Ode to Beer: Visiting the Munich Hofbrauhaus

I’ve been to Munich once before, of course, back on the first big EuroTrip in 2006 that exposed me to real travel and ended in Germany to see the World Cup. We even spent a few days in Munich, soaking in the futbol feeling and sampling some crazy good beers, but as far as I can remember we never actually made it to the Hofbrauhaus!

I suppose it only fitting, then, that on this last trip through Munich I actually made it there twice! The first was part of the Third Reich Walking Tour, as we discussed the first major National Socialist (Nazi) party meeting which took place on the top floor of the Munich Hofbrauhaus.

Being the middle of the day it was pretty quiet, but as luck would have it I convinced Logan (a fraternity brother who was in town with his family for Oktoberfest) to meet me there later that night to hang out for a bit!

As much as I enjoyed the actual Oktoberfest, being in the Hofbrauhaus on a busy night with a boisterous crowd was an almost equally enveloping atmosphere.

As if the Bavarian folk music and occasional dancers weren’t enough, occasional the (seemingly overwhelmingly Italian) crowd would break into team chants and table pounding. Even though we had no idea of the words or meaning, the feeling was viral and we soon joined in.

At some point Logan and fam had to leave, so I wandered around taking photos and reveling in the noise and energy. On the top floor, alo busy but not quiet so packed, I sat for some time snapping photos and savoring the feeling of just being there.

How on earth did we miss this the first time through?

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While I first visited while working with the Munich 3rd Reich Walking Tour, I was pretty gutted that the Beer and Brewery Tour wasn’t on during Oktoberfest. Can you imagine, being paid to drink photos and take beer at the Munich Hofbrauhaus?! If you’re in town and want a guide to show you around, check these guys out.