Beer and Oktoberfest Museum

The Bier- und Oktoberfestmuseum (Beer and Oktoberfest Museum) is dedicated, in an entertaining way, to two subjects inseparably linked with Munich: Bavarian beer and the world-famous Oktoberfest. Housed in one of the city's oldest surviving town houses, the small but lovingly curated museum combines historic building fabric with living brewing culture.

History of the Museum

The building housing the museum ranks among Munich's oldest secular structures and has its own eventful history as a town house. The museum itself is dedicated to the centuries-long history of Bavarian beer, starting with the Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) of 1516, as well as the origins and evolution of Oktoberfest, first celebrated in 1810 to mark the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

Exhibition & Highlights

Spread across several floors, the museum displays historic brewing equipment, old beer steins, posters and photographs of past Oktoberfests, as well as information on the Reinheitsgebot and the role of beer in Bavarian everyday life. The exhibition appeals both to beer enthusiasts and to anyone curious about the origins of the Wiesn (as Oktoberfest is locally known).

Visitor Tips & Getting There

The museum is centrally located in the old town, near Marienplatz, making it a good compact stop between other sights. Current opening hours and admission prices should be checked on the official website in advance.

Nearby Attractions

Just a few minutes' walk away are Marienplatz, Alter Peter and the Viktualienmarkt with its own beer garden - a fitting place to put the knowledge gained at the museum straight into practice.