Beer Travels Day 2

“From a Bavarian breakfast feast to climbing a hill for mass at Kloster Andechs, sipping doppelbock with views of the Alps, and ending at the world’s largest biergarten — Day 2 was unforgettable.”

Day 2 – Herrsching, Kloster Andechs & The World’s Largest Biergarten 🍻

The day began with an incredible Bavarian breakfast spread at our hotel. Plates of sliced meats, cheeses, speck, eggs, granola, fresh-baked breads, pretzel croissants, and six different jams — the sour cherry was the standout. John especially enjoyed working his way through the sausages: Weißwurst, Frankfurter, and Nürnberger, while Greg leaned into the granola and baked goods (and sausages too). We both had bacon and coffee on a daliy basis ;) A hearty start for a big adventure.

We caught the S-Bahn train from Munich to Herrsching, a charming Bavarian town on the shores of Ammersee, about an hour away. From there, a short bus ride took us up toward Kloster Andechs, a Benedictine monastery perched on a hilltop with panoramic views.

We arrived barely in time to catch 9:30 mass in the monastery’s Baroque church — an experience made even more memorable after sprinting up the steep climb and entering the church out of breath. Afterward, we rewarded ourselves with drinks & lunch at the monastery’s biergartens, where we sampled the Andechser Helles (good, but not life-changing) and the legendary Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel, rich, malty, and absolutely world-class. Sitting on the patio with views of rolling hills, cows, and forest felt like a true Bavarian moment.

From there, we wandered to a smaller biergarten on the monastery grounds for Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Kellerbier, and Weissbier, with live music adding to the gemütlich atmosphere.

Back in Herrsching, we strolled the lakeside promenade and found the Hofbräu am Seehof, where we grabbed a lakeside table right on the shore of Ammersee. A liter of HB Helles never tasted better than with the mountain air and lake views.

En Route back to Munich, we made one more essential stop: the Hirschgarten. It's known as the world’s largest biergarten with space for over 8,000 guests. The place was packed! Once the hunting grounds of Bavarian royalty, it now features deer roaming in the adjacent park, brass band music, and an electric Sunday atmosphere with mostly locals and friendly people.

After a short U-bahn subway ride, the night wrapped up at Paulaner Nockherberg, the home of the iconic Salvator Doppelbock and the annual Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest). Sitting on the historic hill where monks once brewed their powerful Lent beers, we enjoyed a final Paulaner Helles before capping the night with an apple/pear schnapps back at the hotel lobby bar.

It was a day packed with Bavaria’s best — mountain monasteries, lakeside beers, the world’s largest biergarten, and the birthplace of Salvator. Prost! 🍻

📍 Map of Day 2 Stops - map here

• Herrsching am Ammersee

• Kloster Andechs

• Hofbräu Seehof Herrsching (Ammersee)

• Hirschgarten Biergarten

• Paulaner Nockherberg

🍺 Beer Highlights – Day 2

• Andechser Helles – crisp, refreshing, classic but overshadowed by its bigger sibling

• Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel – legendary, rich, malty, unforgettable

• Andechser Kellerbier & Weissbier – rustic and lively with live music at the smaller biergarten

• Hofbräu Helles (ein Maß) – lakeside liter, perfect setting

• Hirschgarten Augustiner Helles – biergarten classic, enjoyed with thousands of others in the world’s biggest garden

• Paulaner Helles – smooth and malty, enjoyed at the historic Nockherberg brewery

🍺 Best Beer Of Day 2 - Andecher Dopplebock Dunkel

• The world-famous Bockbier from the Holy Mountain in Bavaria wants to be savoured rather than downed. Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel stands firm as a rock upon the table, its colour reminiscent of dark copper with hints of fiery red. Its bright, clear appearance harmonises with a firm, fine-pored foam.

• It is a special treat even for the nose: Soft roasted notes and a touch of dried fruit accompany an accentuated caramel aroma. Doppelbock Dunkel from the Holy Mountain of Bavaria is pleasantly sparkling in its presentation. The taste is unmistakable: Full-bodied and velvety, strong but with a pleasant malt aroma – powerful and lusty. It has a readily discernible sweetness accompanied by roasted cocoa notes and a slight hop bitterness.

• With a strong finish, the Doppelbock ends on a lasting semisweet chocolate note. A mighty Doppelbock that lets you savour and enjoy the centuries-old Benedictine brewing tradition one sip at a time.