Six of Bavaria's most beautiful beer gardens

The beer garden as we know it today was invented in Munich. In the summer of 1811, the city's pub owners were fed up as their guests flocked to the banks of the river Isar on hot days, leaving their pubs empty. Under shady chestnut trees, the brewers served their cool beer directly from the cellars. As the breweries began to also offer food, the Munich pub owners took their protest all the way to the king. On 4 June 1812, King Max responded with the ordinance on Bavarian beer gardens. Although this law allowed the breweries to continue serving their beer directly on the banks of the river, it forbade them from selling food as well. 200 years later, the ordinance is no longer in force. But its impact is felt to this day, as guests in Bavarian beer gardens can continue to bring their own food and eat it there.

The Staudinger Keller in Moosburg

Beer garden cuisine is as varied as it is tasty, including sausage salad, cold cuts with horseradish, pretzels with aromatic Emmental cheese and of course the famous Obazda: a traditional Bavarian cheese spread made with camembert. These dishes and more are served under the shade of the trees at the beer garden of the Staudinger Keller in Moosburg an der Isar. Here, sports fans can enjoy watching the big events live on large screens.

The beer garden of the Hacklberger Bräustüberl in Passau

In the charismatic city of Passau near the Austrian border, Bavarian cuisine meets Spanish bar culture. The beer garden of the Hacklberger Bräustüberl serves "Bavarian tapas" like mini-dumplings with black radishes, or sausage fritters served with potato and radish salad. Sitting under chestnut trees, dawn redwoods or cypresses, guests have been enjoying Bavarian hospitality here since 1912. The Hacklberger Bräustüberl combines regional cuisine with its own beer brewed in-house. If the heavens suddenly open or in the cool evening hours, guests can find a comfortable spot in the cosy tavern.

The beer garden of the Hotels Seehof in Herrsching 

The beer garden of the Hotel Seehof in Herrsching is another great place to chill out. With its idyllic location on Germany's longest lake promenade on the banks of the Ammersee lake, guests can enjoy the perfect summer's evening as the sun slowly sets over the water. Alongside the typical Bavarian cuisine, the beer garden also serves real, stone-baked Neapolitan pizza. Next door at Seeliebe, the bar keepers serve unusual cocktails in a relaxed lounge atmosphere.

The beer garden at the Hausbrauerei in Memmingen

Amid the hustle and bustle of the town centre in Memmingen, the beer garden at Joesepps Brauhaus is an oasis of calm, offering a well-earned rest for shoppers from the adjacent high street. The beer garden serves authentic Swabian and Bavarian cuisine together with a selection of unfiltered beers brewed on site. Best of all, guests can watch the beer being made.

The Weißbierhaus in Bamberg

Franconia is well known for its relaxed approach to life. If you would like to experience this for yourself, come to Bamberg. Alongside its splendid architecture, this historic city of emperors and bishops has plenty to offer fans of good food and drink. The nostalgic Weissbierhaus with its cosy beer garden is just seven minutes from the train station. It is one of the best places to try the full variety of Franconian cooking, from hearty pork shoulder and home-made terrine to savoury bar snacks.

The Augustiner Schützengarten in Munich

With space for 3,000 guests, the Augustiner Schützengarten in Munich-Sendling is the mother of all Bavarian beer gardens. Despite its truly epic proportions, it remains a cosy and intimate place to relax with friends. So sit down, order a beer and enjoy the best of what Bavarian hospitality has to offer.