Nuremberg is not a brewery city like Bamberg, but it has its own beer identity: Nuremberg Rotbier, a copper-coloured, malty beer brewed to a historic recipe at the Hausbrauerei Altstadthof (founded 1984, Bergstraße 19). The city's large breweries — primarily Tucher, founded 1672 — belong to corporate groups; the Altstadthof is the most interesting independent address.
Nuremberg Beer — At a Glance
- Independent brewing history since the Middle Ages — not part of the Bavarian mainstream
- Rotbier (red beer) is the historic Nuremberg beer style — copper-red, malt-forward
- Altstadthof still brews a historic Rotbier after old recipes
- Nuremberg Volksfest (late August / early September) — one of Bavaria's major folk festivals
- Nuremberg Rostbratwurst: protected geographical indication, only produced in the city
Nuremberg's Beer History
Nuremberg was one of the most powerful free imperial cities of the Holy Roman Empire. The city brewed its own beer, under its own rules, with its own character — and that character was Rotbier: an amber to mahogany-coloured, top-fermented beer that predates the Bavarian lager tradition by centuries. The Rotbier was the standard beer of the burghers and merchants of the Reichsstadt.
With industrialisation, bottom-fermented lager dominated and the Rotbier tradition was nearly lost. But not entirely. The Altstadthof in Nuremberg's old town still brews a historic Rotbier after traditional recipes. It is the most important beer to order when visiting Nuremberg.
Brauerei Altstadthof
A brew pub in Nuremberg's historic old town, with a show brewery and taproom. The Rotbier is the flagship — copper-coloured, malt-forward, gently sweet. About 10 minutes' walk from the main market square.
Address: Bergstraße 19, 90403 Nuremberg
The Nuremberg Volksfest
The Nuremberg Volksfest takes place in late August to early September on the Volksfestplatz at the Dutzendteich. It is one of the largest folk festivals in Bavaria — a traditional beer-tent Volksfest with Franconian breweries, distinctly different in character from the Oktoberfest. It is well-known within Bavaria and the region; less internationally known than Munich's festival, but a major event by any measure.
Nuremberg Volksfest
- Termin: Late August to early September
- Location: Volksfestplatz, Dutzendteich, Nuremberg-Langwasser
- Transport: U-Bahn line 1 (Messegelände)
- Character: Traditional Bavarian Volksfest with Franconian breweries
Nuremberg as a Base
Nuremberg has the largest hotel supply of any Franconian city and excellent rail connections. Bamberg is 50 minutes away by fast train. Forchheim and Fränkische Schweiz are 25–40 minutes by regional train. The entire Franconian brewing map is accessible from here — by train or rental car.