Beer in Germany - 6 German experiences with a beer theme

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | How to experience beer in Germany in the best way? Germany has a strong beer culture and there are lots of local breweries, cozy pubs and nice "beer gardens". But if you want a slightly more special beer experience, what do you do? Here are 6 tips for experiences in Germany that are all about beer.

Oil in Germany

Germany is one of the world's largest beer countries with a widespread beer culture and lots of small and large breweries around the country. In total, there are around 1300 breweries and around 5000 beer brands.

The best-selling beer brand is Oettinger, which is mostly sold domestically. At the Swedish Systembolaget, you can find brands such as Beck's, Erdinger, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Störtebeker.

Beer in Germany - a long history

One of the reasons why beer is so big in Germany is that it has such a long history in the country. Here are some interesting dates:

• 1040 - The Weihenstephan brewery, which is probably Germany's oldest brewery, opened. The brewery has been in continuous operation ever since.
• 1516 - The Bavarian Duke Wilhem IV created the 'Reinheitsgebot' to ensure the quality of beer. The rules required beer to contain only the classic ingredients of hops, malt, yeast and water. Today, however, some other additives are allowed.
• 1810 - The very first version of the Oktoberfest took place in Munich.

Beer in Germany can be experienced in many different ways

Beer in Germany can be experienced in many different ways. In collaboration with the German Tourist Board, we can now present 6 exciting experiences in the name of beer.

1. Take a brewing course at the Stebner private brewery in Braunschweig.

At Stebner Privatbraueri, beer is brewed according to old traditional methods. They brew 12 different types of beer, ranging from lager to ale. Here you can not only look in and hear about the noble art of brewing, but you can also take a brewing course yourself. A course takes around 5 hours and there are a maximum of 8 people. The language is usually German, but if you ask, you can also take the course in English. The price is EUR 90 per person.

Not far from the brewery, you can also take the opportunity to discover the Herrenhauser Garden, a baroque garden that looks stunning in pictures. You can also discover both the city of Hannover and the town of Celle, which is not far from here.

• Address: Bevenroder Strasse 150, Braunschweig
• Pitches in the neighbourhood: Bürgerpark (Theodor Heuss Strasse 10, Braunschweig) and Wasserwelt Braunschweig (Am Schützenplatz 1, Braunschweig).
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Camping Paradiessee in Wendeburg-Meerdorf (Kieswerk 1, Wendeburg - OT. Meerdorf, Waldsee Camping (Ohestrasse 21, Vechelde/Bettmar) and Blauer See (Am Blauen See 119, Garbsen).

2. Experience the "beer garden" Forstbaumschule in Kiel.

The Forstbaumschule is the largest 'beer garden' (Biergarten) in northern Germany, located in a large beautiful park near the sea. Along with the beer, you can order traditional North German food, both fish and meat.

When visiting the Forsbaumschule, you can of course take the opportunity to discover Kiel. Among other things, it may be interesting to visit the Kiel Maritime Museum, which is located in an old fish auction hall and where you can learn about Kiel's history as a port city.

If you want to take an excursion, we can also recommend a visit to Haitabu Viking Museumwhich is about 40 minutes from Kiel.

• Address: Düvelsbeker Weg 46, Kiel
• Read more: Forest tree nursery
• Pitches in the neighbourhood: Citti Kiel (Mühlendamm 1, Kiel)
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Campingplatz Kiel-Falckenstein (Palisadenweg 171, Kiel) and Naturcampingplats Wrohe am Westensee (Seeweg 22, Westensee / Wrohe).

3. Check in at the beer hotel der Waldkater between Hannover and Bielefeld.

Hotel Waldkater is a great place to stay if you want a quiet and relaxing weekend. The hotel is beautifully located and you can also enjoy beer brewed at the hotel. If you wish, you can end the day with a unique 5-course menu accompanied by beer.

After your visit to the beer hotel Der Waldkater, you can take the opportunity to discover Hanover or Bielefeld. In Oerlinghausen, south of Bielefeld, there is an open-air archaeological museum that is a great place to visit when the weather is nice. If the weather is less favourable, the Sprengel Museum in Hanover offers exciting contemporary art.

• Address: Waldkaterallee 27, Rinteln
• Pitches in the neighbourhood: Rinteln campervan site - Weserufer (Dankerser Strasse, Rinteln)
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Freizeitpark Doktorsee (Am Doktorsee 8, Rinteln) and Campingplatz Hameln (Uferstrasse 80, Hameln).

4. Hike the "13 breweries trail" in Bamberg

The German region of Franconia offers beautiful scenery for hiking, as well as many small breweries worth visiting. The so-called '13 Brewery Trail' connects 13 traditional breweries, allowing you to stop along the way and enjoy a cold beer. The trail is 34 kilometres long in total and is relatively easy to walk with good shoes.

You can also take the opportunity to discover Bamberg or go to Nuremberg, which is just under an hour south of Bamberg by car. Nuremberg is known for its old town, including the large cathedral and the Alte Rathaus town hall.

• Address: You start at Kath. Kirche Mariä Himmelfahrt (Hauptstrasse 24, Memmelsdorf)
• Read more: Bamberg.info
• Pitches in the neighbourhood: Motorhome site Heinrichsdamm (Rhein-Main-Donau-Damm, Bamberg)
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Campingplatz Insel (Am Campingpl. 1, Bamberg), Campingplatz Ebing (Ringstrasse 5, Ebing, Rattelsdorf) and Campingplatz Sand am Main.

5. Join a building tour in Berlin

The "Berlin Craft Beer Tour" is for those who enjoy good locally produced beer. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to try beers from several of Berlin's best breweries, while learning more about the noble art of brewing.

The tours are currently given on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 19:00 and a tour takes about 3-4 hours. Included in the tour, which costs €46.25/person, are at least 5 beer tastings, a hot snack and expert guidance. Non-alcoholic and gluten-free options are available for those who wish.

If you want to see more during your trip, you can go to Potsdam, located on the outskirts of Berlin. There are several beautiful palaces and gardens, the most impressive of which is Sanssouci Palace.

• Address: Meeting point at Warschauer Str. U-Bahn Station  
• Read more: Berlin Craft Beer Experience
• Pitches in the neighbourhood: Wohnmobilstellplatz & Biergarten Köpenicker Hof, Parking P2 am Tempelhofer Flughafen (Werner-Loebermann-Weg, Berlin) and Parking 3 Hammarskjöldplatz (Masurenallee, Berlin).
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Campingplatz Berlin-Wannsee (Albrechts -Teerofen 33-35, Berlin) and Campingplatz Berlin Kladow (Krampnitzer Weg 111-117, Berlin).

6. Try the beer spa at Kummerower Hof in Neuzelle.

Known as the world's first beer bath, Kummerower Hof offers a wonderful sauna and bathing complex. Here you can also enjoy a traditional German meal and stay overnight in one of the small cottages.

While you're in Neuzelle, be sure to also check out Monastery of Neuzelle, with its stunning ornate church. If you haven't had enough beer, you can buy more at the monastery brewery. For nature experiences, head to the Cottbus Ostsee, the largest artificial lake in Germany.

• Address: Kummroer Str. 41, Neuzelle
• Read more: Kummerower Hof
• Pitches in the neighbourhood: Zum Zickenzeller restaurant (Bahnhofstrasse 27, Neuzelle)
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Caravan Kurcamping (Vetschauer Str. 1a Burg-Spreewald) and Waldcamping am Grossee (Teerofen 9A, Tauer).

How do you want to experience beer in Germany?

Which "beer experience" are you most excited about? Do you have any other tips on how to best experience beer in Germany?

More experiences in Germany

Looking for more German experiences? Here you will find more tips for those who like food, drink, culture and festivals:

• Oktoberfest
• Wine festivals in Germany
• Gifts in Germany
• Festivals in Germany
• German specialities in different regions

Top image in the post: Draft beer © FrankenTourismus/Bamberg TKS / Andreas Hub