Ordering Beer In Austria: A Quick Guide

Austria has a diverse beer culture, with a wide range of styles available, from light beers to alcohol-free options and craft beers. The country has around 70 breweries, microbrewers, and brewpubs, with the greatest concentration found in Oberösterreich. When ordering a beer in Austria, you can expect to come across a variety of local and national beers, with little demand for imported options. Popular styles include Märzen, a slightly malty, golden beer, and Pils, a pale yellow, aromatic hop flavour that is often served on draught.

Popular beer types in Austria

Austria has a strong beer culture, with the average Austrian consuming over 100 litres of beer per year. The country has many small breweries, although a few large breweries dominate the market. Beer is typically served in either a Krügel (0.5 litres) or a Seidl (0.3 litres), which are both tall and slender glasses with a handle on the side.

The most common beer in Austria is Märzen, a full-bodied lager with a mildly bitter taste and around 5% alcohol content. It is available in most bars throughout the country and is probably the default beer on tap.

Vienna lagers, also known as amber lagers, are rich and big-bodied. They are traditionally served in large dimpled mugs. Despite the name, they have fallen out of favour among Viennese beer drinkers.

Stiegl, founded in 1492, is one of the most common beer brands in Austria. The brewery is based in Salzburg and has a large museum of beer and beer-making on the outskirts of the city. Stiegl brews a range of beers, including a helles (a light lager), a weissbier (hefeweizen), and a grapefruit radler.

Ottakringer is Vienna's big local brewery, located in the 16th district since 1837. It has earned somewhat of a cult status, with one of their canned variants named "16er-Blech" (as Ottakring is the 16th district of Vienna, and "Blech" is slang for a tin can). The brewery also has its own craft beer range under the BrauWerk label. Popular beers by Ottakringer include Ottakringer Helles, Ottakringer Wiener Original (a Vienna-style lager), and Ottakringer Citrus Radler.

Other popular beers in Austria include Egger Märzenbier, a mild and hoppy beer brewed by the Egger brewery; Weizenbier (wheat beer), which is the most popular type of beer in the Salzburg region; and various craft beers from breweries such as Bevog and 1516 Brewing Company.

Austrian breweries and brands

Austria is home to a wide variety of breweries and beer brands. The country features many small breweries, though a few large breweries dominate the market. One of the most common beers in Austria is Märzen.

Starkenberger

Starkenberger is a family-owned brewery located in Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The brewery has been in business for 16 generations and offers a range of beers, including a popular "dark" beer.

Frastanzer Brauerei

Frastanzer Brauerei is a small brewery located in Frastanz, Austria. They offer tours of their premises, and visitors can also enjoy a wide selection of beers, many of which are brewed in-house.

Ottakringer

Ottakringer is Vienna's big local brewery, located in the working-class 16th district since 1837. The brewery has earned a cult following, particularly for its canned beers, and hosts its own popular beer events and summer-long festivals. Ottakringer also has its own craft beer range under the BrauWerk label.

Mohrenbrauerei

Established in 1834, Mohrenbrauerei is Vorarlberg's oldest brewery and a market leader in the region. The brewery has faced some controversy due to its name and logo, which some consider racially stereotyped. However, the company maintains that the name and logo refer to the original brewery founder, Josef Mohr.

Gösser

Gösser is a well-known brewery in Styria, located in the southern part of Austria.

Stiegl

Stiegl is a popular brewery located in Salzburg, known for its Weizenbier (wheat beer).

In addition to these larger breweries, Austria also has a flourishing craft beer scene, with many small, independent breweries offering unique and innovative beers.

Austrian beer festivals

Austria is known for its town fests, which typically include good music, food, and local beers. If you're looking for a beer festival to attend in Austria, there are several options to consider.

One option is to check out the local town fests. These festivals usually feature local beers, food, and music. They are a great way to experience Austrian culture and traditions. While the town fests are not exclusively beer festivals, they offer a variety of beers along with other attractions.

For those interested in a more dedicated beer festival, there are a few options in Austria and nearby countries. The Berlin Beer Festival, held in August, features the longest beer garden in the world. The Bruges Beer Festival, taking place in February, brings together over 70 breweries and 300 varieties of beer. The Belgian Beer Weekend is another popular festival, celebrating the Belgian and Brussels beer tradition. If you're open to travelling across the border, the Duckstein Beer Festival in Hamburg combines beer with music, design, international street theatre, and fine dining.

In addition to these, there are other festivals in Austria that may include beer among other offerings. The Whitsun Festival in Salzburg in May, the Bregenzer Festspiele in July-August, and Rupert's Fair in Salzburg in September are some examples. These festivals feature music, opera, orchestra concerts, processions, and fireworks, along with food and drinks.

Lastly, for wine enthusiasts, there are numerous wine festivals in and around Austria, including the Vienna Wine Hiking Days in October, where vineyards open their doors to the public for hiking and sampling.

When planning your trip, remember to verify the festival dates on the official websites or with local tourist information offices, as dates may change.

Beer in Vienna

Vienna has a strong beer culture, with the average Austrian consuming over 100 litres of beer each year. The city has a flourishing craft beer scene, and you can find plenty of small and private breweries and specialty beers. The biggest brands in Vienna include Ottakringer, Stiegl, Zipfer, and Gösser, but you can also find smaller breweries and craft beers to explore.

When ordering a beer in Vienna, it's important to note that most cafes, bars, and restaurants are table service only. Ordering from the counter can be considered rude, and you may be expected to wait to be seated. Beer generally comes in two sizes: a “Krügel" or "grosses Bier" (large beer) which is 0.5 litres, and a "Seidl" or "kleines Bier" (small beer) which is 0.3 litres. If you're looking to sample a variety of beers, smaller sizes such as the Pfiff (0.2 litres) may be available.

Some notable spots to try craft beer in Vienna include Mel's Craft Beers & Diner, which offers over 400 sorts of craft beer from around the world, and the slightly hidden Hawidere, known for its delicious burgers and vast craft beer collection. If you're interested in trying local beers, Brendl in the Leopoldstadt district serves lesser-known Austrian beers, including Schlägl beer from the only abbey brewery in Austria. For a traditional experience, Fischer Bräu, Vienna's oldest brewpub, offers a range of beers, including Helles and Weizen, as well as special beers like Honey Ale, Stout, and Chocolate Ale.

With so many options available, you're sure to find a beer to suit your taste in Vienna.

Ordering beer in Austria as a non-native speaker

Austria has a lot to offer when it comes to beer. The country has around 70 breweries, microbrewers, and brewpubs, with new ones opening up every year. The biggest concentration of breweries is in Oberösterreich, which makes sense given its proximity to Bavaria. Austrian beer comes in a variety of styles, from light (Leichtbier) and alcohol-free (alkoholfrei) to Bockbier, a dark beer perfect for a cold winter's night.

When ordering a beer in Austria, it's helpful to know some basic German phrases, especially if you're visiting a smaller town or a more traditional bar. Here are some useful phrases to keep in mind:

• "Ein Bier, bitte" ("A beer, please") – This is the most basic way to order a beer.
• "Welche Biere haben Sie?" ("What beers do you have?") – This is a good question to ask if you want to know about the bar's selection.
• "Ein helles Bier, bitte" ("A light-colored beer, please") – If you're looking for a typical Austrian beer, asking for a "helles" beer is a safe bet.
• "Ein lokales Bier, bitte" ("A local beer, please") – Austrians tend to stick to their own regional and national beers, so ordering a local beer is often a good choice.
• "Ein Craft-Bier, bitte" ("A craft beer, please") – Austria has a growing craft beer scene, so you might come across some unique and innovative brews.

If you're in Vienna, you'll find a flourishing craft beer scene with options like California Common, American Pale Ale, IPA, Pale Ale, Lager, Porter, and Cascadian Ale. Ottakringer is Vienna's big local brewery, and they also have their own craft beer range under the BrauWerk label.

When it comes to paying for your beer, it's always a good idea to have some small bills or coins as some establishments may not accept large denominations. And don't forget to enjoy your beer responsibly!

Frequently asked questions