
The Spaten-Franziskaner-Löwenbräu Group has been part of the international brewing group InBev since 2003.
The brand logo is of course a lion, which incidentally looks very similar to the Bavarian heraldic animal. Every festival visitor is also familiar with the giant lion in front of the Löwenbräu festival tent, roaring “Löööö-weeeen-brääääu” and calling out to the thirsty while drinking beer. The Löwenbräu Wiesntrunk with 6.1% alcohol (2023) is also available in the Schützen Festzelt and in the small Haxnbraterei.

Spatenbräu: inventor of the “Münchner Hell”

The Spatenbrauerei was founded in 1397 and was located in Neuhauser Gasse for the first few centuries. In the 19th century, the brewery moved to Marsstraße, where at least the administration is still based today. Spaten has the honor of being the first brewery to launch “Münchner Hell” on the market in 1894 - a real bestseller to this day. Since 2003, the Spaten-Franziskaner-Löwenbräu Group has belonged to Interbrew, now InBev.
Spaten and Franziskaner beer is available at the Oktoberfest in the Festhalle Schottenhamel, where the tapping is celebrated by the Lord Mayor of Munich every year. There is also Spatenbier in the Marstall, the Ochsenbraterei, the Glöckle Wirt, the Goldener Hahn, the Kalbsbraterei, the Wildstuben and the Wirtshaus im Schichtl; you can drink Franziskaner wheat beer in Feisinger's Kas- und Weinstubn. The Wiesnbier has 5.9% alcohol (2023).