Bamberg Beer: A Guide to Local Breweries has been compiled over the course of my travels here since 1997. It’s updated regularly as I’ve lived in Munich since 2010 and now have a place in Bamberg as well. Living in Bamberg allows me to keep a close pulse on the Bamberg beer scene as it evolves over time.
You’re heading to Bamberg, the beer Mecca. You’ve been obsessing on this trip for years. There’s only one problem. In the scheme of a European trip, your significant other seems to think Bamberg only warrants two days. You’ve tried to explain that there’s more to Bamberg than beer and maybe mentioned as an aside that there are more than ten breweries, all to no avail. They see a cathedral, a cool looking half-timbered town hall on a bridge and a few more meals of pork than they’d maybe care to eat. So, you are going to have to make some choices. No, you really don’t want to be single again. You’re going to have to pick your beers wisely. The Pocket Guide to the Best Beer & Breweries in Bamberg will help you do just that.
What’s the best beer in Bamberg?
The best beer in Bamberg is the one you like best. Having a good idea of what to try will help you find it. Bamberg’s beer scene is varied. So there are many styles to choose from. Whether you like a light crisp Pils, a dark Schwarzbier, an amber Kellerbier or the smoke beer the town is renowned for, there’s something for you.
Bamberg beer & breweries:
All of this information is available in much more detail on Beerwanderers. So, to keep this guide compact and easier to use while there, I will use links in case you need more information than a list. Contact info/opening hours/links to brewery websites/food/tasting notes are conveniently there. The focus is on the best beers and breweries in Bamberg, but it will include some beers not to miss from the countryside if you have time.
What are Bamberg’s best breweries?
Two smoke beer breweries not to miss
Schlenkerla: This one is obvious and even non-beer people will stop here to see a museum piece pub. While there is much more to Bamberg than smoke(d) beer, it is the town’s calling card and must be sampled even by those who normally don’t like smoky things. Their Rauchbier is the most famous in the world and their flagship Märzen is the one beer you have to try in Bamberg. Honorable mention goes to any seasonal they have on: Fastenbier, Kräusen, Urbock and Eiche. Bonus points for serving all of their draft beer gravity dispense from wooden barrels. They are the last brewery in town to do so. (They have recently introduced some new beers so there are some keg beers but generally the main beers are still from the real barrel.)
Brauerei Spezial: The other smoke beer brewery. They have more than their share of fans who will claim they’re even better than Schlenkerla. By all means, their Lagerbier is one of the very best beers in town. Honorable mention to their non-smoky Spezial U. This latter choice is good if you just hate smoky things. If there in winter, don’t miss their Bock. My personal favorite is their Märzen, especially when served unfiltered. Their beers are also available with great views at the Spezialkeller. The beers, however, aren’t generally in as good form. It’s still worth heading up the hill if the weather is warm and fine.
Two great ones in the Wunderburg area
Mahrs-Bräu: Though Mahrs has dropped quite a few notches in recent years, it’s still not only a great atmospheric pub but also has a large assortment of beers including the at one time town favorite “U.” It used to be gravity dispensed and now can be fizzy depending on who is pouring it. It’s still worth checking out. Honorable mention: Pils and seasonal Bock.
Brauerei Keesmann: Located across the road from Mahrs, it’s silly to make your way out to the Wunderburg and not stop in for Franconia’s most renowned Pils. The Herren Pils is a can’t miss. Honorable mention: Sternla and seasonal Bock.
A must for dark beer lovers
Klosterbräu: Though bought up by Kaiserdom, many feel the oldest brewery in Bamberg is now even better. Quality does seem more consistent but they have let some beers fall by the wayside. That said, their Schwärzla is a can’t miss for dark beer lovers. Honorable mention: Braunbier and seasonal Bock. It hasn’t been brewed in a few years but if you ever see the Schwärzlabock, by all means have it.
Bamberg local beer faves
Brauerei Fäßla: Directly across the street from Spezial, this everyman’s pub is a favorite with locals and offers fans of non-smoky beer a nice reprieve. Many like their Gold-Pils best but the more Franconian beer is their Lagerbier. My favorite beer is their Zwergla but unfortunately, it’s not on tap at the pub. It is, however, on tap at their Fäßla Keller. Look for their hearty Doppelbock “Bambergator” occasionally from the barrel in winter.
Brauerei Greifenklau: It’s a bit of a climb to get up to this locals’ favorite but if you go in warm weather, the Biergarten out back has a wonderful view of the Altenburg. Most drink the Lagerbier but if you see the Greif-R, it’s a nice lightly smoky treat. Honorable mention: seasonal Bock.
Newer breweries in Bamberg:
There are quite a few newer breweries in Bamberg (full list here). If you have the time, it’s tough to not want to check them out. I’ve done just that and I would have to say that Brauhaus zum Sternla is the best of the lot, offering some traditional German style brews. They are not particularly Franconian but well-made none-the-less. Their Export was my favorite.
One former brewery worth trying
Wilde Rose: While no longer a brewery, Wilde Rose is most renowned for the Keller on the Stephansberg but their original location pub is a great eatery. Their Kellerbier is brewed by Brauerei Trunk and is lovely. It’s actually better than Trunk’s own Kellerbier, disproving that contract brewed beers can’t be good.
There’s about 250 breweries surrounding Bamberg, which is what really makes it the Beer Mecca it is. You may not have time to head into the countryside but there are some pubs in town which thankfully serve up some of the finest.
What are Bamberg’s best Pubs & Restaurants:
Der Pelikan is conveniently located and has an eclectic menu if tired of Franconian fare. The atmospheric pub and cute Biergarten feature Zehendner Export on tap along with another rotating beer like the rare Heckel-Bier.
Stöhrenkeller was one of the original cellars used for beer storage and though the outside seating has been greatly reduced, it remains a great atmospheric spot for a beer like the standard Keesmann Herren Pils, rotating Gänstaller beer or guest regional beer like Griess Kellerbier.
Graser Wirtshaus is the new joint venture of the Henrii restaurant group and Schlenkerla. It’s a tad more upscale with some innovative food choices. The real draw for beer lovers is a new line-up of non-smoke beers brewed at Schlenkerla, under the umbrella brand of Konrad Graser. The Fränkisches Pils, Felsenkellerbier, Helles Lagerbier and Braunbier are currently only available on tap at this location.
Eckerts is an upmarket riverside restaurant with a view, all day brunch and a handful of excellently chosen draft beers. It’s one of the only places to regularly find Gänstaller beers on tap, such as their noted Zwickel Pils and a brewed for the restaurant Kellerbier.
Where can you find gravity dispense beer in Bamberg?
Beers from the barrel, dispensed by gravity with no added CO2, are sadly becoming a rarity in a town. Schlenkerla is now the only brewery doing it on an everyday basis. Another options is swinging by the quirky pub Galerie am Stephansberg for beers from Brauerei Sauer or Kleebaum Bier. On weekends, Rotenschild has Zehendner Lagerbier, a regional favorite flowing from the barrel too.
Heading to Bamberg in the warmer months, don’t leave home without A Guide to Bamberg’s Best Beergardens.
Bamberg Beer Map:
I hope The Pocket Guide to Bamberg’s Best Beer helps make your trip to the Beer Mecca a great one. If it’s helped, please consider buying me a beer 🍺!
Not your first time in Bamberg & have some extra days to explore: The Pocket Guide to the Best Bamberg Countryside Breweries.
If going to Bamberg during Bock season, check out The Bocks of Bamberg.
Discover even more places & find everything you need to know with The Pocket Guide to Franconian Beer.
In Franconia, the food is as good as the beer: The ABCs of Franconian Food.
Prefer a guided beer experience in Bamberg.
Nice sum up, Rich!
Thanks, Kevin. It was a long time coming. Hope to catch up this summer!
W
What a. great synopsis for the traveler.
Thanks, Don. Hopefully soon you will be one of those experiencing Bamberg soon.
Thanks, Don. I hope it’s something you can use one day too.
Hi Rich. Thanks a million for this fantastic resource. I am going to Bamberg for my third time soon and always find loads of great info on your site. Keep up the good work. I suppose someone has to put in the hard yards!
Thanks for the positive feedback, Owen. It’s always good to hear my work is appreciated and coming in handy! Have a great trip to Bamberg.
Hallo Rich, sind das este mal un Bamberg. Vielen Danke fue alles Ratschläge. Grüsse aus Perú.
Thanks for the positive feedback, Walter and I’m glad my work on the site has been helpful on your first trip to Bamberg. Keep enjoying!
No mention of my favourite german styke ; dunkel – is this not a thing in Franconia or do they do any (unsmoked) dunkels?
There are some areas of Franconia where Dunkel is popular, some where it’s even the only style but would say in the latter case, they are quite different from the Munich variation most are familiar with. Check out Leups in my Breweries section. Closer to Munich in style would be Oberailsfeld. Unfortunately, Bamberg is not big on them. The best is probably Mahrs but it’s only in bottle form, even at their pub. The dark beer at Klosterbräu as you’ve obviously read is a Schwarzbier so not really what you are looking for, though you should try it. Oh, also check out Dörfleins, just outside of Bamberg for perhaps the best in the more classical style in the area. Hope that helps.