Hindenburgstraße 9
95445 Bayreuth
Tel.: +49 92143419
www.bayreuther-bier.de
Bayreuth Station 1.3 km/regular bus service
Opening hours:
In warm weather months
Tuesday to Sunday 16:00 to 21:00
Built in 1889 next to the Bayreuther Bierbrauerei, the Herzogkeller is atop the catacombs which were used to cool beer at the time. It was a popular venue but was closed during the financial crisis of the 1920s. It was used as a warehouse until being extensively renovated and reopened in 1989 as a 100th anniversary celebration. The interior was beautifully done in a rustic traditional way with old black & white photos of the brewery and its various pubs on display. It seats 350 people and is used for events.
a lovely restoration
As the only true Bierkeller in Bayreuth, it is also the largest with seating for 1000 people. It is also run simply with self-service beer and food as befitting its rustic setting. The entrance in particular is from another time.
some Linden trees at atmosphere & shade
I arrived around opening on a cooler than normal late summer day to find only a few tables occupied. I sat outside as it was pleasant enough after what had been hotter than usual weather. There seems to be no in-between in the summer of 2024. I started with the Bayreuther Hell as I’d not had it on tap. They have a limited menu of mostly Brotzeit and I opted for Dosen Wurst, which wasn’t quite what I’d anticipated. When I asked for it as Dosenfleisch, I got a perplexed look but probably not quite as discerning as when the guy at the counter produced an actual can. I knew it would come out of a can but I know it more as a roast that is preserved that way rather than a lunch meat. It was good but as with many things in the food world, surprises affect your perception. I got their Zwick’l Kellerbier to help wash down the fair portion. Being full and time-constricted kept me from their Landbier Dunkel, which I’d had a few years earlier at Liebesbier up the road.
a fair Brotzeit at Herzogkeller
The canned lunch meat was good quality if not what I had been looking for. I was happy I’d not opted for one of my favorites, Kalterbraten, as I’d seen it in a glass case and it looked a little sad. It looked like good quality and certainly the real rustic McCoy but being set out like that surely dries it out. I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to return but I’d certainly go if in town and looking for an outdoor beer experience. I guess with their full service Liebesbier just up the road, this is seen more as a true Bierkeller and not one to supply major meals, which is certainly fair enough and gives an entirely different kind of experience. If you are in town and looking for a Bierkeller experience, this is certainly the best place to go.
Beers on tap: Aktien Zwick’l Kellerbier, Aktien Landbier Dunkel, Bayeuther Brauhaus Hell, Maisel’s Original Weisse. Assorted Maisel’s Weissbiers.
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