The Hofbräuhaus is considered to be the most famous sight in Munich. The
name translates into Brewery of the Court as it was founded by Duke William V of
Bavaria in 1589 to reduce the cost of supplying the 600 court servants.
The Hofbräuhaus has three levels: a vast pillar free room with a stage and
seating for up to a 1000 guests on the top floor, a traditional and quite
upscale Bavarian restaurant on the first floor and the heart of the house, the
bar at ground level with seating space for 1300. We chose this lively area for
lunch. Never sit a table with a Stammtisch sign - these tables are
reserved for members of the specified fraternity or organization.
It is noisy here, as you would expect of any beer hall worthy of the name.
The oompah band strikes up well-known tunes and there is some singing, arm
linking and swaying. Expect particularly loud cheering when a waiter drops a
beer glass - it is hard to tell whether the patrons or the other waiters enjoy
that the most!
Our waitress dressed in traditional Bavarian costume was rather petite and I
wondered how she managed the reputed test of being able to carry five full
tankards in each hand. She did come by once with four in one hand and food in
the other without breaking a sweat. The table opposite us had one of the more
famous larger and older Bavarian waitresses: when they say “Zahlen!”
even Jay Leno will pay up rather than try a witticism.
Although soft drinks actually made it onto the menu, which varies daily, the
main reason to come here is of course to drink beer and Hofbräu in various
forms is the only brand. If you order a beer without specifying you’ll get a Mass
of Hofbräu Original - a one liter glass of a refreshing beer with an alcohol
content of 5,1%. For a half-liter ask for a Halbe. (I think you can also
get 250 ml but can you face all the raised eyebrows?)
Although the menu is fairly extensive we all went for a selection of sausages
ranging from the local specialty, Weisswurst, to more familiar Bratwurst
and Wiener-like sausages accompanied by potatoes and sauerkraut. A
special pretzel man comes by with baskets of pretzels - Euro 3 for a really big
one. The portions were not particularly big, or maybe just looked small compared
to the size of the beer but not taking any chances we rather opted for a
flawless second Mass than risk overpaying for the food.
The beer goes for around Euro 6 per liter and food range from Euro 4 to 20.
Open from 9 am - 12 pm and yes, you can order a beer straight away, here as
elsewhere in Munich nobody bats an eyelid if you prefer beer with your
breakfast.
Am Platzl 9, 80311 Munich Tel: 089-892901360
www.hofbraeuhaus.de