| If you've ever been to a beer hall in Germany, you | | | | no exception. All you have to do is ask if there is |
| must know that beer drinking isn't for the faint of | | | | free space: "Ist das platz frei, bitte?" However, it is |
| heart. And in Munich, in particular, beer drinking is a | | | | advisable to not sit down at a 'Stammtisch' even if |
| serious past-time. There is etiquette, there is | | | | you find it to be completely empty, since this is a |
| terminology, there are pairings, and ultimately there is | | | | table reserved for members of a group or society, |
| ambiance. But briefly, here's what you'll need to | | | | available to their membership only or by invitation. |
| know. | | | | The Best Beer Gardens of Munich |
| Ordering Beer | | | | The Hofbrauhaus, located at Platz 6, is perhaps the |
| Beer is served by the liter or 'Mass', or by the | | | | best-known and most popular beer garden in Munich. |
| half-liter or 'Halb'. Ordering quantities smaller than that | | | | It enjoys international notoriety and is generally |
| is generally frowned upon. For non-drinkers, even | | | | packed at night, with locals and visitors alike. |
| though sodas and colas are available in some of the | | | | The Augustiner Gaststatten, Neuhauser Strasse 27. |
| beer gardens, a customary drink is | | | | The Augustiner is the second most famous beer hall |
| 'Apfelschaftschorle', which is soda-water mixed with | | | | in Munich, after the Hofbrauhaus, and is historic to |
| apple juice. This is of course not only much healthier | | | | boot. In fact, until 1885, Augustiner beer was brewed |
| but also more refreshing than a cola. And then there | | | | right here, at this very location. The building is in part |
| is the 'Radler', which literally means 'cyclist', and is | | | | Art Nouveau and the beer garden is especially |
| half-beer, half-lemonade. | | | | delightful. |
| Food with Beer | | | | The Paulaner im Tal, at Tal 12, is a rather nostalgic |
| The staple food in beer gardens is large, soft pretzels | | | | restaurant that comprises a terrace and beer garden. |
| and sausages of all sorts, usually served with | | | | It serves primarily local cuisine that incorporates a |
| sauerkraut and potatoes. A favorite in Munich is | | | | fairly good vegetarian selection as well as some |
| 'Weisswurst' or white sausage, which is traditionally | | | | Austrian favorites. |
| served in the morning, often with sweet Bavarian | | | | The Lowenbraukeller, located adjacent to the |
| mustard and beer. Etiquette requires that you eat | | | | brewery at Nymphenburger Strasse 2, is quite close |
| 'Weisswurst' by hand and leave out the skin. In most | | | | to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) in a rustic |
| of the beer gardens, you are also permitted to bring | | | | locale. It boasts a delightful beer garden where the |
| your own food, although never your own drinks. | | | | food is undeniably Bavarian. This is also a good place |
| Seating in a Beer Garden | | | | to go to get a whiff of the local flavor, for the beer |
| It is also not uncommon to share tables with | | | | garden tends to cater more to a local clientele than |
| strangers in some of the busier restaurants, and beer | | | | foreign tourists who seem to be drawn increasingly |
| gardens that sport long tables and bench seats are | | | | to the breweries in the Old Town section of the city. |
