Munich, Germany
Paulaner
Munich brewery descended from a monastic community whose strong Lenten beer is the origin of the doppelbock category.
The Paulaner friars brewed a strong beer for the Lenten fast, and its descendant Salvator gave the doppelbock category both its style and its naming convention — the reason so many doppelbocks end in "-ator".
Why it matters
The origin of doppelbock and of its distinctive naming convention, and one of the six breweries entitled to serve at the Munich Oktoberfest.
Details
| Founded | 1634 |
|---|---|
| Where | Munich, Germany |
| Status | Operating |
Reference beers
- Paulaner Hefe-Weißbier Naturtrüb
One of the two Bavarian wheat beers a reader outside Germany is most likely to be able to buy, and the more banana-forward of them.
- Paulaner Salvator
The original doppelbock, descended from the strong beer brewed by Paulaner friars for the Lenten fast.
- Paulaner Weißbier Alkoholfrei
The alcohol-free version of the brewery’s wheat beer, and an example of the style that de-alcoholises best.
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Styles it is associated with
- Doppelbock — Intensely malty strong lager, dense with bread crust, caramel and dark fruit, and remarkably clean for its strength.
- Munich Helles — Bavaria’s everyday pale lager: soft, bready and malt-forward, with just enough hop to balance and nothing to distract.
- Weissbier — Bavarian wheat beer defined by its yeast: pronounced banana and clove over a soft, cloudy, highly carbonated body.
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.