- Founded
- 1383
- Brewed in
- Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- Owner
- AB InBev (Spaten-Löwenbräu)
- Known for
- Helles, Oktoberfest beer
- Try first
- Löwenbräu Original
- In Australia
- Stocked by most big Australian bottle shop chains, such as Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Liquorland.
- Official site
- loewenbraeu.de
Löwenbräu, “lion brew”, is one of Munich’s great old breweries and a symbol of the Oktoberfest. In Australia, it is also the beer behind one of the country’s best-known German beer halls.
The story of Löwenbräu
Löwenbräu traces its history back to 1383, making it one of Munich’s oldest breweries. By the late 19th century it was one of the largest breweries in the city and among the first German beers to be exported around the world.
In 1997 Löwenbräu merged with fellow Munich brewery Spaten, and today both are owned by AB InBev. Löwenbräu is still brewed in Munich and is one of the six breweries allowed to pour at the Oktoberfest, in the Löwenbräu tent and the Schützen-Festzelt.
Löwenbräu beers to try
- Löwenbräu Original (5.2%): A golden Munich Helles. Smooth, lightly malty and very easy to drink.
- Löwenbräu Oktoberfestbier (about 6.1%): The stronger, fuller festival beer, released each year around September.
What does Löwenbräu taste like?
Löwenbräu Original is a soft, rounded lager with honeyed malt and only a gentle hop bitterness. It is less bitter than a northern pilsner such as Beck’s or Jever. Drink it from a Maß stein if you want the full beer hall experience.
Food pairing: Pork knuckle, roast chicken, pretzels with Obatzda cheese dip, and a classic Aussie snag in bread.
Where to buy and drink Löwenbräu in Australia
- Munich Brauhaus in Melbourne (South Wharf) pours Löwenbräu in a 900-seat riverside beer hall. Its Sydney sister in The Rocks, the former Löwenbräu Keller, serves German beer by the litre. Both run big Oktoberfest celebrations
- Dan Murphy’s, BWS and other bottle shop chains often stock Löwenbräu Original in bottles and cans
Compare prices in our German beer prices guide, or browse the German beer halls worth a visit.
Löwenbräu FAQs
Where can I drink Löwenbräu in Australia?
Munich Brauhaus at South Wharf in Melbourne, a 900-seat riverside beer hall, pours Löwenbräu. In Sydney, Munich Brauhaus in The Rocks was formerly the Löwenbräu Keller. Löwenbräu Original is also sold at many Australian bottle shops.
How do you pronounce Löwenbräu?
Say it “LER-ven-broy”. Löwe is German for lion and Bräu means brew, so the name means “lion brew”. Australians often search for it as “Lowenbrau” or “Loewenbraeu”.
Is Löwenbräu at Oktoberfest?
Yes. Löwenbräu is one of the six Munich breweries allowed to serve at the Munich Oktoberfest, where its tent is easy to spot by the giant lion on top that roars and drinks from a stein.
How strong is Löwenbräu Original?
Löwenbräu Original is 5.2% ABV. The seasonal Oktoberfestbier is stronger, at about 6.1%.
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