Munich Has 51 Active Breweries

In 1829, Munich had 51 active breweries, reflecting the extraordinary density and economic importance of brewing in the Bavarian capital. Their production still followed the seasonal rhythm created by Bavaria’s summer brewing prohibition: beer could be brewed only during the cooler months between September 29 and April 23. Brewers therefore had to produce and store enough beer before the prohibition began to supply the city throughout the warm season. During the approximately 23 weeks in which brewing was prohibited, the stored beer was released from Munich’s cellars according to a regulated sequence. With 51 breweries operating in the city, more than two cellars had to be emptied during an average week. The order in which the cellars were opened was determined by lottery, and another drawing took place only after the previously selected cellar had been completely emptied. The practice illustrates how closely Munich’s beer supply was organized around seasonal brewing and cellar storage before artificial refrigeration made year-round production possible.