Best Vienna Breweries and Craft Beer

 

The city of Vienna is popular for its coffee-house culture. And the other popular activity with both locals and tourists is visiting one of the wineries to taste the new wine from the surrounding vineyards.

But did you know beer is one of the most popular drinks in Austria? Thanks to their neighbours like Germany and the Czech Republic to their north, Austria is a beer paradise in its own right and boasts of a rich history and plenty of great brews on tap.

Although the popular Austrian and Bavarian brands are widely available in the bars and clubs across the city, there are a few local breweries for anyone who is looking for a taste of craft beer Vienna.

Today, beer is one of Vienna’s favourite drinks and an average Austrian consumes more than 100 litres of beer every year. Vienna Breweries have a long tradition of beer and age-old recipes, but they also experiment with new ideas of brewing, which has brought them international attention.

In fact, some of these brewers invite guests for tastings and open their breweries to the public. Join us on our Vienna tours as we discover the old and new breweries in Vienna and their craft beers.

 

Brief History of Austrian Beer

For a very long time, brewing in Austria has been closely linked to German beer, which in turn has been influenced and draws inspiration from brewing traditions in the United Kingdom. Dating back to 1229, Brauerei Hofstetten is the oldest brewery in Austria that has been producing Märzenbier (March beer) for generations. Since then, beer has been at the heart of Austrian cuisine and is enjoyed throughout the country.

During the 19th century the character of Austrian beer underwent a dramatic change. Anton Dreher, a brewer from Schwechat town started maturing beer in a cold cellar (today this process is known as lagering). This turned out to be a monumental contribution in the production of beer. In fact, pale lagers which use this maturation method are now the most popular beers in the world. Further, Dreher used this process in combination with the distinctive Vienna malt and hot air kilns to create the Vienna lager – an Austrian beer style that has a complex history and is hugely popular with the masses.

 

How and where do Austrians drink their beer

If you’re going for craft beer tasting anywhere in Austria, the experience is likely to be similar to the one you’ll find in neighbouring Germany or Czechia. You’ll come across bars and pubs that are warm and friendly with wooden tables and antiquated decor. Your glass of beer will be accompanied with traditional foods like Schnitzel or Würstchen with a healthy portion of potatoes on the side, which is truly filling. Unlike countries like the Netherlands or the United Kingdom, it’s rare for breweries to have a monopoly on local menus. As a result, most bars and pubs serve beers from a variety of Austrian breweries.

Today, Austrians drink 107.6 litres per person more than anyone else besides the Czechs who consume 191.8 litres a year. Therefore, it’s not surprising that they order drinks in larger sizes. In fact, Austrian bars and pubs serve beer in either a Krügel (0.5 litres) or a Seidl (0.3 litres), which are both tall and slender glasses with a handle on the side. All-in-all, Austrians drink local craft beers more often than the imported beer that still remains niche in the country. It’s a well-known fact that beer is more popular than wine in the western Austrian states than the eastern ones.

 

Local Austrian Beer Styles

Austria shares its border with the German state of Bavaria as well as the Czech region of South Bohemia, and as it sits at the crossroads of Central Europe’s two great beer brewing traditions. Here’s an overview of a few local Austrian beer styles that are popular with locals and tourists alike.

 

1. Austrian Märzen

Märzen is considered as the national beer of Austria and shares certain similarities with its German cousin, the Bavarian Helles. While Bavarian Helles is light golden and a seasonal favourite at Oktoberfest, Austrian Märzen is more golden and amber in colour; and lighter than a Vienna lager. It has a sweeter taste and generally has a stronger malt character than its German variety. As it’s the most popular style of Austrian beer, you’ll find it at most bars throughout the country, and is the default beer on tap.

Popular Austrian Märzen beers include: 

• Augustiner Bräu Märzen Bier 
• Brauerei Hirt Hirter 1270er 
• Brauerei Schnaitl
• Stiegl-Spezial

 

2. Vienna Lager

Vienna lagers are also known as amber lagers in other parts of the world. It’s rich and because of its colour, these big-bodied lagers go well on a wintry evening in a cosy pub. These beers are traditionally served in large dimpled mugs, giving you an opportunity to bask in their toasty malted character.  Vienna Lager has its own fan following across the world and is also brewed in a few North American craft breweries. 

Popular Vienna lagers from Austria include:

• Hofstetter Granite Beer
• Vienna Style Lager – Loncium
• Rodauner’s Gigerl 
• Schwechater Wiener Lager

 

3. Zwickelbier

Zwicklbier is a unique beer and is more of a process that does not involve any kind of filtration.  Although a typical lager beer is bright and as clear as water, a Zwicklbier is misty or has a cloudy appearance due to the yeast floating around. 

Due to its popularity its brewed by many breweries across Austria making it an unfiltered version of one of their core beers.  As there is no filtration or pasteurization process, Zwickl beers are best enjoyed as fresh as possible.  Most Austrian breweries sell these beers by the bottle and are certainly a treat from the tap if you can find one.

Popular Austrian Zwickl beers include:

• Freistädter Bio Zwickl
• Pinzga Zwickl 
• Zwettler Zwickl
• Tyroler Imperial Zwickl

 

4. Craft Beer and Homebrewing in Austria

Despite having several breweries operating since the last 20 years, Austrian does have a craft beer scene. Beer drinkers in Austria take their tipple very seriously and although several national brands exist and are quite popular everywhere, it’s not uncommon for the average beer drinker to stick to the regionally-made beer.

Today, cities like Vienna and Salzburg are becoming craft beer destinations in their own right, and even boasts plenty of brewpubs and Europe-style craft beer bars.

Few of Austria’s most popular craft breweries:

• Alefried Bier 
• Bevog Brewery 
• Bierol 
• Brew Age 

In Austria, homebrewing is legal and there are no restrictions when it comes to producing it in your home as long as it’s for your own personal use.

 

Recommended Vienna Tours: Vienna Local Beers on Self-Guided Tour

 

Top 10 Breweries in Vienna

 

1. Ottakringer

This traditional brewery was established way back in 1837. Located in the centre of Vienna, a visit to the brewery will give you a chance to see the functioning of one of the last remaining independent breweries in Austria. They offer guided tours and will show you the ins and outs of the brewery along with the various stages of brewing beer – from the fermentation to the bottle capping. After the tour you’ll get an opportunity to taste some of their best beers.

 

2. 1516 Brewing Company

If you’re looking for unique home-brewed Austrian beers, then you must visit 1516 Brewing Company. This cosy pub brews its own beers and ales from malted barley on its premises alongside hearty Austrian dishes. Roasted malts, Caramelized malts, and even Smoked malts in the grain bill give the brews specific aromas, a distinctive colour and robust body that you aren’t likely to find elsewhere in Vienna.

 

3. 7Stern Bräu

If you’re looking for a proper Vienna beer hall that brews plenty of ales onsite, then 7 Stern Brau is the place for you.  Their Marzen is excellent, as is their Dunkel, while the Chilli Beer certainly has a kick.  All beer is served in steins, and if you like their beers, you can take-away from their beer vending machine.  Besides their beer, they also offer an excellent ambience – you’ll find a nice beer garden and a bright yellow interior covered in beer related pictures and brewing equipment proudly displayed.

 

4. Fischer Bräu

A guesthouse brewery located just outside the Vienna Ring Road. It was founded in 1985, and the staples on their beer include the Weizen and Helles, while their special beers include – Chocolate Ale, Honey Ale, Stout, and the hard-to-brew Rye beer. They also offer a rotating seasonal menu that includes a Pale Ale, Bocks, and a unique spelt beer. Besides beer, they also host regular jazz sessions at the weekend in the summer months.

 

5. The Highlander

This family-owned brewery and gastropub is located on a secluded square and offers one of the rare stouts in town. Although it may not have the same robust flavour of the Irish classic – Guinness, but has more carbonation and clarity. While their lager is fuller bodied than most Helles you’ll find anywhere in Vienna. Besides their good beer they also serve some of the best Austrian cuisines and wine. They offer two litre jugs for takeaway.

 

6. Medl-Bräu

This guesthouse-brewery is located in the Penzing area of Vienna. It has an interesting story and was started after the owner won the local Lotto in 1987. Today, they offer self-brewed light, dark and Märzen beers, as well as seasonal Bock and Weissbier specialities.

 

7. Salm Bräu

This brewery is located just outside the inner ring road near the stunning Belvedere Castle. Besides being a brewery, they also are one of the oldest manufacturers of brewing equipment in the world. They also opened one of the best bars in Vienna in 1994 and since then have been serving their own top-class beer and hearty home-style dishes.

 

8. Wieden Bräu

This guest house brewery is located in the Viennese neighbourhood by the same name. They specialize in German-style beers that are lighter than the usual Austrian beers. It’s a popular haunt for locals, as some arrive mid-afternoon to make most of the half-priced happy hour.  Their preferred Märzen is hoppy, malty, mildly bitter, and like all the beers on tap, unfiltered. You can pair your beer with a hearty meal. They have a beer garden where you can sip on beer during the hot summer afternoons. All-in-all the entire property simply exudes a slice of relaxed Viennese life.

 

9. Beaver Brewing Company

This brewing company brews classic craft beer varieties as well as rotating experimental beers on-site. They offer 14 of their own beers on tap along with a good selection of guest bottles and cans from other breweries of Vienna. If you prefer classic and easy-going beer, go for the Great Lakes Pale Ale and if you’re feeling adventurous, try a Porter, or a Strong Dark Ale. In the food menu they serve typical craft beer pub food, such as quality burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, salads, ribs etc. If you like their beer and want to take home, they provide you with 1 or 2 litres growlers to take out.

 

10. Collabs Brewery

They go by the name Collabs brewery, but they call themselves the nomad brewers. In 2015, two beer experts decided to start their own brewery. Such a brewery that does not have its own brewery, but moves from one brewery to the other in order to create very special beers together with the respective owners. Creativity can be found in their brew variations and in the names. Whether its their Viennese interpretation of a ‘Berlin Weisse’ or their modern take of a pils, the ‘Domrep Pils’, they have proven to be a hit amongst beer aficionados.

 

Craft Beer Vienna Tasting with Rosotravel

A trip to Vienna is incomplete without visiting one of its top breweries and tasting their craft beers. As a visitor you may be confused which is the best brewery to visit, hence it’s advisable to join a private Vienna breweries tour with Rosotravel and explore a whole new world of Austrian beer.

During the beer tasting, our local expert guide will explain to you the brewing process, the various types of beer and how to taste a beer like a professional. As you drink, you can sample some traditional Austrian snacks. The beer tasting will be followed up with stories about local brewing traditions and fun facts about beer worldwide.

By the end of the experience, you’ll have a better understanding and appreciation of craft beer Vienna as well as Austria’s beer industry.

 

Recommended Vienna Tours: Vienna Private Austrian Beer Tasting Tour

 

Beer Festival and Events in Vienna

Considering the drink’s popularity with locals and tourists, Vienna hosts several beer-flavoured festivals during the year. 

The most popular ones include:  

• Ottakringer Beer Festival (Ottakringer Bierfest) – This festival celebrates the long tradition of brewing at Ottakringer. The celebrations are held during the summer months (June-September). It features craft beers from Ottakringer and other Vienna Breweries and includes tasty street food.

 

• Vienna Beer Festival (Wiener Bierfest) – This outdoor event is held in mid-September and brings together the big and small breweries of Vienna, on the Am Hof square – a huge square that marks the historical centre of Vienna.

 

• Craft Beer Festival (Craft Bier Fest) – This is one of the big events that brings together brews from all over the world and also for learning more about the ‘craft’ of craft beer and buying appropriate brewing supplies. It’s usually held twice a year in May and November.

 

We hope you found this post on Best Breweries and Craft Beer Vienna useful and hope you have a great time exploring Vienna breweries and tasting their craft beers during your Vienna tours.