Aufseß is a municipality in the Bayreuth district of Fränkische Schweiz. The municipality officially presents itself as a world record holder for the greatest brewery density per inhabitant. The four brewery inns are Rothenbach in Aufseß, Stadter in Sachsendorf, Reichold in Hochstahl and Kathi-Bräu in Heckenhof. The official Aufseßer Brauereienweg is a 14 km circular hiking route connecting all four stops.
Aufseß: Key Facts
- Population: 1,265, official figure as of 30 September 2025
- Brewery inns: 4
- World record: greatest brewery density per inhabitant, officially presented by the municipality as a Guinness record
- Region: Fränkische Schweiz, Bayreuth district, Upper Franconia
- Hiking trail: Aufseßer Brauereienweg, official 14 km circular route, about 4 hours walking time
What Makes Aufseß Special
Aufseß is not a large beer city like Bamberg. That is exactly what makes it special: four brewery inns are spread across the municipality, in Aufseß, Sachsendorf, Hochstahl and Heckenhof. The municipality of Aufseß officially calls itself a world record holder for the greatest brewery density per inhabitant.
The often repeated figure of four breweries for around 1,500 inhabitants belongs to the well-known world record story. The current official population is lower: BayernPortal lists Aufseß with 1,265 inhabitants as of 30 September 2025. For that reason, it is cleaner to mention the record and the current population separately instead of using one fixed old per-capita number.
The Four Brewery Inns
Brauereigasthof Rothenbach / Aufsesser Brauerei
Rothenbach is located in Aufseß itself. The inn is listed at Im Tal 70, 91347 Aufseß; the Aufsesser brewery is listed at Im Tal 70b. The brewery range includes Seidla Hell, Lager, Zwickl naturtrüb, Dunkel, Pils, Hefeweizen and bock beers. Please check current opening times for the inn, beer garden and beer sales directly with the business.
Brauereigasthof Stadter, Sachsendorf
Brauereigasthof Stadter is in Sachsendorf, Hauptstraße 26, 91347 Aufseß/Sachsendorf. Its own website names the house speciality as an amber-coloured Landbier on draught. Other beers such as Helles or wheat beer are listed as regional bottled beers, not as its own house beer. Please check current opening times directly with the inn.
Brauerei und Gasthof Reichold, Hochstahl
Reichold is located in Hochstahl, Hochstahl 24, 91347 Aufseß. The brewery lists Lager, Zwickl, Dunkel and Hefeweizen as its beers. Reichold also offers accommodation and a motorhome site directly on the Brauereienweg. Current opening times are listed on the business website, but should still be checked before the hike.
Kathi-Bräu, Heckenhof
Kathi-Bräu is located in Heckenhof, Heckenhof 1, 91347 Aufseß. The official website lists the 2026 season from 6 March with bock beer service and notes that the inn may close at short notice in bad weather. Beers mentioned include dark lager, bock beer and Kathi leicht. For a hiking day, Kathi-Bräu is an important stop, but opening times should be checked directly before setting off.
The Aufseßer Brauereienweg
The Aufseßer Brauereienweg is an officially marked circular hiking route by the municipality of Aufseß. It connects all four brewery inns: Rothenbach in Aufseß, Stadter in Sachsendorf, Reichold in Hochstahl and Kathi-Bräu in Heckenhof. The municipality gives the route as 14 km with about 4 hours walking time.
Route Data
- Distance: 14 km circular route
- Walking time: about 4 hours according to the municipality
- Brewery stops: 4 brewery inns
- Stages: Aufseß, Sachsendorf, Hochstahl, Heckenhof, back to Aufseß
- Start point: flexible because it is a circular route
- Important: check brewery inn opening times directly before visiting
Aufseß and the Fünf-Seidla-Steig: Comparison
| Aufseßer Brauereienweg | Fünf-Seidla-Steig | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 14 km according to the municipality | about 10 to 13 km depending on variant |
| Brewery stops | 4 | 5 |
| Character | World record municipality, very beer-focused | Classic beer hike around Gräfenberg and Weißenohe |
| Best for | If you want to visit all four world record brewery inns | If you want a well-known, established beer hiking route |
Getting to Aufseß
Aufseß lies in Fränkische Schweiz in the Bayreuth district. By public transport, the final leg is not always simple depending on the day and connection. Check connections to Aufseß or to the districts of Sachsendorf, Hochstahl and Heckenhof before travelling. Accommodation nearby, a taxi, a bicycle or a sober driver can be practical.
If you arrive by car, keep it simple: whoever drives does not drink. Especially on a route with four brewery inns, staying nearby or planning non-driving transport is the safer choice.
The main guide that fits this article
If you want to keep planning after this article, these overview guides are the fastest next step.
Start with the regions, brewery types, density and sensible first stops.
Open guide →Trip planningPlan a Franconia beer tripBamberg, Nuremberg, Franconian Switzerland and practical travel decisions.
Open guide →Beer knowledgeRecognize Franconian beer stylesKellerbier, Rauchbier, Zoigl, Rotbier and other styles explained clearly.
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