"Germany’s Big Beer Bash Each fall, crowds of partygoers at Munich ’s Oktoberfest lift steins of golden beer skyward and bellow “Prosit!” The German holiday began more than 200 years ago at the marriage celebration of Bavarian Crown Prince Louis and Princess Therese. Many of the locally brewed beers served at today’s festivities are also rooted in history. Lagers such as Hacker-Pschorr’s Oktoberfest Märzen adhere to traditional Bavarian purity laws that allow only water, barley, yeast, and hops. Revelers fortify themselves with grilled bratwurst, salt-dusted pretzels, and roast chicken while they watch men dressed in lederhosen (leather shorts) twirl ladies to the oompah of brass bands. The holiday has become wildly popular outside Germany , but the largest celebration, which attracted more than 5 million attendees in 2011, still occurs on the original wedding fields in Munich , in late September and early October."

"Hofbrauhaus: Don't Forget to Eat As Well! Germans, especially Bavarians (who are or are not Germans, depending on whom you talk to) love eating their meat and potatoes. While there, I went for a giant joint of pork with kartoffel (potato) salad. Nobody does fresh potato salad better. Sure, the famous Hofbrauhaus in Munich is a great place to sit with friends and try to avoid spraining your wrist as you suck down liter glasses of beer, but it's also a great place to eat. Filling up helps you enjoy the beer even more and fights off the eventual intoxication as well."

"Spiritual Beer Drinking Andechs Monastery is Bavaria's oldest pilgrimage Church, attracting over 30,000 pilgrims each year. Fortunately, you don't have to be a pilgrim to reach it. You can just hop on a train from Munich . Then either take a bus, or a walk up the hill for those who want to experience a little part of the pilgrimage. You can stop at the church to repent your sins, or to simply view the elaborate decor. Most people have a quick look, then head straight to the 3500 person beer garden to indulge in a Maß - that's a 1-litre mug of beer! Brewed by the resident Benedictine monks it's some of the finest beer in all of Bavaria. It should come as no surprise of how good the beer is. The monks had lots of practice, they've been doing it for over 900 years! This is beer you can actually feel good about drinking because the brewery supports the monastery financially. Amen for beer!"

"Beer with a View of the Bavarian Opera House Located directly across from the opera house, Spatenhaus an der Oper has two options for guests. The first floor has a homey feel with recipes prepared from old Bavarian cook books honouring tradition. The real highlight though is the second floor, which is divided into several smaller rooms and offers finer dining - to match the views of the elegant opera house."

"Bustling Tavern in a Historic Location Ayingers Inn is a bustling tavern in a historic location. Be sure to try the "Weißwurst" (white sausage) served naturally with, what else, Ayinger draft beer. The Ayinger Brewery is family owned and is located approximately 25 minutes south of Munich . Outdoor seating is also available in summer, as is Wi-Fi."

"Settle in for a Strong Brew Paulaner Knockerberg is a local favorite. Guests can sip beer and nosh on Bavarian food in one of the comfortable dining rooms, make themselves cozy around the fireplace, or settle down in the basement. Paulaner Knockerberg is also known for its beer garden in summer. Of special interest is the Starkbierfest (Strong Beer Festival), which takes place for 17 days each year from early to mid March (check the website for exact dates). It's called "Starkbier" for a reason; the alcohol content is higher than usual, so go easy."

"Munich's Oldest Independent Brewery Established in 1328, Augustiner Bräu is Munich 's oldest independent brewery. It produces Munich's most popular brands of beer including eight different brews from Weiss bier (white beer) to Dunkel (dark) and everything in between. Augustiner Bräu can be found at different locations throughout Munich, but the one pictured above is conveniently located between Marienplatz and Karlsplatz (Stachus)."

"Enjoying Beer on a Terrace Cozy traditional-style pub? Elegant dining? A rooftop terrace overlooking the beer garden? Löwenbräu (lion's brew) has them all. Try a Russ (50% white beer) or a Radler (50% beer) and 50% lemonade on a hot summer day—how refreshing!"

"Beer Brewed in Copper Kettles Hacker-Pschorr brings a part of Bavarian brewing history back to life by utilizing two copper brewing kettles which are over 70 years old but have been restored. This combined with selected ingredients and compliance with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516 guarantees high quality and unique tasting beer."