Ages ago, there were 64 micro-breweries in Munich. It is no longer clear how many of them also offered food and drink back then, but it was certainly only a minority. We focus on the large and small breweries of today that also offer catering directly in the brewhouse. Eating and drinking at the place where the liquid manna is made – that has a charm of its own.
The Augustiner-Brauerei (brewery) does not advertise its products or restaurants, but it does foster its corporate identity. A fun fact to mention: The number plates of the company cars start with M – AU, the company mobile phones with 1328, the year the brewery was founded. There is even said to be a punk band called "1328".
The Augustiner Bräustuben, with its long wooden benches and cutlery in beer mugs opened in 1994, right next to the brewery premises on Landsberger Strasse. This was where the stables for the brewery horses were located in the 19th century. In a small part of the restaurant, you can still see a remnant of where the brewery team's horses used to spend the night during the Wiesn (Oktoberfest). The Wiesnmaß (1l beer in a mug) is several euros cheaper in the Bräustuben than on the festival grounds.
Since the freshly tapped amber-coloured hop beverage tastes particularly quaffable at the place of production, a hearty meal is a must as a basis. Of course, the Bräustuben also caters for vegetarians, but the focus is on traditional pub grub, such as "Schweinsbraten" and "Schweinshaxn" (roast pork and knuckles), roast beef with onions, "Wiesnhendl" (hot fried chicken) and cold dishes like the Schmankerlbrettl cold platter or sausage salad.
Augustiner Bräustuben, Landsberger Strasse 19
The building at Kapunzinerplatz 5 was once the taproom of the Thomasbräu brewery and has been a Munich pub ever since. In 1989, the first Paulaner Bräuhaus moved into Kapuzinerplatz 5. The neo-Renaissance style building was constructed in 1892, according to the plans of architects Grässel and Pruska. The brew kettles integrated into the restaurant waft over cosiness and an irresistible aroma.
On the menu, there is a considerable vegetarian selection with dishes such as “Ausflug ins Grüne” (Green Getaway) or “Fleischlos glücklich” (Meatless Happiness) – without neglecting meat and fish dishes. Just reading the desserts makes your mouth water.
Not to mention the beers! The Resi beer (alcohol content 6.2%) was brewed for the Bräuhaus-Wiesn in 2022. Other beers for sale are Bräuhaus-Zwickl, Bräuhaus Weiße, Vitali, Vroni, der dunkle Balthasar Doppelbock, Fesche Joseffa and Bockiger Beppo, Vladimir, Rote Wilma and Susan (light beers), the wheat beers Simone and Pauline, and for stronger tastes the Imperial Stout Archibald (alcohol content 6.7%), the Thomass Bock (7.4%) and the Whiskey Bock (9.3%). And that's not all ...
Paulaner Bräuhaus, Kapuzinerplatz 5
The two-storey Bräustube on Martin-Luther-Strasse in Obergiesing has become a meeting place for beer lovers and its pub welcomes food and scene bloggers. Lamps in old beer bottles dangle above the tables. It all started very small, in a backyard garage in Giesing. The challenge was to survive alongside the mighty six large breweries. Hard work, perseverance, ingenuity and crowdfunding were finally crowned with success. Today, the “Giesinger Biermanufaktur und Spezialitätenbraugesellschaft mbH” employs around three dozen people. A second production facility was established in Milbertshofen.
Its two-page menu is packed with variety. The seven "main beers" regularly served also include a Märzen and a Pilsener. As stronger seasonal calibres, there is the Winterbock, the Innovator and the Sternhagel, whose "dangerousness" can already be recognised by the fact that the lettering on the labels is upside down. Craft beers round off the range.
The "Ginsinger” is, as its name suggests, a Munich gin "with the refreshing note of lemon drop and Hersbruck hops".
Giesinger Bräustüberl, Martin-Luther-Strasse 2
“No reservations, just show up“ – that's the motto on the welcome page of the True Brew team in Munich's Schlachthofviertel – just drop in without an appointment.
The atmosphere in the pub is just as spontaneous. Young staff with original tattoos know their many loyal regulars very well – and vice versa. The unique selling point is the artistic, colourful cans in which more than two dozen drinks are offered. Beers, freshly tapped on site include the Joyride, Summit, Beyond The Pines and IPA.
True Brew Crew, Dreimühlenstrasse 25
The Schiller-Bräu with its adjoining pub in the Bahnhofsviertel is part of the gastronomic concept "mk | hotel münchen city & Schiller-Bräu" and also includes a hotel. Before you retire to rest, the guest lounges of the Schiller-Bräu visually seduce you to join a casual get-together. The neo-rustic ambience with quaint wood panelling and solid wooden furniture is also ideally suited for social gatherings at the regulars’ table. The menu features Bavarian specialities from the kitchen and brewery cellar.
"Helles", "Dunkles", "Weizenbier" and the red-brown "Schep's" are offered all year round, and just the names of the "beers of the month" will whet your appetite. For example, the dark barley Doppelbock (in January) is called "Krampus", the Märzen (in March) "Mingara Stritzi" and the Maibockbier (in May) "Pirschgänger". In the other months, guests are treated to “Dreikornbier”, “Rotbier”, “Emmerbier” and “Brezenbier”.
Schiller-Bräu, Schillerstrasse 23
The cosy Bräustüberl of Forschungsbrauerei (research brewery) in Munich-Perlach offers the following facilities: Beer hall, tasting room, TV room – and of course the Bräustüberl itself, a traditional Bavarian restaurant. All areas exude a homely cosiness.
Below are a few representative examples of the varied menu, each with its own twist: “Original Forschungsbräu” beer, “ogmachta Kas”, a Bavarian cheese speciality, Forschungsbräu snacks, schnitzel and salad.
The beers: Gottfried Jakob's Blonder Bock, Exportbier Hell, Vollbier Hell, Exportbier Dunkel, Wahre Weiße (yeast wheat beer in organic quality), Wilde Weiße (wheat beer).
Forschungsbrauerei Braustüberl, Unterhachinger Strasse 78
In the wildly romantic Isar river valley, stations were built at the end of the 19th century between Thalkirchen and Kochel on a regional railway line that are a feast for the eyes even from today's perspective. One of them, the Großhesseloher Isartalbahnhof, is home to the Isartaler Brauhaus. The brewery's own palatable "Stationsweizen" (Hallertau hop oil, wheat malt from Schierling) has an alcohol content of 5.4%. The bottle size (0.33 l) surely leaves room for improvement, especially in the hot summer of 2022. Of course, the magnificent nature (Isar river high banks) entices you to explore the surroundings.
Isartaler Brauhaus, Kreuzeckstrasse 23b, 82049 Pullach
How to get there: Take the S7 towards Wolfratshausen, exit: Großhesselohe, travelling time: about 20 minutes from Marienplatz (main square)
The "Flugwerk" in Feldkirchen is bursting with originality. A “Weißwurst” (white sausage) breakfast is ordered under the keyword “car wash”. A thick, smoked parboiled sausage, the “Käsekrainer” forms the basis of the German fast-food dish “Currywurst”. “Kässpatzen” (a traditional Bavarian pasta dish) breathe wheat beer. The Flugwerk Burger tantalises with ox shreds, and the delicious meal can be rounded off with “Bieramisu”. In addition to the "Heilige Dreifaltigkeit" (light, dark, wheat beer), a “Weißbierbock” (6.6 % wheat beer) is brewed for the Christmas season.
Flugwerk, Sonnenstrasse 2, 85622 Feldkirchen
How to get there: Take the S2 in the direction of Erding/Markt Schwaben, exit: Feldkirchen, travelling time: 30 minutes from Marienplatz
The Airbräu restaurant in the middle of Munich's Franz Josef Strauß Airport combines brewing tradition with international flair. In the restaurant, guests sit among the shiny copper brew kettles. The cosy “Zirbelstube” itself is over 120 years old. There is also a roofed beer garden and “Airbräu Tenne”, an event location that can accommodate up to 250 people. Occasionally, this is the stage for bands and comedians.
On the bulging menu, the attractive Brotzeit (light lunch), which has disappeared from many restaurants, catches the eye. Highlights from the diverse beer range include the Märzen, which has become rarer, the dark Doppelbock Aviator (enjoyed between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) and the dark wheat beer Mayday, which is always tapped on 1 May.
Airbräu, München Airport Center, Terminalstrasse Mitte 18, 85356 München
How to get there: Take the S1/S8 to Munich Airport, travelling time: 45 minutes from Marienplatz
Good to know: Under the motto "The fastest way to Bavarian beer", the Bayerischer Brauerbund (Bavarian Brewers Association) offers a "Beer Finder". Here you can search online for breweries and brewery pubs and your favourite beer in Munich and throughout Bavaria.
