The Best Places To Buy Authentic German Beer

Germany has a rich history of brewing, with over 1,000 years of beer-making experience. The country's beers are known for their variety and quality, and German breweries have crafted some of the world's most iconic beers. German beers are typically divided into top-fermented and bottom-fermented categories, which refer to the yeast strain and temperature used in production.

German beers are widely available in North America and the UK, with online shops and local retailers offering a range of options. Beers of Europe, for example, offers next-day delivery for popular brands like Paulaner and Erdinger, as well as lesser-known options. In the US, German beers can be found at Total Wine & More, and Uptown Beverage in Schenectady, NY, offers same-day delivery within 20 miles.

Some of the most popular German beer brands include Bitburger, Hofbrau, Paulaner, Rasselbock, Franziskaner, Weihenstephaner, Spaten, and Ayinger.

Online beer shops

If you're looking to buy authentic German beer online, there are several shops that can help you out.

Beers of Europe

Beers of Europe stocks some of the best German beer brands, as well as hidden gems and tasty newcomers. They have a wide range of German lager varieties for you to taste, including top-fermented and bottom-fermented beers. They offer next-day delivery for top brands like Paulaner and Erdinger.

Beer Merchants

Beer Merchants offers an extensive range of German beers, including German lager and wheat beer. They stock popular brands such as Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, and Augustiner. You can filter your search by price and browse their selection of German beers to find the perfect brew.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers a wide selection of German beers online, including popular brands such as Paulaner, Weihenstephaner, and Spaten. They also offer variety packs and gift sets, making it a great option if you're looking to try different German beers or gift them to someone.

GotoLiquorStore

GotoLiquorStore is an online liquor store that partners with local stores to fulfill orders. They offer a range of German beers, but you will need to enter your address to see pricing and availability in your area.

Uptown Beverage

Uptown Beverage offers same-day delivery within 20 miles of their location in Schenectady, NY. They have a variety of German beers available, including Spaten, Franziskaner, and Weihenstephaner. You can browse their website to see their full selection and place your order.

German supermarkets and breweries

German Supermarkets

Supermarkets in Germany are a convenient option for purchasing authentic German beer. While the selection may vary by region, some of the common supermarket chains in Germany include:

• Metro Cash and Carry: A hypermarket chain offering a wide range of products, including beverages.
• Netto Marken-Discount: A hypermarket, supermarket, and convenience store chain.
• Nah & gut: Another option for hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

These supermarkets offer a variety of German beer brands, and you can often find regional specialties and local favourites alongside the more widely distributed brands.

German Breweries

Germany is home to numerous breweries, ranging from small, independent operations to large, well-known companies. Here are some of the notable German breweries:

• Radeberger Gruppe: The largest brewery conglomerate in Germany, owning over a dozen breweries and brands such as "Hasen-Bräu", "Berliner Pilsner", and "Berliner Bürgerbräu".
• Anheuser-Busch InBev Germany: The German subsidiary of the world's largest brewery group, owning breweries such as Beck's and Spaten-Löwenbräu.
• Krombacher: With roots dating back to 1803, Krombacher is known for its pilsner, dark beer, and wheat beer.
• Bitburger: Founded in 1817, Bitburger is one of the dominant brands in the German market, known for its Premium Pils and alcohol-free options.
• Oettinger: A family-owned brewery that has found success through direct sales to supermarkets and beverage markets. They offer a wide range of beers under their brand and also supply private labels.

In addition to these larger breweries, Germany is also home to countless smaller, regional breweries that take pride in their local specialties. Many towns and cities have their own beloved brew, and visiting these local breweries can be a great way to experience authentic German beer culture.

German beer festivals

Germany is known for its big beer festivals, and the biggest of them all is Munich's Oktoberfest, which is the world's largest Volksfest. It's held annually from mid- or late September to the first Sunday in October, with more than seven million international and national visitors at its peak. It's been going on since 1810, with a few years off for wars, epidemics and inflation. The festival is kicked off by the Mayor of Munich tapping the first keg and shouting "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!" in Austro-Bavarian dialect).

There are 14 large tents and 20 small tents at Oktoberfest, with beer from Munich's "Big 6" breweries. The festival also features amusement rides, side stalls, games, and traditional German food.

If you can't make it to Oktoberfest, there are plenty of other beer festivals to choose from. Here are some of the best:

• Stuttgart Beer Festival (Cannstatter Volksfest): held over 17 days in September and October, it's the second-largest Volksfest in the world, attracting around four million visitors.
• Starkbierfest: a spring festival in Munich that emphasises strong beers, with alcohol percentages of 7% ABV and above.
• Springfest (Frühlingsfest): held in Munich in the spring, it's similar to Oktoberfest but with just two large tents.
• Stuttgart Springfest (Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest): bigger than Munich's Springfest, with five huge beer tents and an extra week of partying.
• Bergkirchweih: a quieter festival held in Erlangen in May/June under impressive chestnut trees adorned with lanterns.
• International Berlin Beer Festival: a hip alternative held in the Friedrichshain district in August, with beers from around the world and live music.

German restaurants and bars

New York

New York City was once home to a large German immigrant population, and while many of the German restaurants and bakeries have disappeared, a few stalwarts remain. One of the oldest is Heidelberg, an Upper East Side classic that has been serving up traditional German fare since 1936. The bar and interior remain unchanged, with the same recipes and atmosphere as it had in the past. Expect huge hunks of pork, crispy schnitzels, crunchy potato pancakes, and bountiful platters of sausages.

For something a little more modern, try Loreley, a 19-year-old beer hall with a menu that's a little more ambitious than most. Alongside the usual schnitzels and pretzels, you'll find eggplant and chicken schnitzels, a grilled hanger steak, and even tacos, hamburgers, and a kale Caesar.

Other German restaurants and bars in New York include Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar, Max Bratwurst und Bier, Pilsener Haus & Biergarten, Hofbräu Bierhaus NYC, Reichenbach Hall, Berlin Currywurst, Rolf's German Restaurant, Radegast Hall & Biergarten, Gottscheer Hall, Zum Stammtisch, Rudy's Pastry Shop, Black Forest Brooklyn, Die Stammkneipe/Der Schwarze Kölner, Werkstatt, Nurnberger Bierhaus, Schnitzel Haus, and Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn.

Tokyo

Bernd's Bar in the Roppongi district of Tokyo is an institution, with owner Bernd Haag entertaining guests in English, German, Spanish, and Japanese. Expect to find fresh pretzels on the table and a standard selection of German beers on tap.

Vancouver

Bauhaus, located in Vancouver's historic Gastown district, is a minimalist German restaurant that opened in 2015. The chefs at Bauhaus have given German food a modern twist, with dishes like veal stroganoff, pickled cucumbers with cured herring, and roasted quail with peaches, chanterelle mushrooms, and chickpeas.

Philadelphia

Brauhaus Schmitz in Philadelphia has one of the most impressive German draft programs in the country, with 30 German beers on tap and another 50 in bottles. The restaurant also closes its block for Oktoberfest and Maifest in the spring, creating a festive atmosphere.

London

Katzenjammers in London is a rowdy spot that echoes with the clink of raised glasses and oompah music. Under barrel-vaulted ceilings, waiters in lederhosen serve platters of pretzels, wursts, and a couple of roasts, but most people come for the music and beer. Six German brews are on tap, and more than 20 more are available in bottles.

Georgia

Old Heidelberg in Helen, Georgia, is a kitsch temple to German gastro fun. Located in the replica Bavarian town of Helen, which was remade in the style of an alpine village in the 1960s, Old Heidelberg has been serving schnitzel and sausages since 1975. It has an expansive beer garden out front, surrounded by forested hills a couple of hours' drive from Atlanta.

Melbourne

Melbourne's Munich Brauhaus is a sleek, modern take on the traditional bierkeller, located on the banks of the Yarra River. The bright, cavernous space can fit hundreds of people and features live oompah music every night, copious amounts of beer, and even an eating contest for a 1-kilo schnitzel.

Stockholm

Zum Franziskaner in Stockholm claims to have been founded by German monks in 1421, making it one of the oldest bars in the world. The restaurant gives off a hunting lodge feel, with an arched ceiling, warm lighting, and dark wood panelling. German and Austrian beers rule the taps, and the food is a mix of German sausages and Swedish specialties like venison with lingonberries, fennel, and goat cheese.

Jakarta

Ya Udah in Jakarta has been serving a four-pound grilled pork knuckle since 2001. Its eclectic menu is meat-heavy, with dozens of sausages, roasted meat, and cabbage dishes. The restaurant has a politically incorrect vibe, with a smoking policy that encourages smokers to light up.

Salt Rock, South Africa

Siggi's German Restaurant in Salt Rock, South Africa, feels more like a Jamaican beach shack than a Munich beer hall. But the food is all German, with dishes like pickled herring with apple dressing, veal schnitzel with spaetzle and paprika sauce, and Black Forest cake. Wash it all down with a Bitburger, Erdinger, Paulaner, or one of 10 other German and Belgian imports.

La Cumbrecita, Argentina

Helmut's, located in the German enclave of La Cumbrecita near Cordoba, is named after the town's founder, a Berliner who bought a tract of barren land in 1934 and built an alpine-style village surrounded by forest. Helmut's granddaughter still runs his namesake restaurant, which serves dishes that will remind you of Argentina, like Black Forest cake, alongside German wines.

German beer styles

Pilsner

Pilsner is a pale lager with a light body and a prominent hop character. It is the most popular style in Germany, holding around two-thirds of the market. Pilsners are typically crisp and floral, with a zesty, bitter mouthfeel. They have an ABV range of 4% to 6%, making them a great choice for a refreshing beverage on a warm day.

Helles

Helles is a malty pale lager from Bavaria. It is less hoppy than its Czech cousin, with a more malt-driven style that leans towards the sweeter end of the spectrum. Helles typically has an ABV of around 4.5% to 5% and is a great everyday beer that pairs well with salads, shrimp, or fish.

Maibock

Maibock is a pale, strong lager brewed in the spring. It is a bit hoppier than other bocks and typically has an ABV of 6.5% to 7%. The name translates to "May Bock," indicating its seasonal nature.

Märzen

Märzen is a medium-bodied, malty lager that comes in pale, amber, and dark varieties. It is traditionally served at the Munich Oktoberfest and has an ABV of around 5.2% to 6%.

Bock

Bock is a heavy-bodied, bitter-sweet lager that uses dark-coloured malts. It is a strong and very malty beer with an ABV of around 6.5% to 7%. Bocks are perfect for pairing with hearty meals or enjoying as a warming drink during the colder months.

Doppelbock

Doppelbock is a stronger and fuller-bodied version of Bock. It uses dark-coloured malts and has an ABV ranging from 8% to 12%. Doppelbocks are rich and decadent, often named ending in "-ator" as a reference to the original doppelbock.

Dunkel

Dunkel is a dark lager that comes in two main varieties: the sweetish, malty Munich style and the drier, hoppy Franconian style. Dunkels typically have an ABV of 4% to 6% and pair well with sausages or earthy cheeses.

Schwarzbier

Schwarzbier, or "black beer," is the darkest of all German lagers. Despite its dark appearance, it is surprisingly easy to drink, with a light body and dry finish. Schwarzbier typically has an ABV of around 4% to 6% and is a great choice for pairing with heavy, homemade German sausages or pastries.

Wheat Ales: Hefeweizen, Dunkelweizen, and Weizenbock

Germany is famous for its wheat beers, and Hefeweizen is the most common style. Hefeweizen is cloudy and poured into towering glasses, showcasing its powerful banana and clove-like aromatics. Dunkelweizen is a darker variation with a caramelly, dark fruit-like flavour, while Weizenbock is a stronger version with more flavour and alcohol content.

Altbier

Altbier is an unusual specialty from Düsseldorf. It is fermented at cooler temperatures than most ales, resulting in a rich, nutty, and bready malt character. Altbiers typically have an ABV of around 5% and pair well with roasted meats and desserts.

Kölsch

Kölsch is a light-bodied, mildly fruity, and assertive hop profile beer. It is easy to drink, with an ABV of around 5%. Kölsch is protected within the European Union, so only breweries within the city of Cologne can use the name.

Berliner Weisse and Gose

Berliner Weisse and Gose are sour wheat beers that have gained popularity among American craft brewers. They are soured with the bacteria Lactobacillus, resulting in a tart and refreshing beer. Gose is also spiced with salt and coriander, adding a unique citrusy note.

Frequently asked questions