Lowenbrau Original

Munich takes lager very seriously, which explains why breweries like Löwenbräu have survived for centuries while still producing beer people actually want to drink by the litre.

Founded in Munich and dating back to at least the 1300s, Löwenbräu remains one of the city’s historic breweries and one of the famous names associated with Oktoberfest. The name translates to “Lion’s Brew”, which sounds either heroic or slightly threatening depending how many steins are already involved.

The brewery’s core lagers sit firmly in classic Bavarian territory. Helles with soft malt sweetness and clean bitterness, darker lagers carrying bread crust and caramel notes, plus stronger seasonal beers designed for colder weather and questionable festival decisions. The important thing is balance. German brewing at this level rarely feels flashy because it doesn’t need to.

Munich’s brewing culture shapes everything here. Decoction mashing, long lagering times and strict attention to clean fermentation all contribute to that smooth, rounded texture good Bavarian beer carries. Even relatively accessible Löwenbräu bottles still retain some of that old-school beer hall character.

There’s also something reassuring about breweries that remain connected to actual drinking culture rather than purely collector culture. These beers are built for conversation, food and large tables full of people becoming gradually louder throughout the evening.