Forchheim currently has three clearly active city breweries: Neder, Hebendanz and Greif. Eichhorn is historically important to Forchheim beer culture, but it no longer operates as an independent brewery in Forchheim after 2022; the brand and beers such as Eichhorn Annafestbier are continued by Braumanufaktur Hertl. Even better known than the breweries themselves is the Forchheimer Kellerwald with 23 managed beer cellars, the heart of the Annafest.
At a Glance
- 33,250 inhabitants, official figure as of 30 September 2025
- Large district town in Upper Franconia, between Nuremberg, Erlangen and Bamberg
- Active city breweries: Neder, Hebendanz and Greif
- Historic brand: Eichhorn, continued by Braumanufaktur Hertl since 2022
- Kellerwald: 23 managed beer cellars according to the city of Forchheim
- Annafest: late July to early August in the Forchheim Kellerwald
- Rail: good connections to Nuremberg, Bamberg and Ebermannstadt, but check exact times before travelling
The Kellerwald
The Kellerwald sits above Forchheim’s old town. The city of Forchheim describes it as an exceptional combination of historic beer cellars, brewing tradition and living festival culture. With 23 managed beer cellars, it shapes the city’s cultural life and is often described as the living room of Forchheim.
The Kellerwald is not one single beer garden. It is a whole cellar hill. Benches, trees, cellar taverns and serving areas sit close together. Some cellars open regularly, others are more seasonal or only open at certain times. As with all Franconian Keller: check which cellar is actually open before visiting.
The concentration is the special part. You can walk from the old town to the Kellerwald and compare several beer cellars without planning a long route. That is what makes Forchheim so strong for beer travellers.
The Breweries
Brauerei Neder
Neder is Forchheim’s oldest still-existing brewery. The brewery itself states 1554 as its first documented mention. It is located at Sattlertorstraße 10. Beers include Schwarze Anna, Neder Klassik Hell 1554, Export, Premium-Pils, Keller Bier and Anna-Weisse, plus seasonal beers.
For visitors, Neder is one of the key beer addresses in town, especially because the brewery and tavern are close to Forchheim’s old town. Check current opening hours directly before visiting.
Brauerei Hebendanz
Hebendanz is located at Sattlertorstraße 14 and is described as a long-established Forchheim brewery dating back to 1579. Known beers include Export Hell, Edel-Pils, Märzen Gold, Posthalter Lager and seasonal beers such as Annafestbier, Fastenbock and Weihnachtsbock.
Hebendanz is less tourist-facing than the Kellerwald itself, but important for Forchheim beer culture: local brewery, local drinkers, clear Franconian beer style.
Brauerei Greif
Greif is located at Serlbacher Straße 10. Bierland Franken dates the brewery’s beginning to the revolutionary year 1848. The brewery itself confirms its Forchheim address and brewery opening hours on its website. Greif is very present in Forchheim and the surrounding district, including beer served in the Kellerwald.
Greif is not a polished craft-beer address. It is a solid Forchheim brewery with a clear regional character. To understand Forchheim, treat Greif not just as Kellerwald beer, but as an everyday beer of the city.
Eichhorn and Braumanufaktur Hertl
Eichhorn is historically important to Forchheim, but should no longer be described as an active Forchheim city brewery. Brauerei Eichhorn stopped brewing in 2022. The brand was taken over and continued by Braumanufaktur Hertl. Hertl now sells beers including Eichhorn Annafestbier.
The clean wording is: Eichhorn is an important historical name in Forchheim beer culture, but no longer an independent active brewing operation in Forchheim.
More Cellars in the Kellerwald
The Kellerwald is not only about the city breweries. Depending on cellar and season, different regional beers are served on the hill, some from Forchheim breweries, some from breweries in the surrounding area. During Annafest, the area is especially busy; outside the festival, opening depends strongly on season, weekday and weather.
If you want to visit a specific cellar, do not rely only on old blog posts. Check the current website, Google listing or social media page of that Keller.
The Annafest
The Annafest takes place in the Forchheimer Kellerwald and is one of Franconia’s major folk festivals. Heimatverein Forchheim gives 1840 as the beginning of the Annafest in the Kellerwald. Today the festival lasts around eleven days, with beer cellars, music, rides, food and plenty of Forchheim summer atmosphere.
For 2026, online sources differ slightly: the official Annafest page lists 25 July to 3 August 2026, while Forchheimer Kulturservice lists 24 July to 3 August 2026. If you are booking accommodation or travel, check the final dates again on the official page before booking.
Annafest Practical Notes
- 2026 dates: 24/25 July to 3 August, depending on source, check final date
- Location: Kellerwald Forchheim, Auf den Kellern
- Character: open-air Kellerwald folk festival with beer cellars, music, food and rides
- Entry: free, food, beer and rides cost extra
- Accommodation: book early, Forchheim fills up during Annafest
- Transport: train recommended, parking can be difficult
Forchheim as a Base
Forchheim is not only a day-trip stop. It is also a good base for exploring Fränkische Schweiz. Bamberg, Erlangen, Nuremberg and Ebermannstadt are reachable by train, and from Ebermannstadt you continue towards Wiesenttal and Fränkische Schweiz. Always check exact travel times before setting off, because construction work and timetable changes can matter.
| Destination | From Forchheim | Why Go |
|---|---|---|
| Bamberg | direct rail connections, often quick | day trip for smoked beer and old town |
| Ebermannstadt | RB 22 or bus connections, check timetable | gateway towards Fränkische Schweiz |
| Hallerndorf / Kreuzberg | by car or VGN bus from Forchheim, check timetable | beer cellars and breweries in the surrounding area |
| Gößweinstein | by car or bus connection, check timetable | Fränkische Schweiz, landscape and pilgrimage town |
Main guides for this topic
If you want to keep planning after this article, these overview guides are the fastest next step.
What a cellar is, when the season works and what to check before visiting.
Open guide →RoutesPlan beer hikesRoutes, distances, return logistics and common planning mistakes clearly sorted.
Open guide →Trip planningPlan a Franconia beer tripBamberg, Nuremberg, Franconian Switzerland and practical travel decisions.
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