Beer is an important part of German culture and there’s perhaps no better way to experience it than in one of these five cities.
Munich
Over 7 million liters of beer are served during Oktoberfest.
Thanks to the famous Oktoberfest festival held annually here, Munich has become one of Germany’s top beer cities. During this 16-18 day festival, visitors from around the world are served over 7 million liters of locally brewed beer. But Munich’s beer scene extends far beyond Oktoberfest. The city has a plethora of beer gardens and halls, including the famous Hofbräuhaus am Platzl and Chinesischer Turm in the Englischer Garten park.
The Isarblu Hotel is just 400 meters from Theresienwiese, the outdoor venue where Oktoberfest is held. Guests can also use the on-site bar and rooftop terrace to take in the festival’s lively atmosphere.
Berlin
Craft breweries provide a fresh take on classic beers.
Dating back to the 16th century, Berliner Weisse is a cloudy, sour beer. At its height, there were 50 breweries in the city producing it, but today only one remains: Berliner Kindl Weisse. What sets Berliner Weisse apart from many other beers is that it’s often mixed with syrup or other beers to balance the sourness. While the number of breweries producing this classic beer has dwindled, the market is now filled with craft breweriesoffering new takes on traditional styles.
The Oderberger Hotel is just a 2-minute walk from Prater Biergarten Berlin, a self-service beer garden that operates seasonally and focuses on promoting locally brewed beers.
Düsseldorf
You can try Altbier at one of the city’s many breweries.
Altbier, meaning “old beer” in German, is a beer style that’s only brewed in Düsseldorf. The name comes from the way the beer is brewed, using a top-fermenting method with a long history. Altbier brewed this way will have yeast floating on top of the beer when it’s fermenting, giving it a light fruity flavor. The best way to taste Altbier here is to visit all eight of the city’s breweries, many of which are conveniently located around the Altstadt (Old Town). If you’re visiting Düsseldorf in the winter months, each brewery typically produces their own seasonal Altbier called “Sticke.”
The Derag Livinghotel De Medici has an ideal location between the Rhine river promenade and the bustling Old Town, just a short walk from the city’s top Altbier breweries.
Cologne
Cologne is the only place you can try original Kölsch beer.
Kölsch is another historic beer style that can only be found in Cologne. Produced since 1906, Kölsch is a top-fermented beer similar to Pilsner. Kölschis given a geographical designation, meaning the beer is considered to have quality or prestige due to the region it comes from. As a result, it can only be brewed in that region. So be sure to visit at least one of the 13 Brauhäuser (breweries) in and around Cologne. There, you can experience the unique service by Köbes, the servers of Kölsch beer.
The Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom is just steps away from the towering Kölner Dom cathedral and some of the city’s best breweries.
Nuremberg
Nuremberg’s beer history dates back to 1303.
Nuremberg’s history as a beer town dates back to 1303, when the city passed the Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law), which allowed only barley, hops, and water to be used in beer brewing. After passing this law, the city developed with beer production as its focal point. You can glimpse the city’s beer history in the centuries-old stone beer cellars that locals used for storing and hiding beer during World War II. These cellars are still in use today.
The Dürer-Hotel is just a 2-minute walk from the Historische Felsengänge Nürnberg beer cellar. You can take a tour of the famous beer labyrinth from here.