Top 10 Best German Beers of All Time

Munich's most beloved beer, brewed by Augustiner-Brau, the city's oldest independent brewery founded in 1328 near the Augustinian monastery. This golden helles lager is known for its exceptionally soft malt character and delicate hop bitterness, outselling all other beers in Munich's beer gardens and halls.

The original doppelbock, first brewed by Paulaner monks in Munich around 1634 as liquid bread for Lenten fasting. At 7.9% ABV, Salvator delivers rich malty sweetness with notes of dark fruit and caramel. Every doppelbock ending in "-ator" pays homage to this pioneering strong lager.

Produced by the world's largest wheat beer brewery in Erding, Bavaria, Erdinger has been crafting weissbier since 1886. Their flagship hefeweizen undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, producing a naturally cloudy pour with vibrant carbonation and a harmonious blend of yeast-driven spice and citrus.

Germany's best-selling pilsner, brewed in the Eifel region town of Bitburg since 1817. Bitburger pioneered the premium pilsner segment with its crisp, clean profile and pronounced Hallertau hop bitterness. The brewery produces over 100 million liters annually and is the official beer partner of the German national football team.

A world-class doppelbock from the Ayinger Brewery in the village of Aying, just south of Munich, brewing since 1878. Celebrator is a multiple gold medal winner at the World Beer Cup, pouring a deep mahogany with complex layers of toffee, dark chocolate, and dried fruit balanced by a surprisingly smooth finish.

The world's original wheat doppelbock, brewed by the Schneider brewery in Kelheim, Bavaria since 1907. At 8.2% ABV, Aventinus combines the fruity, spicy character of a weissbier with the malty depth of a doppelbock, producing rich plum and banana flavors that develop beautifully with aging.

The beer that started Oktoberfest tradition, brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau in Munich since 1397. In 1872, Spaten brewed the first amber Marzen-style Oktoberfest beer, defining the style for over a century. Their modern festbier is a smooth, golden lager with gentle malt sweetness, served in the iconic Ochsenbraterei tent.

The quintessential Kolsch beer, brewed by the Colner Hofbrau Fruh brewery near Cologne Cathedral since 1904. Kolsch holds a protected geographical indication, legally restricting production to breweries within Cologne. This pale, top-fermented ale is served in traditional 200ml Stange glasses by roaming Kobes waiters.

A cult-favorite pilsner from the Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus in the Black Forest, brewing since 1791. The distinctive stumpy 330ml bottle featuring the Biergit blonde mascot has become an icon of German beer culture. Brewed with local Black Forest spring water, it delivers a crisp, herbal pilsner with a devoted following.

Munich's most beloved beer, brewed by Augustiner-Brau, the city's oldest independent brewery founded in 1328 near the Augustinian monastery. This golden helles lager is known for its exceptionally soft malt character and delicate hop bitterness, outselling all other beers in Munich's beer gardens and halls.

The original doppelbock, first brewed by Paulaner monks in Munich around 1634 as liquid bread for Lenten fasting. At 7.9% ABV, Salvator delivers rich malty sweetness with notes of dark fruit and caramel. Every doppelbock ending in "-ator" pays homage to this pioneering strong lager.

Produced by the world's largest wheat beer brewery in Erding, Bavaria, Erdinger has been crafting weissbier since 1886. Their flagship hefeweizen undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, producing a naturally cloudy pour with vibrant carbonation and a harmonious blend of yeast-driven spice and citrus.

Germany's best-selling pilsner, brewed in the Eifel region town of Bitburg since 1817. Bitburger pioneered the premium pilsner segment with its crisp, clean profile and pronounced Hallertau hop bitterness. The brewery produces over 100 million liters annually and is the official beer partner of the German national football team.

A world-class doppelbock from the Ayinger Brewery in the village of Aying, just south of Munich, brewing since 1878. Celebrator is a multiple gold medal winner at the World Beer Cup, pouring a deep mahogany with complex layers of toffee, dark chocolate, and dried fruit balanced by a surprisingly smooth finish.

The world's original wheat doppelbock, brewed by the Schneider brewery in Kelheim, Bavaria since 1907. At 8.2% ABV, Aventinus combines the fruity, spicy character of a weissbier with the malty depth of a doppelbock, producing rich plum and banana flavors that develop beautifully with aging.

The beer that started Oktoberfest tradition, brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau in Munich since 1397. In 1872, Spaten brewed the first amber Marzen-style Oktoberfest beer, defining the style for over a century. Their modern festbier is a smooth, golden lager with gentle malt sweetness, served in the iconic Ochsenbraterei tent.

The quintessential Kolsch beer, brewed by the Colner Hofbrau Fruh brewery near Cologne Cathedral since 1904. Kolsch holds a protected geographical indication, legally restricting production to breweries within Cologne. This pale, top-fermented ale is served in traditional 200ml Stange glasses by roaming Kobes waiters.

A cult-favorite pilsner from the Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus in the Black Forest, brewing since 1791. The distinctive stumpy 330ml bottle featuring the Biergit blonde mascot has become an icon of German beer culture. Brewed with local Black Forest spring water, it delivers a crisp, herbal pilsner with a devoted following.