- Founded
- 1328
- Brewed in
- Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- Owner
- Edith-Haberland-Wagner Foundation (majority)
- Known for
- Helles, Märzen, Hefeweizen, Doppelbock
- Try first
- Augustiner Lagerbier Hell
- In Australia
- Mainly at specialist and independent bottle shops with a strong imported range; big chains carry it only now and then.
- Beer types
- Helles, Export, Märzen, Wheat Beer, Bock Beer
- Official site
- augustiner-braeu.de
Ask a Munich local for their favourite beer and there’s a good chance they’ll say Augustiner. The city’s oldest independent brewery does no advertising, yet its green-labelled bottles have a cult following around the world.
The story of Augustiner
Augustiner was founded in 1328 by Augustinian monks in their monastery near Munich’s cathedral. After the monastery was dissolved in 1803, the brewery passed into private hands and moved to its current site on Landsberger Straße in the 19th century.
Today the majority of the brewery is owned by the Edith-Haberland-Wagner Foundation, set up by a descendant of the brewing family, which supports charitable causes in Munich. Augustiner is the only Munich brewery that has never been taken over by a big brewing group, and it is one of the six breweries at the Oktoberfest.
Augustiner beers to try
- Lagerbier Hell (5.2%): The cult classic. Pale, soft and dangerously drinkable.
- Edelstoff (5.6%): A slightly stronger, brighter export lager with a little more hop.
- Weissbier (about 5.4%): A fruity, traditional Bavarian wheat beer.
- Oktoberfestbier (about 6.3%): Sold only around Oktoberfest time.
- Maximator (about 7.5%): A dark, rich doppelbock for winter.
What does Augustiner taste like?
Augustiner Hell is the definition of a Munich Helles: very pale, with soft bready malt, a delicate hop aroma and a clean, slightly sweet finish. Edelstoff is livelier and more aromatic. Neither is bitter, which is why they are so easy to drink.
Food pairing: Hell with Weisswurst, roast chicken and pretzels. Edelstoff with grilled fish and salads. Maximator with roast pork and dark bread.
Where to buy Augustiner in Australia
Augustiner is one to hunt for:
- Specialist bottle shops with a large German or European range are the most reliable source. See our Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide pages
- Big chains stock it only occasionally, so ask in store
If you can’t find it, a fresh Spaten or Löwenbräu Helles is a good stand-in.
Augustiner FAQs
Can you buy Augustiner beer in Australia?
Augustiner is harder to find in Australia than most Munich brands because the brewery does not advertise and exports only small amounts. Look for it at specialist bottle shops with a strong German range. Big chains carry it only occasionally.
Why is Augustiner so popular in Munich?
Augustiner is Munich’s oldest independent brewery and has a reputation for doing things the traditional way. It doesn’t advertise, still serves beer from wooden barrels at the Oktoberfest, and its Lagerbier Hell is the locals’ favourite.
Is Augustiner at Oktoberfest?
Yes. Augustiner is one of the six Munich breweries at the Oktoberfest. It is the only one that still taps its beer from traditional wooden barrels, called Hirschen, in its festival tent.
How strong is Augustiner Hell?
Augustiner Lagerbier Hell is 5.2% ABV. Edelstoff is 5.6%, the Oktoberfestbier about 6.3% and the Maximator Doppelbock about 7.5%.
← Back to all German beer brands · Ranked #14 in our list. Last updated 2 October 2026.