Liquid Gold in Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest may be the annual climax of Germany’s love of hops, hefs and everything in between, but Münchers worship their golden beers year-round.

Begin your journey at Hofbräuhaus (Platzl 8), the unofficial headquarters of Munich beer connoisseurs. Here you’ll find beer tourists and locals alike lined side by side along stretches of wooden tables, large maße of beer undoubtedly in tote. While heavy in tourist traffics, this stop is not to miss.

Next take a detour from the Tour de Bier to admire the Frauenkirche Cathedral. The domed towers are a fine example of classic onion or 'zwiebelturm”-shaped structures. Then venture over to Marienplatz to visit the new and old city halls.

After working up an appetite for more beer, quench your thirst for brew in the serene Hofgarten, located between the Residenz and the Englischer Garten. Under a canopy of trees in this royal garden you'll be able to pull up a chair, throw back some cold liters of radler (beer with lemonade), and maybe even catch a game of fußball.

Regain your strength after a long day of Munich sightseeing and beer tasting at – you guessed it – another internationally renowned beer house. At Spatenhaus an der Oper (Residenzstraße 12) you’ll have the chance to try more than hop- and wheat-infused libations. Order the spanferkelbraten, slow roasted pig with a crispy beer-glazed skin along with a portion of knödel and sauerkraut. For dessert, consider taking bayerisch creme, a rich Bavarian dessert. Enjoy the best of Bavarian cuisine with museum views from the outside patio or traditional décor inside the restaurant.

Those looking to shop in Munich should direct their swipe-ready plastics towards towards Maximilianstraße. Stop by the famous Dallmayr shop (Dienerstraße 14) for specialty food items and coffees.

Additional Tips & Information

• Mittlerer Ring encompasses the city center and is a convenient route for motorists who wish to circumnavigate the city.

• Notice lion figures throughout the city, the official animal icon of Munich and the state of Bavaria.

• Like most major cities, Munich has a river flowing through it: the Isar River.

• ß is scharfes (sharp) S in German , and ß is pronounced like the letter s