Munich’s Paulaner brewery is one of the six traditional Munich based breweries which are allowed to sell their products at the Oktoberfest. The name of the Paulaner brewery refers to the order of friars that resided in Neuhauser Straße in Munich who were part of the order of Saint Francis of Paola. The friars had brewed beer for their own use since 1634. Interestingly, this makes Paulaner the youngest of the six “oktoberfestbier” breweries. Slightly over 50% per cent of the brewery is still in the hands of the Munich based billionaire family Schörghuber while the rest is owned by Heineken (the official owner is a joint venture of the Schörghuber Stiftung and Heineken). The Oktoberfest in Munich and the annual Salvator tasting with the “Politiker Derblecken“ (roasting) of the local politicians are just two examples of how Paulaner keeps its ties to Munich traditions.
Paulaner brewery’s deep ties to Munich are apparent by its strong presence at the Oktoberfest. The logo of the monk’s head influences the appearance of the Oktoberfest, as does the famous Paulaner tower with the oversized beer mug spinning at the top. Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier is served in three large tents: Paulaner Festzelt Winzerer Fähndl, Armbrustschützen-Festhalle and Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke. There is also Weissbier in the Weinzelt (wine tent). But, many smaller tents also serve the world-famous “finest Munich art of brewing since 1634”.
The brewery produces 14 beer varieties (not counting the non-alcoholic) which are divided into three product families, the Weißbier Family (Hefe-Weißbier Naturtrüb, Hefe-Weißbier Non-Alcoholic, Weißbier-Radler, Weißbier-Radler Non-Alcoholic, Hefe-Weißbier Dunkel, Weißbier Kristallklar, Hefe-Weißbier Leicht), the Munich family (Münchner Hell, Münchner Hell Non-Alcoholic, Münchner Urtyp, Münchner Dunkel, Münchner Hell Leicht) and Other Specialties (Oktoberfest Bier, Salvator, Münchner Pils). The Salvator, the best-selling double bock beer in Germany and the father of all strong beers, represents the true origins of the Paulaner brewery. The Paulaner brewery is the 18th biggest in Germany by sales numbers. You can learn more about the Paulaner brewery and its beers by viewing the video below.
Interesting Facts
Paulaner is also the official FC Bayern Munich brewery and features prominently during the yearly title celebrations of the club. For decades the slogan of the brewery is “Gut. Besser. Paulaner.” (Good. Better. Paulaner.). 2015 is an important year in the history of the Paulaner brewery since it moved the production from the legendary Nockherberg to Munich Langwied. Beers with a description such as “Munich beer” or “Beer from Munich” may only be brewed in the traditional way and within city limits.
