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Beer Gardens in Munich: Tradition and Bavarian lifestyle
A true Bavarian institution is celebrating its anniversary in 2012: 200 years of beer gardens in Munich! It was prohibited to serve beers outside beer cellars up until 1812 when a decree by King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria officially allowed brewers to sell beers from their cellars – this hailed the birth of a new way of life and a key part of Bavarian culture. The sale of meals was still strictly forbidden, so as to not create competition for the city's restaurants. Patrons were therefore allowed to bring their own food with them to beer gardens in Munich and to eat it there.
In order to keep the beer cool, the brewers planted chestnut and linden trees above their cellars. This allowed the beer to stay fresh and cool. The shady trees proved to have a wide appeal with the citizens of Munich, so they would drink the beer they'd bought to take home with them right away. That was the beginning of a long tradition – the beer garden in Munich.
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Michaela Bauer, restaurant manager at the Westin Grand Munich recommends: My personal tip for Munich is the Paulaner's Restaurant & Beer Garden at The Westin Grand Munich. Private you can find me with my friends at the beer garden in Grosshesselohe in Munich, where you may experience best ribs and you finally can play mini-golf. The “Seehaus” in the Englischer Garten, however, is the meeting point for young and old, and a showcase of high society. After a stroll through the Englischer Garten sunny day in Munich can finish off perfectly! |
The tradition has been the trademark of the relaxed Bavarian atmosphere right through until today and has always enjoyed great popularity, as visitors to beer gardens in Munich are still allowed to bring their own food to eat under the chestnut trees. It is part of the Bavarian lifestyle to pack up a picnic basket and enjoy the mild summer days with a freshly tapped beer from a beer garden in Munich.
You can experience numerous events in the beer gardens of Munich as part of the anniversary year. The largest event is certainly the Oktoberfest on the Theresienwiese grounds. Even here you're allowed to bring your own food to eat in the gardens in front of the tents. There is also the famous Coopers' Dance and other traditional shows to accompany the anniversary year of beer gardens in Munich. The Beer and Oktoberfest Museum is also offering an additional special exhibition about beer gardens in Munich.
Around 180 beer gardens in Munich offer space to sit under the beautiful chestnut trees. There are two wonderful beer gardens to discover in the immediate vicinity of the Westin Grand Munich.
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Situated right in the middle of the Englischer Garten park at the foot of the Chinesischer Turm ("Chinese Tower") is the second-largest beer garden in Munich, which can seat up to 7,000. After strolling around or sunbathing in the Englischer Garten park, you can round off your leisurely day by paying a visit to the beer garden. On Sundays guests can sway in time to the traditional brass band music and enjoy the lively goings-on. As soon as the first rays of sun hit the ground, the idyllic beer garden begins to fill up with outdoor enthusiasts and beer lovers who want to enjoy the start of the beer garden season in Munich with a beer and a bite to eat. |
