German Beer Types: All 11 Styles Explained

Germany brews around 6,000 different beers, but most full-strength German beers belong to one of 11 beer types. Know these and you’ll know what to expect from almost any German label in an Australian bottle shop.

Click a type for the full guide: its history, how it tastes, the right glass and serving temperature, food pairings, and the German beer brands that brew it.

The 11 German beer types

1. 01PilsnerPilsCrisp, pale and hoppy4.5–5.2% · Bottom-fermented
2. 02HellesHelles LagerMunich’s soft golden lager4.7–5.4% · Bottom-fermented
3. 03ExportExport / Dortmunder ExportFuller, stronger golden lager5.0–5.6% · Bottom-fermented
4. 04MärzenMärzen / OktoberfestbierThe amber Oktoberfest beer5.5–6.3% · Bottom-fermented
5. 05Dark LagerDunkel / Dunkles LagerbierMunich’s original dark lager4.5–5.6% · Bottom-fermented
6. 06Black BeerSchwarzbierLooks like a stout, drinks like a lager4.4–5.4% · Bottom-fermented
7. 07KölschCologne’s protected golden ale4.4–5.2% · Top-fermented
8. 08Wheat BeerWeizenbier / WeissbierCloudy, fruity and refreshing4.9–5.6% · Top-fermented
9. 09Bock BeerBockbierStrong, rich and malty6–8%+ (Doppelbock 7–8.5%) · Bottom-fermented
10. 10Wheat BockWeizenbockStrong wheat beer with dark fruit6.5–8.5% · Top-fermented
11. 11Ice BockEisbockFrozen to make it stronger9–14% · Bottom-fermented

Lager or ale? How German beer types are grouped

German beer types are split by the yeast they are fermented with:

• Bottom-fermented (lager): Fermented cold, then stored (“lagered”) for weeks. Clean, crisp flavours. This group covers Pilsner, Helles, Export, Märzen, Dunkel, Schwarzbier, Bock and Eisbock.
• Top-fermented (ale): Fermented warmer, with fruitier, spicier flavours. This group covers wheat beer, Weizenbock and Kölsch.

Almost all of them are brewed according to the German Purity Law of 1516, using only water, malt, hops and yeast. Our guide to German beer brewing explains the process.

Which German beer type should I try?

• You drink Australian lager: Start with a Helles for something softer, or a Pilsner for something crisper and more bitter.
• You like hoppy pale ales: Try a bitter northern Pilsner such as Jever.
• You want something fruity and refreshing: Go for a wheat beer such as Weihenstephaner or Paulaner.
• You’re heading to Oktoberfest: Get to know Märzen and Festbier. Our Oktoberfest in Australia guide lists every event.
• You like dark beer but not heavy stouts: Try Schwarzbier or Dunkel.
• You want something strong for winter: Pick a Doppelbock, a Weizenbock or, if you can find one, an Eisbock.
• You’d rather skip the alcohol: See our alcohol-free German beers.

Where to buy German beer in Australia

Pilsner, Helles and wheat beer are easy to find at Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor. For Kölsch, Schwarzbier, Export and Eisbock, you’ll usually need a specialist bottle shop. Our top 20 German beer brands show which brands are easy to find, and our city guides for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide list the best bottle shops and beer halls.

Each type also has its own glass. See our guide to German beer glasses.

German beer types FAQ

What is the most popular beer type in Germany?

Pilsner is by far the most popular German beer type, making up around half of all beer sold in Germany. In Bavaria, Helles and wheat beer are the local favourites.

What is the difference between Weissbier and Weizenbier?

None. Both names mean wheat beer. Weissbier (“white beer”) is used mostly in Bavaria, Weizenbier (“wheat beer”) in the rest of Germany. See our wheat beer guide.

Which German beer type is the strongest?

Eisbock is the strongest traditional German beer type, usually 9–14% ABV, followed by Doppelbock and Weizenbock at around 7–8.5%.

What German beer is served at Oktoberfest?

The Munich Oktoberfest serves a golden Festbier of around 6% from the six Munich breweries. Outside Munich, “Oktoberfest beer” often means the traditional amber Märzen.