12 Famous Beer Festivals in Germany

What comes to your mind when someone mentions Germany? Hey, beer, of course!!

And it’s not just beer, but also the happy crowds all arm in arm, singing, swaying and sloshing giant mugs of beer, cheering each other on and relishing a variety of meat dishes and giant pretzels.

Ah, it’s a Beer Festival again.

According to beer connoisseurs, German beer festivals are the best and a trip to Germany is incomplete without attending at least one such festival. The country is one of the largest brewers of beer and there are brands and tastes to suit all kinds of beer lovers. That is why it’s no surprise that you will find at least one beer festival going on when you are on your Germany tour.

Most Beer festivals in Germany have a cultural and historical beginning. For instance, Oktoberfest was celebrated as the wedding between Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese. Nowadays the beer festival in Germany is more of a ‘Volksfest‘, a celebration of the local community, by the local community. They’re all very similar to each other, but there is a slight distinction.

So, where does a beer-seeker start? Well, it’s Munich’s Oktoberfest, the most obvious answer. This is the largest beer fest in the world and it’s on a lot of people’s bucket list.

So whether you like large crowds or small events, Germany offers several wonderful fests, both large and small, where you can enjoy beer along with roasted chicken and merriment.

So raise your glass and say cheers to the 12 most famous beer festivals in Germany.

Oktoberfest

Where: Munich

When: mid-September to October

Oktoberfest is the mother of all beer festivals. It’s the world’s largest beer festival and attracts more than 6 million people annually. The festival dates back to 1810 when the Bavarians were invited to a lavish marriage celebration of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese, after whom the Oktoberfest grounds, Theresienwiese, is named.

The festival kicks off with a parade of local landlords in flower-adorned carriages and magnificent brewery carts drawn by draft horses. After the first beer barrel is traditionally tapped in the Schottenhamel tent, Oktoberfest opens to a salute of 12 gunshots, then the beer starts flowing and an incredible 6,800,000 litres is consumed over 2 weeks.

The beer flows from Munich’s six local breweries and there is plenty of German fare to relish including sausages and pretzels, along with live music, singing and dancing. Even though a large portion of the six million visitors are tourists, Oktoberfest manages to maintain its traditional Bavarian charm.

Stuttgart Beer Festival

Where: Stuttgart

When: last week of September to early October

Locally known as ‘Cannstatter Wasen’, the Stuttgart Beer Festival is not just one of the largest beer festivals in Germany, but also one of the oldest. Officially started by King Wilhelm I in 1818, the festival attracts more than four million beer lovers from around the world each year.

This festival is not only about endless steins overflowing with beer in the massive festival tents, but also fun rides like ferris wheels, swing carousel and roller coaster. The festival is family-friendly and there are lots of things for the little ones to do, including clowns and face-painting. Also part of the fest is an open-air market where you can shop for hand-made German souvenirs.

The festival includes an impressive parade with horse-drawn brewery wagons, locals dressed in traditional costumes, and a variety of folk groups and bands walking through the narrow and beautiful streets of the city.

Freimarkt

Where: Bremen

When: mid-October to early November

First held in 1035, this is Germany’s oldest fair and is hosted during the final two weeks of October. This means, if you miss Oktoberfest you’ll have another opportunity to enjoy a massive beer festival in northern Germany. This massive beer festival, street party, and carnival draw approximately 4 million visitors annually to Bremen.

The festival ground is located at the Burgerweide and covers an area of 100,000 square meters, and features several beer tents. Besides the great beer, there are tons of rides and carnival food, perfect if you’re hoping to take your family to this German beer festival. And if you’re not ready to call it a night when the festival closes, the party keeps on going at the Halle arena nearby until the sun comes up.

Hamburger DOM

Where: Hamburg

When: March – April; July – August; November – December.

Instead of one, the city of Hamburg celebrates three annual beer festivals. These festivals are held in spring, summer and winter seasons and all are referred to as the ‘Hamburger Dom’. The festival dates back to the time when Mariendom Cathedral was used as a shelter during the winter. Though the cathedral was demolished in 1804 the event continues to live on.

Today, the festival is held on Heiligengeistfeld and is a major event in the city’s calendar. It’s more like a fair than a beer festival, with plenty of thrilling rides to try. This is a good opportunity to savour local food and try hop-based beverages. On the final night, it all ends with a spectacular display of fireworks.

Starkbierfest

Where: Munich

When: March – April

The people of Munich really know how to celebrate life to its fullest and their love for beer says it all. Starkbierzeit means ‘Strong Beer Time’ and every year when the snow begins to melt in Munich and spring arrives, local breweries produce their strongest beer to celebrate the good times and good things in life.

The festival dates back to the 17th century when the Paulaner monks started making an extra strong beer to sustain themselves during the Lenten fast. The festival is held every year in March for two weeks and unlike Oktoberfest; this festival is largely skipped by tourists making it a locally centric event.

During the festival you can enjoy all types of fresh tasty brews, sing songs, dance on tables and check out the locals wearing their lederhosen and celebrate Bavarian culture.

International Berlin Beer Festival

Where: Berlin

When: early August

The Berlin Beer Festival was started in 1997 with the aim of getting the best beers across the world under one roof. Though the festival lasts for only three days, its uniqueness makes it one of the best in the world. During the festival, you will witness more than 300 breweries from 90 countries offering more than 2000 types of beer.

In 2011, the festival earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest beer garden in the world. This proves the festival is now a popular tourist attraction. The festival features live bands playing to create a party atmosphere and the best part is that admission is free. If this German beer festival interest’s you, don’t miss your chance to visit as it’s only held for one weekend in early August.

Recommended Tour: Berlin Private German Wine Tasting Tour

Bergkirchweih

Where: Erlangen

When: June

The small town of Erlangen is home to one of the oldest beer festivals in the world. It may be unknown to international visitors, but its brewing history runs deep. Just a few hundred years ago, this small town had 18 breweries and exported more beer than anywhere else in Bavaria and the beer festival has been a part of its culture since 1755.

Locally it’s known as the ‘Berg‘ festival and over one million beer drinkers visit the festival every year. It is set at the base of a hill below the town’s castle where brewers built cellars to store their beers in the 18th century. Every year, each cellar erects a ‘beer garden’ starting at the base of the hill and moving upwards. And huge leafy trees are adorned with paper lanterns. It’s a unique setting to enjoy the special Bergkirche beer that local breweries brew exclusively for the festival that lasts for 12 days.

Schützenfest

Where: Hanover

When: June – July

The Schützenfest tran