Munich, Germany
Hofbräu München
The Bavarian state brewery, founded as the ducal court brewery and now best known internationally through its beer hall.
Also known as Staatliches Hofbräuhaus in München, Hofbräu.
Why it matters
Founded to supply a court rather than a market, and still owned by the state of Bavaria. One of the six breweries entitled to serve at Oktoberfest, and the origin point of the Hofbräuhaus as a global template for the German beer hall.
Details
| Founded | 1589 |
|---|---|
| Where | Munich, Germany |
| Status | Operating |
Reference beers
BeerHQ carries only the products that anchor something. This is not the brewery’s full range.
Styles it is associated with
- Munich Helles — Bavaria’s everyday pale lager: soft, bready and malt-forward, with just enough hop to balance and nothing to distract.
- Festbier — The golden, stronger lager actually served at modern Oktoberfest — malt-forward and smooth, but pale rather than amber.
Traditions
- Bavarian lager brewing — Cold fermentation and extended cold storage, developed in Bavarian cellars long before refrigeration and later exported worldwide.
Other breweries in Germany
Aecht Schlenkerla · Augustiner · Ayinger · Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus · Berliner Kindl · Bitburger Brauerei · Cölner Hofbräu Früh · Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.