Hofbrau is still 1 of only 2 traditional breweries in Munich still in state ownership (being set-up by “the state” as in Wilhelm V, duke of Bavaria in 1589) and not swallowed up by any major international corporate. Being in state ownership it has at it's heart a commitment to the Bavarian way of life and so, the task of protecting the highest quality brewing that Bavaria prides itself on.

The brewery was originally set up by Wilhelm V, the Duke of Bavaria (1579-1597). He and his household, which consisted of the court plus the public workers, were dissatisfied with the beer brewed in Munich, and so beer for consumption by the royal household had to be imported from the town of Einbeck in Lower Saxony. Wilhelm ordered his retinue to think of ways of reconciling cost and pleasure, and on September 27, 1589, his chamberlain and counsellors suggested they should build their own brewery. Wilhelm was delighted with the idea and on the very same day recruited the brewmaster from the Geisenfeld Monastery, Heimeran Pongraz, to plan and supervise the construction of Hofbräuhaus (the "ducal brewery"), and to be it's first master brewer. But only members of the royal household and public workers had access to the beer brewed in the Hofbräuhaus.

The Hofbräuhaus brewery moved location a number of times, as capacity needed to be expanded. But it settled in Platzl in Munich city centre, in 1607. This site is still the location to this day of the Hofbräuhaus beer hall. In 1610, in need of greater revenue, it was decreed that the beer from the Hofbräuhaus could be supplied to other taverns, who could now serve it not only to the royal household, but also to common people.

In 1828, when Munich's private brewers and tavern-owners complained that many ordinary citizens would like to enjoy the beer directly from the royal brewery like the public employees, Ludwig I issued a decree granting a license for the beer, as well as food, to be served publicly in the Hofbrauhaus - the Hofbrauhaus inn we know today was born.

In 1879, the brewery director, Johann Nepomuk Staubwasser, had the world-famous “HB” logo registered, first of all with the Munich District Court, and shortly after also with the Imperial Patents Office in Berlin, for use "solely by the Royal Hofbräuhaus Company in Munich". This was to stop other brewers plagiarising their beer and passing there own off as Hofbrau Beer.

In 1896 due to space shortages, it was decided to move the brewery part of the enterprise out of the Hofbräuhaus site at Platzl. A new brewery was built over the storage cellars on Innere Wiener Strasse, while the Inn remained on at Platzl.
Then between 1896 and 1897, due to the increasing visitor numbers it was decided to “modernize” the Hofbräuhaus inn so it was renovated and new design elements were introduced. The Hofbräuhaus as we know it today was reopened in 1897.

During the Second World War, The Hofbräuhaus was struck by bombs from aerial bombardments of Munich on 4 occasions. The first night it was struck was April 25th 1944. Much of the building was destroyed. But Valentin Emmert, the first Landlord after the war, began patching up the building in Autum 1945 and kept the restaurant going. In 1958, during Munich's 800th anniversary celebrations, the Reception Room was reopened, marking the completion of the renovation work.
In 1980, the Free State of Bavaria made plans to move the brewery to the outskirts of the city, and construction work began at a new location in the Munich suburb of Riem in September 1986. The new brewery was officially inaugurated on November 23, 1988.

It is one of the most modern breweries in Europe. But it still employs the brewing techniques that make Hofbrau the finest and most famous of Bavarian beer. This brewery is open for tours. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on the brewery tour.