{"id":52180,"date":"2017-04-17T00:14:11","date_gmt":"2017-04-17T04:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/?p=52180"},"modified":"2026-10-17T19:56:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T23:56:14","slug":"hofbrauhaus-munich-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/hofbrauhaus-munich-history\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus, Munich&#8217;s Famous German Beer Hall"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"thebe-3936881293\" class=\"thebe-fuente-preferida-2 thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=thebeertimes.com\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"A\u00f1adir como fuente preferida en google\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1.jpg 638w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1-300x60.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" width=\"175\" height=\"127\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div><p>The Hofbr\u00e4uhaus is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/guia-munich-los-amantes-la-cerveza\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">one of the most famous beer halls in Munich<\/a>. Duke William V of Bavaria founded it on September 27, 1589 to supply his court with beer.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18331\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18331\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18331 size-full\" title=\"Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Hofbrauhaus.jpg\" alt=\"Hofbrauhaus beer hall\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Hofbrauhaus.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Hofbrauhaus-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Hofbrauhaus-114x60.jpg 114w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18331\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hofbrauhaus beer hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Wittelsbach family ruled Bavaria from 1180 to 1918, first as dukes and from 1806 as kings. They also reigned over the Rhenish Palatinate between 1214 and 1805.<\/p><div id=\"thebe-3316757736\" class=\"thebe-maridaje-sin-rodes thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-bottom: 40px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-45353\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_-187x300.jpg 187w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_.jpg 312w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0GF4CFJBL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Maridaje de cerveza y marihuana. La ciencia sensorial para el sommelier moderno<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0GF4CFJBL\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Today the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus stands at number 9 on the Platzl square, in the historic center. Its brewery, the Staatliches Hofbr\u00e4uhaus, has belonged to the Bavarian State since 1852.<\/p>\n<div id=\"thebe-3062625238\" style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"8775458773\" data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>What Does Hofbr\u00e4uhaus Mean?<\/h2>\n<p>Hofbr\u00e4uhaus means court brewery, because for more than two centuries its beer was reserved for the Bavarian court. King Maximilian II handed it over to the State in 1852.<\/p>\n<p>The crowned HB letters you see on mugs and facades have been its registered trademark since 1879. The brewery registered the emblem so that others would stop copying it.<\/p>\n<h2>Origins of the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus<\/h2>\n<p>William V founded it in 1589, and at first it served only the court. In 1607 a new wheat beer brewery was built on today&#8217;s Platzl, on the same site it occupies now.<\/p>\n<p>In 1632, in the middle of the Thirty Years&#8217; War, Swedish troops were besieging Munich. On May 17 the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus handed them 23,168 liters of beer as part of the tribute that spared the city from worse harm, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hofbraeuhaus.de\/en\/history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">brewery&#8217;s official history<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>That exclusive arrangement lasted more than 200 years. In 1828 King Ludwig I opened the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus to the public with a decree that allowed it to serve food and drink to anyone.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8112\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8112\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8112\" title=\"Origins of Oktoberfest\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Carreras_caballo_oktoberfest_1810-300x154.jpg\" alt=\"Origins of Oktoberfest\" width=\"500\" height=\"257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Carreras_caballo_oktoberfest_1810-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Carreras_caballo_oktoberfest_1810.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8112\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Munich Oktoberfest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That king loved popular celebrations. His wedding in 1810 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/munich-oktoberfest-history-and-origins-of-the-worlds-largest-beer-festival\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gave rise to Oktoberfest<\/a>, which is now celebrated in many places around the world.<\/p>\n<p>In the 19th century the brewery outgrew its home. The last brew on the Platzl took place on May 22, 1896, and production moved to Haidhausen, across the Isar, and since 1988 to the Riem district.<\/p>\n<p>The current building is the work of architect Max Littmann and opened in 1897. The new Schwemme, the great hall on the ground floor, was inaugurated on February 9 of that year.<\/p>\n<h2>Is the Story About Peeing Under the Tables True?<\/h2>\n<p>A much repeated story claims that, after the opening to the public, nobody wanted to leave the table for fear of losing their seat. According to the tale, customers relieved themselves under the tables, the house cut gutters into the floor and even handed out wooden tubes so as not to splash the neighbor.<\/p>\n<p>There are no documents to back it up, and it only appears in collections of beer legends. Take it for what it is, a tavern anecdote told to tourists.<br \/>\n<div id=\"thebe-735404142\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"1179889612\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><\/p><div id=\"thebe-1686774216\" class=\"thebe-libros-amazon thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-43340 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Gu\u00eda Pr\u00e1ctica Catar Cerveza Amazon\" width=\"200\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-370x370.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LddZmQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Gu\u00eda pr\u00e1ctica para catar cerveza: C\u00f3mo apreciar correctamente todas las cervezas del mundo<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LddZmQ\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What Happened at the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus in 1920?<\/h2>\n<p>Its role as a place for political meetings made it the setting for major events. In 1919 the communist government of the Bavarian Soviet Republic set up its headquarters there.<\/p>\n<p>On February 24, 1920, in front of some 2,000 people, Adolf Hitler presented the 25-point program of the German Workers&#8217; Party at the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus. That same day the party adopted the name NSDAP, the Nazi Party.<\/p>\n<p>It should not be confused with another beer hall in the city. The failed coup of November 1923, known as the Beer Hall Putsch, began at the B\u00fcrgerbr\u00e4ukeller and not at the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus.<\/p>\n<h2>Rebuilding the Beer Hall<\/h2>\n<p>Allied bombing in 1945 destroyed almost the entire building, although the Schwemme survived. Reconstruction was completed in 1958, with the reopening of the Festsaal for Munich&#8217;s 800th anniversary.<\/p>\n<p>The Schwemme holds about 1,000 people and the Festsaal about 1,500. With the other rooms, the house has more than 3,500 seats and is one of the city&#8217;s main tourist attractions, especially during Oktoberfest.<\/p>\n<p>The brewery still makes classic Bavarian styles. Its Hofbr\u00e4u Maibock is listed in the BJCP guidelines as an example of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/bock-beer-styles-history-varieties\/\">Bock-style beers<\/a>, a style that was learned precisely at the court brewery.<\/p>\n<p>Its fascinating history and unique atmosphere<strong> make the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus<\/strong> a landmark well worth visiting on a trip to Munich.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n<h3>1. When Was the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus Founded?<\/h3>\n<p>Duke William V of Bavaria founded it on September 27, 1589 to supply his court with beer. In 1607 a new brewery was built on the Platzl, where it still stands, and in 1828 King Ludwig I opened it to the public.<\/p>\n<h3>2. What Do the HB Letters of the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus Mean?<\/h3>\n<p>HB are the initials of Hofbr\u00e4uhaus, which means court brewery. The crowned letters have been its registered trademark since 1879, when the brewery registered the emblem so that others would stop copying it.<\/p>\n<h3>3. What Was Hitler&#8217;s Connection to the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus?<\/h3>\n<p>On February 24, 1920 Hitler presented there, in front of some 2,000 people, the 25-point program of the German Workers&#8217; Party, which adopted the name NSDAP that same day. The 1923 Putsch did not happen at the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus but at another Munich beer hall, the B\u00fcrgerbr\u00e4ukeller.<\/p>\n<h3>4. How Many People Fit in the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus?<\/h3>\n<p>The Schwemme on the ground floor holds about 1,000 people and the Festsaal about 1,500. Counting the other rooms on the upper floors, the building has more than 3,500 seats.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Who Owns the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus?<\/h3>\n<p>It has belonged to the Bavarian State since 1852, when King Maximilian II handed it over. The brewery is officially called Staatliches Hofbr\u00e4uhaus in M\u00fcnchen and has brewed in the Riem district since 1988.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"When Was the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus Founded?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Duke William V of Bavaria founded it on September 27, 1589 to supply his court with beer. In 1607 a new brewery was built on the Platzl, where it still stands, and in 1828 King Ludwig I opened it to the public.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What Do the HB Letters of the Hofbr\u00e4uhaus Mean?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"HB are the initials of Hofbr\u00e4uhaus, which means court brewery. 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The brewery is officially called Staatliches Hofbr\u00e4uhaus in M\u00fcnchen and has brewed in the Riem district since 1988.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"thebe-1371765855\" class=\"thebe-maridaje-cerveza-marihuana thebe-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49643\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-370x370.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4qHemVH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Maridaje de cerveza y queso profesional. Ciencia, t\u00e9cnica y sinergia sensorial<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><h2>Recommended<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/guia-munich-los-amantes-la-cerveza\/\">A Munich Guide for German Beer Lovers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/munich-oktoberfest-history-and-origins-of-the-worlds-largest-beer-festival\/\">Munich Oktoberfest: History and Origin of the World&#8217;s Largest Beer Festival<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"thebe-1819076963\" class=\"thebe-multiplex-final thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"2413980541\" data-ad-format=\"autorelaxed\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Munich&#8217;s Hofbr\u00e4uhaus was founded in 1589 as the Bavarian ducal court brewery. Its history, its halls and what happened there in 1920.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18331,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpai_generated_summary":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21119,21151],"tags":[21122,21258,21134,22385,21682],"class_list":["post-52180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-culture","category-travels","tag-culture","tag-germany","tag-history","tag-munich","tag-travel-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52180"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52187,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52180\/revisions\/52187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}