The short version: German beer is governed by a 1516 purity law and split by region. Bavaria drinks pale Helles and cloudy wheat Weissbier; the north drinks crisp Pils; Cologne pours only Kölsch in little glasses; and autumn brings the Märzen of Oktoberfest and the strong Bocks. Here is what to order where.
At a glance
| Style | Where | Taste |
|---|---|---|
| Helles | Munich / Bavaria | Pale, malty-balanced, easy lager |
| Weissbier / Hefeweizen | Bavaria | Cloudy wheat, banana and clove |
| Pils | North Germany | Crisp, dry, hoppy, golden |
| Kölsch | Cologne | Pale, delicate – served in 0.2L glasses |
| Märzen / Festbier | Oktoberfest | Amber, malty, stronger |
| Bock / Doppelbock | Everywhere | Strong, rich, malty |
The purity law
German brewing is shaped by the Reinheitsgebot, the 1516 “purity law” that allowed only water, malt, hops and (later) yeast. It has kept the country’s beer clean, malt-driven and regional rather than experimental – which is why each city has its own classic style worth seeking out rather than a sea of the same lager.
The Bavarian styles: Helles, Weissbier, Dunkel
In Munich and Bavaria the everyday drink is Helles, a pale lager that is soft, malty and balanced rather than bitter, drunk by the litre Mass in the beer halls and gardens. The other Bavarian icon is Weissbier (Hefeweizen), a cloudy wheat beer with a big fluffy head and flavours of banana and clove from the yeast – traditionally drunk with the morning Weisswurst. Dunkel is the dark, malty lager version. These are the beers of Oktoberfest and the beer gardens.
Kölsch, Pils and the strong ones
Cologne is a world of its own: Kölsch is a pale, delicate, top-fermented beer served only in slim 0.2-litre glasses that a waiter keeps swapping until you cap your glass. The north prefers Pils, crisper, drier and hoppier than the southern lagers. And across the country the strong Bock and Doppelbock appear in the cold months, while Berliner Weisse (a sour wheat beer served with syrup) and Bamberg’s smoky Rauchbier are the great oddities.
To drink your way through these styles in person, browse our beer and pub tours across Europe.
Frequently asked questions
What beer should I order in Munich?
A Helles (pale lager) is the everyday choice, or a cloudy Weissbier; both come by the litre in the beer halls and gardens.
What is Kölsch?
Cologne’s own pale, top-fermented beer, served in small 0.2-litre glasses kept coming until you signal you’re done. It exists only in and around Cologne.
What is the beer of Oktoberfest?
A special strong Festbier or Märzen, brewed by Munich’s six breweries. See our Munich beer tours.
Where to drink German beer
Drink it on our Munich beer & Oktoberfest tours and in the brauhaus taverns on our Cologne page, or plan the trip from the Germany hub.
