Best German Beer Style Types
Weissbier is a classic Bavarian wheat ale that is top-fermented and characterized by its mousse-like foam and cloudy appearance—which is a result of a large proportion of wheat and a small amount of barley malt used in its production.
German weissbier has to be made with at least 50% malted wheat, but most producers use more than the minimum. These beers are fermented with yeast strains that provide typical clove, banana, smoke, and occasionally even bubble gum aroma. Weissbiers are typically malty and subtly bitter, and though they are traditionally fermented in the bottle, this practice has become rare.
THE BEST Weissbier Ales
Helles is a German-style lager that first appeared in Munich in 1894. It was a Bavarian answer to light Czech pilsner. Although Bavaria heavily relied on strong and dark lagers, the popularity of crisp and golden pilsner beers influenced Bavarian brewers to start producing a similar style.
Traditional Helles is typically more malt-forward and has a firmer body than pilsner and other lager styles, but still remains soft and medium-bodied. It is clean, easy-drinking, refined, fresh, and dry, with light hop bitterness and subtle malt sweetness.
THE BEST Helles Lagers
Märzen is a German beer style from Bavaria that is closely connected with Oktoberfestbier and shares some similarities with Vienna lager. This style officially appeared in 1841 when it was brewed by Spaten brewery, but a similar style existed well before that.
Märzen is an amber-colored lager that has toasty malt aromas and flavors, dry finish, crisp hop bitterness, and a medium body. Original versions of these beers were somewhat darker, and as the name suggests—Märzen translates as March—they were brewed in March and then left to lager until early fall.
Dunkel is a German dark lager that is mostly associated with Bavaria and Munich. This dark beer, which can range from copper to dark brown, is mainly brewed from Munich malt which gives the beer its typical caramel-like and toasty character.
The beers that fall under this category will typically be smooth, medium-bodied, easy-drinking, subtly sweet, and not too heavy. Typical toasty notes may be accompanied by caramel, toffee, and nut aromas, while hop character can be present but should remain subtle.
THE BEST Dunkel Lagers
Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel
World Beer Cup - Gold 2022
Doppelbock is a German beer style that was first brewed in Munich by Paulaner monks. As the name might suggest—doppel translates as double—this style developed as a slightly stronger version of traditional German bock style.
Doppelbock beers are usually medium-bodied with a color that ranges from golden to dark brown. They are rich and smooth with a distinctive malt sweetness that is balanced with subtle hop bitterness. Typical aromas include bread and toasty notes that can be accompanied by subtle hints of caramel.
THE BEST Doppelbock Lagers
Brauerei Aying Franz Inselkammer
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold 2023
Weizenbock is a German beer style that was introduced in 1907 by the Schneider Weisse Brauhaus brewery located in Munich. Weizenbock was supposed to be a middle-ground between the rich and malty doppelbock and wheat beer (weissbier) that was popular at the time.
The style comes in a pale and slightly darker version. Although both styles have a distinctive malt backbone, darker versions may have a richer malt profile and heavier toasty expressions with possible hints of caramel flavors and aromas of raisins and plums.
THE BEST Weizenbock Lagers
Along with ale, lager is one of the two main beer categories, and in terms of production, it is the most common beer style in the world. The main distinction between lagers and ales depends on the type of yeast. Lagers use Saccharomyces pastorianus, generally known as bottom-fermenting yeasts, which ferment more slowly and at cooler temperatures than ale yeasts.
However, there are several exceptions to the rule, and some beer styles don’t necessarily fit in one category. Lagers come in a wide variety of styles, which differ in color, alcohol content, and flavors, but they tend to have a cleaner and crispier character than ales.
VARIATIONS OF Lager
THE BEST Lager Lagers
Altbier, meaning old beer, is a German beer style which originated in Düsseldorf. The style falls somewhere between a lager and an ale—the beers are fermented warm like ales but are then aged cool like lagers. The name altbier, which originated in the 1880s, refers to the traditional brewing process of using top-fermenting yeasts.
The name arose to distinguish traditional brews from the new lagers that were mainly produced in Bavaria. Before that, it was simply known as bier. These full-bodied beers are typically malty, clean and crisp, while their color may range from copper to amber.
THE BEST Altbier Hybrid Beers
Bock beer is a German bottom fermenting lager that nowadays comes in a wide range of sub-styles. Traditional versions may range from golden to amber, and sometimes even dark brown. They are typically lightly hopped, rich, creamy, smooth, and malty, with toasty and occasionally caramel notes.
Alcohol content falls within the ABV range of 6.3 to 7.6%, and the beer is traditionally served in a tulip glass. Its origin dates back to the fourteenth century and the city of Einbeck where the beer was brewed by certified master brewers who followed a unique set of quality standards which were established by the city council.
VARIATIONS OF Bock
THE BEST Bock Lagers
Dunkelweizen is a moderately dark, wheat-based German ale that is often described as a cross between a dunkel and a hefeweizen (weissbier). These refreshing beers typically range from copper to dark brown and are distinguished for banana and clove-like flavors and aromas.
Dunkelweizen beers have a malty character, medium body, smooth texture, and medium to high carbonation. Along with clove and banana aromas, some examples display hints of vanilla and bubblegum. The flavor is bready and grainy, often complemented by caramel nuances.
THE BEST Dunkelweizen Ales
Best German Beer Style Producers
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2024
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2021
European Beer Star - Gold
2020
BEST Brauerei Aying Franz Inselkammer Beers
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
Untappd - 2.9
Untappd - 3.4
BEST Schlossbrauerei Unterbaar Beers
Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan (Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan) is considered the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world. It is located in Freising, Bavaria, Germany, on Weihenstephan Hill, which has a rich history tied to brewing.
Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan produces a wide range of beers, renowned for their exceptional quality and adherence to the traditional Reinheitsgebot (the German Beer Purity Law of 1516).
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2023, 2020
World Beer Cup - Gold
2022, 2016
Untappd - 3.7
BEST Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan Beers
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2022, 2021, 2020
Untappd - 3.5
Untappd - 3.6
BEST Private Landbrauerei Schönram Beers
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
World Beer Awards - Gold
2023
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2021
BEST Brauerei Gebrüder Maisel Beers
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2023, 2021, 2020
Untappd - 3.3
Untappd - 3.5
BEST Distelhäuser Brauerei Ernst Bauer Beers
Schlossbrauerei Autenried is a Bavarian brewery located in the Swabia region, near the town of Günzburg in Germany. The brewery is housed in the historic Autenried Castle, which dates back to the 18th century, and the beer it produces has a long tradition.
The brewery specializes in crafting high-quality traditional German beers, relying on brewing methods that have been in use for centuries. Schlossbrauerei Autenried produces a variety of beers, including lagers, pale ales, and other Bavarian specialties, often using local ingredients and specific fermentation techniques.
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2022, 2021, 2020
Untappd - 2.9
BEST Schlossbrauerei Autenried Beers
Familienbrauerei Bauhöfer (Bauhöfer Family Brewery) is a traditional German brewery located in Renchen-Ulm, in the Ortenau region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Established in 1852, it has a long history of producing high-quality beers, combining age-old brewing traditions with modern techniques.
The brewery is family-owned and operated, maintaining its strong roots in local craftsmanship and community values.
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2022, 2021
Untappd - 3.3
Untappd - 3.4
BEST Familienbrauerei Bauhöfer Beers
Biermanufaktur Engel is a German craft brewery located in Crailsheim, Baden-Württemberg. Known for its commitment to quality and traditional brewing methods, the brewery produces a wide range of artisanal beers, focusing on creating unique flavors and styles.
Biermanufaktur Engel emphasizes the use of high-quality ingredients and local resources, reflecting the region’s brewing heritage. The brewery's beers are crafted in small batches to ensure optimal taste and freshness. With a passion for innovation, Biermanufaktur Engel has become a respected name in the craft beer community, offering a distinctive selection for beer enthusiasts.
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2023, 2022
Untappd - 3.3
Untappd - 3.4
BEST Biermanufaktur Engel Beers
Best German Beer Styles
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2024
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2021
European Beer Star - Gold
2020
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
Untappd - 3.4
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2022, 2021
Untappd - 3.6
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2022
Untappd - 3.7
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2020
Untappd - 3.5
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2021
Untappd - 3.6
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2021
Untappd - 3.6
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2016
Untappd - 3.7
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