Bayreuth and beer – hikes on which you not only explore the town's rich brewing tradition but also enjoy the picturesque countryside and idyllic landscape of the district of Bayreuth.
Beer hiking in Bayreuth – The town is known not only for its cultural history but also for its first-class breweries and beers steeped in tradition. This area has always been known, among other things, for its brewing skills, and to this day Upper Franconia has the highest density of breweries in the world.
“I am remarkably healthy. Thanks to Bayreuth beer.”
– Jean Paul
Even the poet Jean Paul was an ambassador for this Franconian cultural treasure and for Bayreuth’s beer culture. But Bayreuth’s probably most famous resident, Richard Wagner, also had a penchant for barley juice: his wife Cosima often wrote about her husband’s “dietary lapses”.
Bayreuth also tempts you with popular hiking spots – so what could be more natural than enjoying the town and the countryside on a beer hike while sampling different beers?
That is why we have put together a selection of beer hiking trails for you:
Bayreuth beer — a town walk
The culinary region of Upper Franconia is known above all for its beer. Naturally, this beer culture also runs through the town of Bayreuth.
The starting point of our little tour is, how could it be otherwise, the Maisel brewery with its extensive Bier-Erlebniswelt. This is a particularly good place to experience the history of brewing and how it has changed up to the present day. At the Liebesbier you will also find one of the largest selections of beer in the region …
The record-breaking trail with certificate: Brauereienweg Aufseß
On this beer hike near Bayreuth you become a “Franconian beer connoisseur of the four world-record breweries“.
The small municipality of Aufseß to the west of Bayreuth holds the world record for the highest density of breweries per inhabitant, and its 14 km circular trail takes you past the four local breweries:
- Brauereigasthof Rothenbach
- Kathi Bräu Heckenhof
- Brauerei Reichold Hochstahl
- Brauereigasthof Stadter Sachsendorf
This beer hiking trail can easily be walked in one day and comes with a Brauereienweg hiking pass.
At each of the four stages, a stamp awaits you along with fresh beer and other delicacies; afterwards you receive a certificate and may henceforth call yourself a “Franconian beer connoisseur of the four world-record breweries”.
Download the hiking pass as a PDF document:
Beer hike around the heart of the town: Bayreuther Bierkultur-Runde
The second brewery hike leads right through Bayreuth, past sights and breweries. Walk along Hindenburgstraße, through the town centre and past numerous other stops all about beer, then via the Stadthalle to the Röhrensee. From there the route continues.
Finally, this beer hike of around 8 km through Bayreuth takes you to the town’s two large breweries, with the option of visiting Maisel’s Brauerei & Büttnerei-Museum (brewery and cooperage museum) or the catacombs of the Aktien-Brauerei.
On this beer trail, more than 10 breweries and beer gardens are also waiting for you to visit.
Franconian idyll and beer culture: the Ahorntal
On this circular route of around 23 kilometres, you can see the idyllic landscape of Franconian Switzerland particularly well. Along the way you will discover the striking rock formations with their cave entrances and can stop at three typically Franconian inns.
The queen of Bayreuth’s beer hikes: the Pottensteiner Biertrilogie-Weg
Pottenstein lies picturesquely in Franconian Switzerland and is a popular destination above all thanks to its fascinating landscape and unusual leisure activities. On this hike of just under 2.5 hours you can not only discover fairytale panoramas but also sample regional specialities in three rustic breweries and inns.
A beer hike that takes you to new heights: the Biergondelweg
This short but impressive hike takes you up the second-highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge, the Ochsenkopf. Known in winter as a popular destination for skiers and cross-country skiers, the Erlebnisparadies Ochsenkopf offers hikers a varied landscape with great places to stop for food and drink.
Would you like to hear and experience even more “Gschichtl’a” (little stories) about Franconia’s cult drink?
Then experience Bayreuth on a draymen’s tour and hear the best stories and quirkiest customs from our Bierkutscher (draymen).
