As a gateway town to Franconia and transit hub, Nuremberg is almost unavoidable. As an architectural and historical marvel, it’s an understandable destination in its own right. WWII tours abound and its Christmas markets are world renowned. While those with a purely beery bent will undoubtedly choose Bamberg over its rival, those with more time or returning for an umpteenth visit might want to consider Franconia’s biggest city for a cosmopolitan reprieve. This is served up with Old World flair, the cobblestone streets and hilltop castle rarely disappoint. There’s more than enough beer in the town itself to keep you from getting parched but wandering outside the city limits will bring you to some of the best countryside breweries in Franconia.
stunning Nuremberg
Details:
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 on these linked pages. I re-checked the opening hours in August 2024 but it’s best to reconfirm these times on the breweries’ websites or social media pages. When in doubt and if going to a village which is hard to reach, it’s always best to call.
trains, buses & automobiles
Public transportation:
Before listing my suggestions for Nuremberg area countryside breweries, I would like to suggest your having a look at my how to get around pages below. The German transportation Apps (DB & VGN) are invaluable for not only your planning but also purchasing tickets. They are not data or battery hogs and are about as non-obtrusive as you will find.
The list of breweries will be split into three groups, determined solely by me as to the ease to reach them. (Please note, this post is about reaching the destinations without a car and with minimal walking. If you’re not using public transportation, you can disregard this grouping and look at it as one big list.) Within each group, I will list them by town/village as occasionally there is more than one venue in a given village. Also, the name of the village will be important in finding your transportation route. I’m not providing bus routes or numbers as they change. With Nuremberg as a start point and the destination provided, you can easily sort it out with the VGN App.
Groupings:
I will do it alphabetically rather than by my personal favorites. If it’s listed here, you can assume I like it. I am also only listing places that I have personally been to as I can’t recommend something I haven’t actually experienced. The links will go to my reviews of the places which includes beers I’ve had along with food. Though my focus is beer, food plays a big part in my beery travels. The list grew much larger than I’d originally envisioned with 30 towns listed. So, I’ve decided to put an asterisk next to ones I would recommend more highly. That said, I do feel all of them deserve mention, even those which have perhaps dropped in quality since I first visited them.
some cozy places
1) Easy Peasy:
Places which you have no excuse for not checking out providing you have time. Travel time is minimal with generally no connections involved. Perhaps most importantly, they have friendly opening hours which work with public transportation.
Bamberg * (not only a destination in itself but the destination)
Bayreuth (three breweries)
Buttenheim (two breweries and two Bierkellers)
Forchheim * (many breweries, Bierkellers, pubs/a destination in itself)
Gräfenberg * (two breweries & one Biergarten)
Hersbruck
Hirschaid (brewery & Bierkeller)
Pegnitz (listed primarily due to its being a hub for many other listings)
2) A little more elbow grease:
Places where you need to make multiple connections or opening hours aren’t so friendly or both. You can get there but it takes some forethought, especially if you want to get back the same day. You might have to do some walking, especially if you don’t plan well.
Uehfeld * (two breweries & one Bierkeller)
3) Not easy, the best things rarely are:
Places which require a lot of planning due to very limited public transportation. Some require an overnight stay due to that or limited opening hours. Generally speaking, it’s well worth staying in these areas and you won’t regret it when drinking at any one of them, knowing you are sleeping nearby. Some might otherwise require some walking to get back to your starting point. In this particular group are some which used to have regular bus routes but not require calling ahead to arrange for the bus to operate.
Büchenbach (Pegnitz) (Sadly closed on August 31, 2025)
Leutershausen (Jochsberg)
Lindenhardt
I hope The Pocket Guide to Nuremberg’s Best Countryside Breweries helps make your trip to Nuremberg and Franconia a great one. If it’s helped you find some new places, please consider buying me a beer 🍺!
The Pocket Guide to Nuremberg’s Best Beer will help you while staying in town.
Going to Bamberg for the first time? Don’t leave home without The Pocket Guide to Bamberg’s Best Beer.
Interactive map of Franconian breweries:
Heading to Bamberg in the warmer months, don’t leave home without A Guide to Bamberg’s Best Beergardens.
Going to the Bierkeller is a true Franconian cultural institution. Which are the best? Check out the Franconian Bierkeller Guide.
If going to Bamberg during Bock season, check out The Bocks of Bamberg.
Want to know more about beer styles in Franconia? Enjoy ABeerC.
In Franconia, the food is as good as the beer: The ABCs of Franconian Food.
Haven’t done the Fünf Seidla Steig®? The most famous of beer hikes just outside Nuremberg? Join me for this great beer hike to five countryside breweries outside Nuremberg. Book online now!
Prefer a different guided beer experience into the Franconian countryside:
Well Rich, I have skimmed almost all of the places you describe and what a wonderful and compelling travelogue. Even if there were no beer, the history and scenery and food are amazing. This reaffirms my commitment to persuade Janet to go back to Europe again next year and I know where we will head. Of course, the beer seals the deal!
Thanks, Don. I saw you’ve checking out many of the links. This is just Nürnberg too so there’s really a lot to see, and as you’ve pointed out, it’s not just beer. Of course, beer is great for after the sight seeing. I’m looking forward to finally meeting up and hopefully showing you a beer hike.
Good to hear, Jadi. Glad you can count yourself as converted.