Forchheim has four active breweries in its city centre: Neder (since 1554, Forchheim's oldest), Hebendanz (since 1579), Greif (since 1848), and Eichhorn (brewing rights since 1783, continued under the Eichhorn name by Braumanufaktur Hertl since 2022). Better known than the breweries themselves is the Forchheimer Kellerwald with 23 beer cellars — the venue for the Annafest.
At a Glance
- ~31,000 inhabitants, 25 km south of Bamberg
- Kellerwald: over 20 cellars on the Kellerberg hill, all walkable from the old town
- Annafest: late July / early August, since 1840
- By rail: 10 min from Bamberg, 25 min from Nuremberg
The Kellerwald
The Kellerwald — literally "cellar forest" — is a wooded hill above Forchheim's old town where over 20 beer cellars are built into the hillside. In summer, several open simultaneously: outdoor benches under old trees, beer drawn direct from the cellars, the occasional Brotzeit. It is one of the densest concentrations of active beer cellars in Germany, all walkable from the town centre in about fifteen minutes.
Each cellar belongs to a different brewery. That means different beers at every stop — a contrast to most beer garden formats that serve a single brand.
The Breweries
Brauerei Neder
One of the best-known Forchheim breweries, with a large cellar on the Kellerberg and a pub in the city. The Lagerbier is reliable; the Kellerbier in summer is better. One of the main sponsors of the Annafest.
Brauerei Hebendanz
Less well-known than Neder, preferred by many locals. The Märzen is full-bodied and clean. Another family-run operation that has been producing here for generations.
Brauerei Eichhorn
A smaller brewery at the edge of the Kellerwald. The beer is solid; the atmosphere is quieter than the larger cellars — useful if you want to avoid the height of the Annafest crowd.
The Annafest
The Annafest has taken place every year since 1840 — late July, early August, ten days in the Kellerwald. It is one of the oldest folk festivals in Germany and one of the most genuinely Franconian. Unlike tent-based festivals, the Annafest happens entirely in the open air, in the cellars and on the slopes of the Kellerberg.
There are fairground rides, music, food — but the heart of the event is the Keller. Up to ten breweries open simultaneously during the festival period.
Annafest — Practical
- Dates: last Friday in July to second Monday in August
- Location: Kellerwald, Forchheim (15 min walk from old town)
- Entry: free — beer costs money, fairground rides extra
- Accommodation: book early — the town fills up
- Transport: train recommended, parking is difficult
Forchheim as a Base
Forchheim makes an excellent base for exploring the wider region. Bamberg is 10 minutes by train; Ebermannstadt and Fränkische Schweiz are 20 minutes. The Fünf-Seidla-Steig and the Aufseßer Brauereienweg are both accessible from here by local transport or rental car.