Munich: The Legendary Beer City

Munich is located on the River Isar to the north of the Bavarian Alps. Munich is a town that mixes worldwide glamour with proud provincialism. It was established by Duke Henry the Lion in 1158. The city has become home of the Wittelsbach family, who ruled the electorate, kingdom and duchy of Bavaria until the end of World War I.

Their authority is clear in the focus of impressive Renaissance, Baroque, neo-classical and Gothic structural design decorating Munich’s streets. Maybe most significantly, the Wittelsbach’s support of the arts and wide-ranging collections gives the roots for Munich’s first-class galleries and museums.

The town obtained the name München, which means home of the monks, from its initial monastery established in the 8 century. Monasteries have played a significant role in the past of the town, not slightest by starting the beer preparation traditions, which gives the global renown to the city. Succeeding rulers detected a cost-effective source of tax profits so they energetically encouraged beer manufacture as a way to increase money and keep, at the same moment, the population happy.

Following current unions, the town’s 6 breweries have been concentrated in 4, the merged Spaten-Löwenbräu, the Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner. Beer excellence is still derived from the Reinheitsgebot or the Purity Edict, pioneered by the Bavarian Duke Wilhelm IV, in 1516 that prohibits the employ of anything other than the center ingredients of hops, water and barley in the brewing procedure. Drinking a delicious mass of beer in one of the town’s beer gardens or halls is a vital element of the Munich experience.