Obere Sandstr. 24
96049 Bamberg
website (restaurant/pub)
website (brewery)
Bamberg station 2km
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Wednesday 17:00 to 00:00
Thursday to Saturday 12:00 to 02:00
Sunday & Monday closed
Output: ?? HL
History
The location where the current Ahörnla Braugastätte stands has a very long and storied past, reaching back to 1366 according to their website. Though it wasn’t always a brewery, it appears from records a series of brewers and bakers called it home. The popular inn went through a not untypical wartime closure in 1944 but resumed in 1950 only to lose its brewery designation in 1961 when brewing moved elsewhere. It continued as a popular enough restaurant and later went through a series of owners and guises before becoming vacant in 2007. It sadly went into disrepair.
renovated but retaining a traditional air
Reopening & brewing resumed
Thankfully in 2013, new owners stepped in and completely renovated the old decaying building on Sandstrasse to its former glory and opened as a restaurant by the end of the same year. They initially had a brand beer contract-brewed for them by Mahrs-Bräu but as of 2021, they’ve started brewing in an adjacent building, reportedly according to old recipes.
the new Ahörnla beers roll out in 2021
The beer
I’d stopped in for a nightcap in 2019 and found the garish red interior lighting a bit over the top. The then Mahrs-Bräu beer was okay but nothing to particularly seek out in a brewery rich town like Bamberg. I wrote it off as a one-time stop but when I heard they’d started brewing themselves, I figured I would give it another shot. I stopped in late afternoon and sat outside, enjoying the experience much more. Even so, the interior looked nicer in natural lighting. I tried both the Ahörnla Lagerbier and Sand Hell and found them both well-made enough if lacking any particular character. If your time in town is tight, I don’t think it’s a must visit place but if you’ve got the time, it’s worth checking out and having a beer. Personally, I’d go for the Lagerbier, a serviceable Rotbier.
Ahörnla aBils & Bockbier
Stopped in for a very quick Pils on my way to the train station. ABils is a Pils in dialect and that is what this is. I initially thought it was better than the other two regular beers but after half a pint, I decided to leave it and get to the station in time to pick up my wife. Yes, she’s worth it and no, this beer wasn’t. I also stopped in in November to sample their Bockbier and this one fared much better. I’d say it’s been my favorite so far. Back in February 2025 for their Holy Smoke, as well.
Bockbieranstich 2025
I stopped in to resample their Bockbier in 2024 and it was so bad, I only drank a third of it. The bartender was surprised when both I and a friend walked away from nearly full glasses. I went to their Bockbieranstich in 2025 not expecting it to be very good but hopeful it would be better. It sure was, actually as good if not better than the first time I had it. According to a friend who spoke with the brewer, they were embarrassed about it the previous year.
early at the Ahörnla Bockbieranstich
Beers: Ahörnla Lagerbier, Sand Hell, aBils
Beer calendar:
Bockbier in autumn
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