- Founded
- 1817
- Brewed in
- Bitburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Owner
- Simon family (Bitburger Braugruppe)
- Known for
- Pilsner, Alcohol-free
- Try first
- Bitburger Premium Pils
- In Australia
- Usually in larger stores such as Dan Murphy’s and First Choice Liquor, and at good independent bottle shops.
- Beer types
- Pilsner
- Official site
- bitburger.com
Bitburger is the pilsner Germans order at the bar when they ask for “a Bit”. It is one of the country’s most popular draught beers and a reliable choice in Australian bottle shops.
The story of Bitburger
Johann Peter Wallenborn founded the brewery in 1817 in Bitburg, a small town in the Eifel hills near the Luxembourg border. In 1883 it started brewing a pilsner, at a time when most German breweries still made darker beers, and that pilsner went on to make its name.
The brewery is still run by the founder’s descendants, the Simon family. Its parent company, the Bitburger Braugruppe, also owns Köstritzer, the black beer from Thuringia. Bitburger is a major sponsor of German football and the official beer of the German national team.
Bitburger beers to try
- Bitburger Premium Pils (4.8%): Pale gold, crisp and dry with a fine hop bitterness.
- Bitburger 0.0%: An alcohol-free pilsner. More options are in our alcohol-free German beers guide.
What does Bitburger taste like?
Bitburger Premium Pils is clean and light-bodied, with a soft malt base, a gentle grassy aroma and a refreshing bitter finish. It is slightly softer than Jever but drier than a Munich Helles. Serve it very cold, ideally in a tulip-shaped pilsner glass.
Food pairing: Bratwurst, fish and chips, oysters, salt and pepper squid and anything fried.
Where to buy Bitburger in Australia
- Dan Murphy’s and First Choice Liquor carry Bitburger Premium Pils in bottles and cans
- Independent bottle shops with a European range, such as those on our Sydney, Melbourne and Perth pages
See what to expect at the till in our German beer prices guide, or compare it with fellow pilsners Krombacher and Warsteiner.
Bitburger FAQs
Can you buy Bitburger in Australia?
Yes. Bitburger Premium Pils is sold at larger Australian bottle shops such as Dan Murphy’s and at independent stores with an imported range. Bitburger 0.0% alcohol-free is also available.
What does “Bitte ein Bit” mean?
“Bitte ein Bit” means “A Bit, please”. It is Bitburger’s famous advertising slogan, and ordering “a Bit” is how many Germans ask for a Bitburger at the bar.
How strong is Bitburger?
Bitburger Premium Pils is 4.8% ABV. Bitburger 0.0% has no alcohol.
Who owns Bitburger?
Bitburger is still owned by the Simon family, descendants of the brewery’s founder. Its parent company, the Bitburger Braugruppe, also owns Köstritzer and other German brands.
← Back to all German beer brands · Ranked #8 in our list. Last updated 2 October 2026.