German Beer: Where To Buy Single Bottles?

German beer is renowned and loved worldwide for its reliability, deliciousness, and affordability. The most common types of German beer include Radler, German grapefruit beer, German lager, German pilsner, Witbier, Kolsch, and many more. If you're looking to buy a single bottle of German beer, there are a few options. Firstly, you can check your local liquor or beer stores, as they may carry German beer brands such as Bitburger, Hofbrau, Paulaner, and Weihenstephaner. Alternatively, you can explore online options, with websites like GotoLiquorStore and Biershop-Bayern offering German beer delivery. When purchasing German beer, keep in mind that the deposit system in Germany, known as Pfand, allows you to return bottles and receive a refund for the deposit amount.

German beer delivery services

German beer is renowned and loved around the world, and for good reason! It's not just delicious and food-friendly, but it's also usually very affordable. So, it's no surprise that you might be looking for German beer delivery services.

There are a few options for getting German beer delivered, depending on your location and preferences. Firstly, you can try local liquor stores that offer delivery services, such as GotoLiquorStore. By entering your address on their website, you can find out about pricing and availability in your area. This is a convenient option if you want to receive your beer as soon as possible.

Another option is to explore online beer shops, such as BierStars.de, which specialises in Bavarian beer. They offer a wide range of beers, including those that adhere to the centuries-old Bavarian purity requirement of only using water, hops, and malt in the brewing process. This site can be a great choice if you're looking for an authentic Bavarian beer experience.

If you're located in the United States, Total Wine & More offers a large selection of German beers online, including well-known brands such as Paulaner, Weihenstephaner, and Beck's. They also provide informative guides on their website, which can help you learn more about German beer styles and their unique characteristics.

For those looking to send German beer as a gift to someone in Germany, DrinkableGifts.com offers alcohol gift baskets with worldwide delivery. They can help you bypass the hassle of dealing with international customs, making it easier to send a thoughtful present to your loved ones.

Lastly, if you're in Southern California, The Wine Country offers a range of German beers alongside other fine wines, spirits, and gourmet foods. They provide both in-store pickup and delivery services, so you can enjoy your favourite German beer however you prefer.

With these delivery services, you can easily indulge in the unique and delicious world of German beer without even leaving your home!

German beer bottle return system

In Germany, there is a bottle return system called the Pfand system. When you buy certain products, you pay a deposit (Pfand) for the container. Upon returning the empty container, you receive your deposit back, and the bottles are either recycled or reused. The deposit is between 8 and 25 cents, depending on the type of container.

Bottle deposits

Beer bottles – 0.08€ (0.15€ for resealable bottles)

Aluminium cans – 0.25€

Single-use (Einweg) plastic bottles – 0.25€

Multiple-use (Mehrweg) glass and plastic bottles – 0.08€ to 0.15€

Where to return bottles

If a business sells Pfand containers, they must accept Pfand returns. They might refuse container types that they don't sell. For example, Aldi and Lidl only sell single-use cans and plastic bottles, so they don't accept multiple-use glass bottles. If a store is larger than 200 m², it must accept containers from all brands, not just the brands it sells.

You can return your bottles at the following places:

• Beverage stores (Getränkemarkt)
• Supermarkets: Most supermarkets have bottle return machines (Pfandautomat), either at the entrance, at the back of the store, or in a separate area in front of the store.
• Kiosks, Büddchen or Spätis: Germans usually buy cold beer at kiosks to chill with their friends in a park or by a river.

Bottle crates

Bottle crates (Bierkasten) also have a deposit between 0,75€ and 1,50€. You can return bottle crates where you return bottles. Bottle return machines (Pfandautomaten) have a hole at the bottom for bottle crates.

German beer brands

German beers are renowned worldwide, and the country ranks third in Europe for per-capita beer consumption. The German Beer Purity Law of 1516, or Reinheitsgebot, dictates that German beer may only be made with water, hops, barley, and yeast. However, modern German brewers can use other ingredients, but the product cannot be labelled as "beer".

• Bitburger: Founded in 1817 in Bitburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bitburger is one of the most dominant brands in the German market. Its selection includes the Bitburger Premium Pils, an unfiltered lager, and the alcohol-free Bitburger Drive 0.0%.
• Köstritzer: With a history dating back to 1543, Köstritzer is one of Germany's oldest Schwarzbier (black beer) producers. Their signature brew, Köstritzer Schwarzbier, is a dark beer known for its distinctive roasted malt character.
• Wernesgrüner: This brand has a rich history that goes back to 1436. Their Wernesgrüner Pilsner is a bitter specialty that gained popularity during the communist era in the DDR. It is crafted following the Reinheitsgebot law, allowing only malt, hops, yeast, and water as ingredients.
• Erdinger: Erdinger Weißbräu Werner Brombach GmbH, founded in 1886, is the world's largest wheat beer brewery. Their diverse portfolio includes Weißbier, Dunkel, Kristallweizen, and Alkoholfrei, their non-alcoholic offering.
• Franziskaner: Operating since 1363, Franziskaner is known for its delightful wheat beers. The Franziskaner Hefe-Weißbier, a hazy golden beer with a hint of fruity goodness, is a timeless Bavarian classic. They also brew a dark wheat beer, Dunkelweizen, and a crystal-clear option, Kristallweizen.
• Diebels: Established in 1878, Diebels made a name for itself with its Altbier, a top-fermented brew that follows the German Beer Purity Law. Diebels was a pioneer in the Altbier market and quickly captured over 50% of its market share.
• Spaten: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu, a well-known German brand, was formed in 1922 through the merger of Spaten-Brauerei and Franziskaner-Leist-Bräu. Their Spaten Münchner Hell lager has an ABV of 5.2% and showcases a subtle blend of malt and noble hops. They also brew the Spaten Oktoberfestbier for Munich's iconic Oktoberfest.
• Beck's: Founded in 1873, Beck's Brewery is known for its unmistakable green bottle. Their superstar, Beck's Pilsner, is a classic German-style pilsner with an ABV of 5%. They also offer Beck's Gold, a premium beer with a unique blend of hops and barley malt, and Beck's Blue, a non-alcoholic option.
• Schöfferhofer: Established in 1806, Schöfferhofer is known for its top-notch wheat beers, including the Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen and Schöfferhofer Grapefruit, brewed with natural grapefruit juice. In 2007, they were the first to blend wheat beer with grapefruit juice, becoming an instant classic in Germany.
• Löwenbräu: With roots tracing back to 1383, Löwenbräu is recognised for its iconic lion symbol. Their original lager, Löwenbräu Original, has an ABV of 5.2%. They also offer Löwenbräu Gold, a premium brew, and Löwenbräu Radler, which blends beer with lemon soda for a unique, refreshing taste.
• Radeberger: This brand began in

German beer styles

Pilsner

The Pilsner is the most popular style of German beer, holding around two-thirds of the market share. It is a pale lager with a light body and a prominent hop character. German-style pilsners tend to be drier and more bitter than their Czech counterparts.

Helles

Helles is a malty pale lager from Bavaria. It is less hoppy than a Czech pilsner and has a more malt-driven style that leans towards the sweeter end of the spectrum.

Radler

Radler is a combination of lager and citrus-flavoured soda.

Maibock

Maibock is a pale, strong lager brewed in the spring. It is the lightest and most sprightly of the bock beers.

Bock

Bock is a heavy-bodied, bittersweet lager that uses dark-coloured malts.

Doppelbock

Doppelbock is a very strong, full-bodied lager that uses dark-coloured malts. It is often named ending in "-ator", referencing the original doppelbock brewed by Paulaner.

Eisbock

Eisbock is an even stronger variation of doppelbock, with a portion of the water content removed through freezing. It is a very dark, heavy, and malty brew with a boozy, fruity, and intense flavour profile.

Märzen/Oktoberfest

Märzen, also known as Oktoberfest, is a medium-bodied, malty lager that comes in pale, amber, and dark varieties. This style of beer is traditionally served at the Munich Oktoberfest.

Dunkel

Dunkel is a dark lager made in two main varieties: the sweetish, malty Munich style, and the drier, hoppy Franconian style.

Schwarzbier

Schwarzbier, or "black beer", is the darkest of all German lagers. Despite its dark appearance, it has a surprisingly light and dry flavour profile, with restrained roasty bitterness.

Rauchbier

Rauchbier, or "smoke beer", is a style of German lager made with malt smoked over beechwood, giving it a unique smoky flavour.

Wheat Ales: Hefeweizen, Dunkelweizen, Weizenbock

When it comes to ales, Germany is most famous for its wheat beers. Hefeweizen is the most common, known for its cloudy appearance and powerful banana and clove-like aromatics. Dunkelweizen is a darker variation, with a caramelly, dark fruit-like flavour. Weizenbock is a stronger version, with more flavour and a higher ABV.

Altbier

Altbier is an unusual specialty from Düsseldorf, fermented with a yeast that operates best just above the temperatures usually reserved for lagers. It has a rich, nutty, bready malt character with a firm, spicy, floral hop bitterness.

Kölsch

Kölsch is a light-bodied, mildly fruity, and assertive hop profile beer. It is unusual as the name is protected within the European Union, so only breweries within the city of Cologne can legally brew it.

Berliner Weisse and Gose

Berliner Weisse and Gose are the most hip and trendy German beer styles. They are sour wheat beers that have gained popularity among American craft brewers.

German beer websites

German beer is renowned worldwide for its quality and unique flavour profiles, with a diverse range of beer styles. The country has a rich history of brewing, with the first recorded brewery being established in the 8th century. Today, Germany is home to some of the world's best beer brands, including Paulaner, Spaten, and Augustiner, which are enjoyed by beer lovers internationally.

BeerHunter

BeerHunter is a UK-based beer company specialising in offering a wide range of high-quality German beers, perfect for enthusiasts and connoisseurs. They source beers crafted using traditional brewing methods and the finest ingredients, ensuring each beer is of the highest quality. BeerHunter offers a variety of German beer styles, including pilsner, weizenbier, bockbier, Oktoberfestbier, and kolsch. They also provide alcohol-free and low-alcohol options.

Beers of Europe

Beers of Europe is an online beer shop that stocks well-known German beer brands, hidden gems, and new arrivals. They offer next-day delivery for top brands like Paulaner and Erdinger, as well as dozens of German lager varieties to choose from. Beers of Europe highlights the differences between "top-fermented" and "bottom-fermented" beers, which refer to the yeast strain and temperature used in production. They also provide insight into German beer culture, such as the ancient law "Reinheitsgebot" that protects the purity of beer.

BierStars

BierStars is a Bavarian beer shop based in Munich, committed to sharing the century-old brewing tradition and high-quality standards of Bavarian beer with all of Europe. According to the Bavarian purity requirement established in 1516, only water, hops, and malt should be used for brewing Bavarian beer. This law is still in force today, showcasing the importance Bavarians place on their beer. At BierStars, you can find a variety of Bavarian beer specialties, from refreshing Weissbier to unique barbecue offerings.

GotoLiquorStore

GotoLiquorStore is a website that offers beer, wine, and liquor delivery from local stores. They partner with nearby stores to fulfil orders and provide pricing and availability based on your location. However, it is unclear if they specifically cater to German beer.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers a selection of German beers online and in-store. They carry various styles, including Munich Helles Lager, German lager, German pilsner, and Hefeweizen. In addition, they provide variety packs, gift sets, and specialty styles. Total Wine & More also offers insights into the world of German beer, its history, and the different styles available.

Frequently asked questions