I am sure you have heard of Hofbräuhaus, one of the most famous beer halls in the world. The Hofbräuhaus München is the original beer hall built by Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V in 1589.
History
Beer was very expensive in Bavaria during the 16th century because beer had to be imported from Northern Germany. To reduce state expenditure on beer, Duke Wilhelm V commissioned the construction of a brewery in 1589. This brewery soon became known as the Brown Hofbräuhaus because the popular top-fermented beer brewed there was known at that time as “brown beer” – dark beer or stout.
Duke Maximilian invited the Master Brewer, Elias Pichler, to help make Hofbräuhaus beer the best in the world.
Layout
The Beer Garden (Biergarten) has room for almost 400 people to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Hofbräuhaus in the open air surrounded by the historical walls of the Hofbräuhaus.
The historical beer hall (Schwemme) on the ground floor is the heart of the Hofbräuhaus. The ceilings of the beer hall are decorated with colourful drawings. In-house bands blast out traditional Bavarian folk music at the bandstand, livening up the atmosphere in the beer hall.
Stylish Bavarian Restaurant (Bräustüberl) on the first floor is the perfect place to experience Bavarian hospitality. Grab a table near the beautiful bay overlooking Platz square or enjoy a glass of Hofbräu beer while listening to folk music. The extensive menu includes both traditional Munich dishes and light Bavarian cuisine.
Duke Wilhelm V built the historical festival hall (Festsaal) in 1589 but it was badly destroyed during World War II. It was completely renovated in 1958 and is now used again for festivities of all kinds. The festive hall can seat 650 people, offering impressive setting for numerous Bavarian traditions. Traditional folk music or the Schuhplattler dance guarantee a unique experience in the evening.
Food
When in Hofbräuhaus, you start the meal by ordering beers first. Hofbräuhaus serves various version of their famous Hofbräu beer. The most popular is of course the iconic Hofbräu Original [€9.90 for 1L] as well as Hofbräu Dark Beer [€4.95 for 0.5L].
Wildmosers Restaurant-Cafe at Marienplatz claim to be the birthplace of the Munich weisswurst (veal sausage) but the Münchner Weisswurst [€6.50] is equally as popular in the Hofbräuhaus. These white sausages are boiled in water and served in a pot. They are very mild in taste, best to eat it with the accompanying sweet mustard.
Roasted Pork Knuckle [€17.90] is the most iconic dish in German cuisine. It is so well-roasted that the meat falls off the bones.
We were curious how Roast Pork with Crackling Skin [€14.90] compares to the pork knuckle so we ordered one to try. There is nothing special except for the top layer of crackling skin which is really crispy. The rest of the meat is rather dry, I think the pork knuckle is still the better choice.
If you want something other than pork, 1/2 Bavarian Roast Chicken [€14.50] is a good choice. The chicken meat is tender and moist, the potato salad is slightly acidic and helps to balance out all the meatiness.
Even though Beef Goulash [€17.90] is the national dish of Hungary, it is also very popular in Germany. This robust stew of beef and vegetables is hearty and really warms you up.
Hofbräuhaus München
Address: Platzl 9, Munich 80331, Germany
Telephone: +49 89 290136100
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 12am
