Beer in the Bavarian Alps

By Owen Ogletree

Owen enjoys a liter of lager.

Munich ranks as a delightful beer city - filled with personable taverns, beer gardens and scrumptious Bavarian lagers and wheat beers, but to experience the true soul of Bavaria, rent a car at the Munich airport and venture south into the Alps. Along with the touristy Neuschwanstein Castle, southern Bavaria boasts breath-taking mountain views, terrific hiking and small breweries and brewpubs - all dripping with character, traditional German food and some of the world's best classic beer styles.

The small ski resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen makes the perfect central base for exploring the gorgeous Bavarian Alps by rental car, and the city houses some of the best beer halls and restaurants in the region.

Use my map below to navigate around the area and find the best beer spots. Photos follow that highlight a few of the outstanding destinations in the area. Prost!

Gasthof Drie Mohren offers a traditional pub with Paulaner
beers in the heart of Garmisch-Partenkirchen's old town.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen's Gasthof Fraundorfer is the place for
traditional food, music and Bavarian dancers in the evening.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen's delightful Braustuberl beer hall
serves the range of brews from Konig Ludwig.

Braugasthof Falkenstein in the rural Alps is a friendly brewpub with outstanding beers.

Braugasthof Falkenstein

On a German pub crawl, ask for a "schitt" - a small beer
in a large glass with foam. This allows for swirling, sniffing and moderation.

Don't miss walking around the grand Ettal Abbey and sampling the abbey
 beer and classic food across the street at the welcoming Ludwig der Bayer Bräustüberl.

Dachs Brau is a cozy, no-frills brewpub in the village of Weilheim in Oberbayern.

Gasthof  Olympiahaus in the old Olympic Village in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
serves the range of beers from Hacker-Pschorr.

Berggasthof Almhuette beer hall

On a rural hillside overlooking Garmisch-Partenkirchen sits the relaxing Berggasthof Almhuette
tavern with beers from the regional Mittenwalder brewery. Check out the hiking across the road.

Definitely make the trek to Oberstdorf to seek out the Dampfbierbrauerei that
makes rare house beers at warmer temperatures that showcase spicy, slightly fruity notes.

The small brewhouse at Dampfbierbrauerei in Oberstdorf. 

Oberstdorf is a wonderful walking village with inviting beer taverns and outdoor biergartens.