Klosterbrauerei Andechs

A solid drive from Munich and near a beautiful lake. A large monastery campus with great views and a large outdoor seating area. Inside is a bit dark. Cafeteria-style ordering system for food (hot and cold separately) and beer, with beer being an efficient operation. They don't make a bad beer so you can't go wrong with anything but their Weizen and Helles were particularly tasty. Try their speciality sausage and have them warm it up. Very good with one of their massive pretzels. Much more touristy than I expected but very much worth the trip to experience this special place.

I hiked up to the monastery with some friends during a fall post-Octoberfest long weekend getaway (pre Covid). Maybe it was the beautiful day and weather, maybe the great beer companions I hiked with, or maybe the place is just outstanding, but it was a trip that my traveling companions and I still reminisce about and we still bring over bottles of Andechs just to relive the experience. First rate, unsurpassed, a bucket list must-do. The food was really good, the vibe is awesome, a Munich beer inspired five stars. You have to love the long tables, the Munich beer culture, the families enjoying the outing - the best of Munich and what I wish we could emulate back home in the US.

 

 

 

This is a MUST day-trip from Munich; take the S-Bahn (S8) to Herrsching and Bus 951 that will take you to the bottom of the hill, atop which awaits the magnificent Klosterbrauerei Andechs - specifically, the Klostergasthof. There is a large terrace, but it was closed during my November visit. (On clear days, you can see the Bavarian Alps.) It is a large and rustic place with large communal tables and a few booths. It is a popular place for locals and humble beer pilgrims like myself. There is no table service, so here's what you do: step up to the Casse, pay for your beer - a liter mug will cost 7.30 (euro) - show the receipt at the next counter, the one with the giant keg, and claim your delicious beer, one of the best Germany has to offer. If you hunger, there is an adjoining room where you can get food in a cafeteria style. I settled for some tasty sausages and then settled in for a wonderful day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fantastic place. If you are in Bavaria please make the pilgrimage. You won't be disappointed

Probably my favorite beer garden that I visited during my trip to Bavaria. I only tried the Helles and the Doppelbock beers. I don't remember much about the Helles, but the Doppelbock was awesome. I had pork belly to eat which was also fantastic. Food and beverage were both very reasonable. It was less expensive than beer gardens in Munch. We went on a Sunday afternoon in the Spring and there was a traditional Bavarian band playing music and it was a very festive atmosphere. Views were good too since it sits on top of a hill.

This is it. This is a place where all beer lovers must pilgrimage to. Come on... It's a monestary in the Bavarian Alps where they have making beer for hundreds of years. And of course the beer is amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While my Overall Review is 3.75, it's lower because of service and selection. For eating at a Biergarten like this one, it doesn't really matter what the service or selection is like since it's pretty universal across most Biergartens, so I would like to give an arbitrary overall review of 4.4/4.5. So, on to the review!

Atmosphere - I visited in late June 2012 and had beautiful weather for a visit. Went with two friends from Munich via the S-Bahn to Herrsching, from which you can hike through beautiful woods up to the Kloster. I recommend this way since it is not only very scenic, but it also helps build up a thirst for excellent beer. Plus the Kloster is situated on top of a hill that overlooks farmland and the Alps on a clear day, so it's hard to go wrong. Few Biergartens, let along breweries in general, can probably offer this same experience, so it's worth it for the hike and views alone.

Quality - The beer was very good, with the standard Helles-Dunkel-Weißbier offerings prevalent in Munich and Bavaria. We each ordered one of the three, and I won't go into reviewing these beers in particular since other people more qualified than I have done so in the individual beer reviews section. However, they were all very good.

Service/Selection - The Kloster works in typical Biergarten fashion (cafeteria style), so you won't find a wide range of foods like you would in a place like Augustiner-Keller in the middle of Munich. Additionally, my friends and I were hoping to eat Stekerlfisch or chicken at a little food-stand area just outside the Klosterbiergarten, but they both closed up shop after we arrived, thus limiting the selection that you could probably find otherwise.

Food - I had a plate of Schweinbraten (roast pork) with Bratkartoffeln (roasted potatoes), and it was very good, although it didn't knock my socks off. It was my first time having it as well, and as a first-time experience, you can't go wrong.

Value - The price of drinks and food seemed comparable to what I was used to getting in Munich, although I can't remember specifics, but come with at least 20 Euros if you plan on ordering a Maß (1 liter glass) and a plate of food.

This place is as near to perfection as I may ever find! I fully endorse all the other reviews. PLEASE NOTE: The train to Herrshing is now the S8. All else remains the same! And that's a GOOD thing!

The atmosphere at Andechs was the most impressive, and a close second was the Dopplebock Dunkel. My wife sampled the Apfel and it was delicious, but one of those things that you can only handle a halbe of. We also sampled a limited run of Maibock, which was fantastic.

The grounds are immaculate and the food is top notch. Classic Bavarian wurst, cheese, and gigantic servings of ham and chicken. We were there on a Saturday and it wasn't crazy busy, the crowd was an even mix of locals, tourists, and bachelor parties! Entertaining all around. Since we arrived to Herrshing at around 10:30, we just missed the bus (which runs every hour at 10 past the hour). We opted for a cab from the train stop for 12 euro.

Bottom line, GO THERE NOW!