Up The Garten Path

Celebrating their 200th anniversary this year, the bierg�rten of Munich are much-loved institutions. Plot a route to one for stein clinking and merriment

Featured January 12 Words by Tamara Hinson/Illustration: Marc Aspinall
Up The Garten Path

1 Augustiner Keller

One of the oldest beer gardens in Munich, dating back to 1812 when King Ludwig I first allowed Bavarian brewers to sell beers straight from their basements. The ground above was planted with chestnut and linden trees to help keep the vats cool, creating the beer gardens. This one is pretty much unchanged since its last renovation, back in 1896. augustinerkeller.de

2 L�wenbr�ukeller

Traditionalists will love the L�wenbr�u - located so close to the brewery you can smell the hops as you sip your beer. Rebuilt after a bombing raid in 1944, its capacity was reduced from 8,000 to a mere 1,000 - veritably cosy by Bavarian standards. Foodies should check out the Obatzda (locally made cheese spread) and fresh pretzels. loewenbraeukeller.com

3 Chinesischer Turm

Named for its location at the foot of the Chinese Tower in the picturesque Englischer Garten, this is one of the largest bierg�rten, with seats for 7,000. Proximity to the city's university means it attracts a younger crowd, but despite this, it remains one of the more traditional drinking spots - there's been an oompah band playing here at weekends since the 1800s. chinaturm.de

4 The Hofbr�ukeller

A calm alternative to the madness of the city centre, the Hofbr�ukeller, in the Haidhausen district has a playground and Kinderland daycare area, which make it ideal for families. With its thick canopy of chestnut trees and endless rows of benches - there's seating for 1,800 - it's a great place to hunker down over a brew. hofbraeukeller.de

5 Seehaus

At the upper end of the scale, the Seehaus can be a mite pricier than other gardens, but its location - on the banks of the swan-filled Kleinhesseloher See boating lake - makes it worth the splurge. The restaurant here is justly famous, serving up an inventive, seasonal menu, while the food stalls in the garden off er everything from Schweinshax'n (roasted pork knuckle) to spare ribs and meatballs. kuffler.de

6 Muffatwerk Biergarten

Something completely different - Mediterranean- inspired dishes instead of sausage-rich Bavarian fare, reggae rather than folk music - this garden is attached to the forward- thinking art and culture venue Muff atwerk. Beers include Lammsbr�u, an organic variety, and the garden is popular with cyclists due to its location on the Isar River cycle path. muffatwerk.de