What could be more enchanting than Bamberg’s cathedrals, castles and rose garden? For some visitors, it is beer.
Smoked beer from Bamberg
Bamberg’s historic breweries brew more than 50 types of beer, especially the regional Rauchbier specialty (smoked beer). An acquired taste for the uninitiated, this dark beer tastes like it sounds, like smoke. This is due to the unusual malting process where the beans are smoked over a beech wood fire that is still present when it is transformed into beer.
Other Franconian beer specialties
If you prefer a lighter taste, Bamberg’s sheer number of microbreweries frees you from the regional limitations of many other German cities. Where the North generally offers pilsners and Bavaria has a lot of Hefeweizens, there is a beer of all flavors in Bamberg. However, traditional breweries generally only offer two to three beers on tap at a time, so try a beer seidla (0.5 liter)
- Kellerbier – unfiltered and hopped, usually served straight from the barrel in stone mugs.
- Zwickelbier – Similar to Kellerbier, the difference is that the beer was taken from a small tap in the maturation tank and it appears blurry.
- Vollbier – Maltose with a color ranging from light gold to almost black.
- Bockbier: a seasonal beer that appears in the fall.
- Fastenbier – Only offered during Lent, this beer offers a blend of light and smoky malt.
- Schwarzbier (Stout) – A dark, malty lager that ferments to the bottom.
Bamberg beer cellar
While each brewery offers a different atmosphere, expect to drink in the region’s Bierkeller (beer cellar). The name is a bit of a misnomer as Bamberg Bierkellers actually look more like beer gardens. Sit ‘auf dem Keller’ on the hillside outdoor seating that takes advantage of views of the picturesque town and river, while the brewing and storage rooms are kept cool at Keller .
In addition to the breweries in the city, there are an estimated 300 breweries in neighboring cities. Few places in the world have the density of breweries found around Bamberg. So get out there, drink and explore.
Bamberg Brewery Tour
The Bamberg Tourist Office (Geyerswörthstraße 5, 96047 Bamberg; Tel: +49 (0) 951 / 2976-2005) offers a map to tour the different breweries, or you can simply follow our recommendations.
Schlenkerla Brewery
Bamberg’s most famous brewery is this Brauerei dating back to 1405. Located in the heart of Alstadt , this charming half-timbered building houses a traditional cellar atmosphere, simple service, and the famous Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier with a bacon finish.
Address: Dominikanerstraße 6, 96049 Bamberg.
Special cellar
This quiet and expansive biergarten offers some of the best views in all of Bamberg from Kaiserdom to Kloster Michaelsberg . Rustic accommodation inside keeps beer drinkers cozy in winter.
Dirección: Sternwartstraße, 96049 Bamberg.
Ambräusianum Brew Pub
The new brewery offers a modern brewery atmosphere with jubilant crowds flooding the main street. But don’t think it’s all about the party, the prominent copper beer kettles make it clear that beer is the star.
Address: Dominikanerstraße 10, 96049 Bamberg.
Mahrs Bräu Bamberg
Dating back to 1670 and family-owned since 1880, this brewery is known for its Mages’s Ungespundet-hefetrüb . The name is bite, almost as tasty as the unfiltered, smooth and malty beer it represents. Easy to order, just ask for “u” (ooh)!
Dirección : Wunderburg 10, 96050 Bamberg
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Klosterbraurei Bamberg
Located on the hillside in the mill district, this is the oldest brewery in Bamberg (since 1533). Things are traditionally done in a simple environment, but there is little need for accessories with such good beer and a view of the Regnitz.
Dirección : Upper Mill Bridge 1-3. 96049 Bamberg
Fässla Brewery
Opening in the first year of peace after the Thirty Years’ War in 1649, enter through the giant doors of the factory into a lush kindergarten . Although surrounded by greenery, two city murals still invite Bamberg to enter. Inside, the wood-paneled walls offer Franconian specialties and a hotel to rest your drunken head in if you’ve had one too much.
Dirección: Obere Königstraße 21, 96052 Bamberg.
