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Eat & Drink
Beer city Bamberg
Beer drinking in the beer garden
Thanks be to King Ludwig I
There would be no beer gardens without him.
Bamberg has the reputation of Germany"s beer city. And it is justified. The ten breweries are not the only advertisement for this : the really cosy beer gardens on Stephansberg and Kaulberg underpin Bamberg"s special position regarding beer. The creation of the beer gardens is due to a royal decision. King Ludwig I of Bavaria decided that beer could be brewed only in the winter between « Michaeli and Georgi ». Nevertheless, the citizens didn"t want to abstain from bottom-fermented beer, which needs a temperature from four to eight grades to mature, and the resourceful brewers had deep caves built in the rock. Beer was stocked there and it matured in barrels under huge chunks of ice. To protect the caves against the sun heat, the brewers strewed light gravel upon the caves and planted chestnuts or linden trees, which provided shade. In the summer, the fresh beer was served in this pleasant place. The matter got about quickly and soon, crowds of thirsty people went to the beer garden. Tourists commentated on the fact that the Bamberger and their guests were allowed to eat the sandwiches they brought with them in the beer garden with a shake of the head. This tradition goes also back to King Ludwig Ist : in order to give a competitive advantage to retaurants without their own breweries, he forbade dishes to be served at the temporary bars. However, the citizens were resourceful and brought bread, sausage and cheese with them to the beer garden. This tradition has not changed to this day.
 beer garden calendar
Beer at the Gabelmann
While other cities boast about being the « Capital of the beer », Bamberg shines with diversity and quality and one can witness this during the beer festivals in the City centre.
The clergy of the city is at the origin of beer brewing in Bamberg. It is already almost 1000 years over and since then, the city has developed to the Franconian beer metropolis, with Kulmbach. In the 19th century, Bamberg had a unique position in Franconia with its 65 breweries and even today there are still 10 medium-sized breweries. In comparison : there are still six breweries in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. The highlight of this unique tradition takes place during the « Day of the beer » on April 23rd : visitors can compare and enjoy the different beer sorts. Pils, smoky beer or wheat beer, there is everything, what the heart of a beer-lover wants. Every gulp is a pleasure because beers in Bamberg are still brewed according to ancient home recipes. These are cherished like life itself. These beers cannot be compared with the mass productions of famous German large breweries. In a positive sense. Bamberg"s beer is like the whole city, an individual and unique cultural treasure.
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