Set in the middle of Old Town, this tavern has been serving beer inside an ancient half-timber house since 1405. The real reason to come here is to try the Aecht Schenkerla Rauchbier, a dark beer brewed with smoked malt that tastes like liquid ham—it's an acquired taste but worth sampling. The best strategy is not to sip and enjoy, but to gulp down the first half; if you can choke down the first one, you'll be a fan for life.

Schlenkerla is a historical smoke brewery located in the heart of the old town of Bamberg. Smoked beer is unique to this town, so you simply cannot pass through without sampling some. With award-winning brews, ales tapped directly from oak barrels, and a venue that has existed in some form since the 15th century, Schlenkerla is the perfect place to whet your whistle and try some traditional Bavarian food and drink.

Schlenkerla | Hoffmanns Steak & Fisch | Villa Geyerswoerth | Restaurant Eckerts | Kleehof in der Gärtnerstadt | Spitz Rein | Indian Restaurant Swarg | Nam Restaurant | Kropf - Bamberger Koestlichkeiten | Hofbrau | Zapfhahn | Die Küche - Esszimmer | Restaurant Alt-Ringlein | Restaurant Kornblume | Tandem-Hotel & Cafe | Stadtproviant | Ichi-san | Metaxa | Cocoon Restaurant & Bar | China-Fan Imbiss | Burgerheart Bamberg | Rodez Sieben | Mahrs Brau | Asia Restaurant Koi | Casa Trentino | Olkannla | Cafe Muller | Cafe Esspress | Wilde Rose Keller | Ristorante Pizzeria La Posta Bamberg

Some of these are beers that you'll encounter elsewhere in Bamberg (Schlenkerla Helles or Märzen, Spezial Lager or Zwergla), or which are fairly common (Weihenstephaner Kristalweiss, Schneider Aventinus), but there are also some unusual items and I was glad to find Weyermann's Imperial Stout as I'd just come from the visitors center and they had a very limited selection of just their basic beers. The unusual beers are constantly changing and the majority of them are things that you've never heard of. The draft selection includes Mönchsambacher Lager, Keesmann Herrenpils, and Huppendorfer Weizenbier or Vollbier.

There’s a lot more to Bamberg than just Rauchbier — the town is said to produce brews in some 50 different styles, including the buzz-worthy U, aka Ungespundetes, an “uncorked” or “unbunged” style of Kellerbier best-known in the versions from Mahr’s and Spezial, as well as very good wheats from places like Kaiserdom. If you’re tempted to take something home with you, the very last chance before you leave town is a small shop in the train station with bottles of Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier as well as one of the local oddballs: Zwergla from Brauerei Fässla.

Probably the most famous tavern in town, this is home to the beers of Heller-Bräu Trum, better known as Schlenkerla. The tavern has been there for over 600 years, and brewing took place there for much of its history (now the brewery is a short walk away). Stepping through the big wooden door is like walking through a time warp with its old stone floor, dark wood, the smell of broth and roasting meat, and big oak barrels from which a dark lager pours.

Schlenkerla is the most famous of all the places to drink rauchbier in Bamberg and what many (myself included) consider to be the original. This most historic rauchbier brewery dates back to the 1400s and is considered the headquarters of what’s known as Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier (Real Schlenkerla Smoked Beer). There are several different and fun areas here to drink your rauchbier—indoor taverns and outdoor beer gardens included.

The town’s most famous brewery tap, Schlenkerla’s handsome pub sits inside a former monastery from 1310. Probably the most consistently outstanding food of the Bamberg brewpubs, there’s not a bad choice on the menu but you simply must order the Bamberger Zweibel. “Zweibel” is German for onion, but what you’re ordering here is a gigantic heritage onion hollowed out and filled with smoked pork, served in a smoked beer sauce.

About Schlenkerla: Today there are 9 beer breweries in Bamberg which seems like a lot, but in the 1800s there were 65 beer breweries!. In a town famous for beer, the Schlenkerla Tavern is the one place on our free Bamberg walking tour that you have to stop for a drink. They start serving their world-renown Smoke Beer( Rauchbier) early at 9:30am out of wooden kegs and the vibe of the Medieval tavern is amazing.

In the heart of old Bamberg, beneath the domineering cathedral walls, sits the historic smoked beer brewery of Schlenkerla, a must-see destination. This brewery was first established in 1405 and is currently run by the 6th-generation of the Trum family. The smoked beer at this brewery is tapped directly from wooden barrels, in accordance with old tradition, and is called aecht schlenkerla rauchbier in German.

Named after the beautiful but rather obtrusive tiled ceramic heaters that are a staple of barrooms here, Kachelofen offers three draft beers, with, unusually, just one from Bamberg: Schlenkerla’s Rauchbier, which is like Spezial’s but smokier. I know it well, so — perversely, given my mission — I go instead for a Seidla (half-liter) of St. Georgen Kellerbier, which comes from the nearby town of Buttenheim.

: Located in the heart of the old town, Schlenkerla is famed for its Rauchbier (smoked beer) and traditional Franconian dishes. Dining here is like stepping back in time, with a menu that celebrates local ingredients and recipes passed down through generations. : The smoked beer-marinated pork shoulder, served with sauerkraut and dumplings, perfectly complements the brewery’s unique beers.

The most famous of the Bamberg breweries, I was looking forward to visiting Schlenkerla but found it, sadly, disappointing as it was just so overwhelmingly touristy. Set on one of the main thoroughfares, it’s very centrally located and thus very busy. The building is a beautiful black and white affair with some cute shutters and window boxes so it looks very attractive from the outside.

Bamberg is also home to eight breweries: Brauerei Fässla, Brauerei Greifenklau, Brauerei Heller-Trum (Schlenkerla), Brauerei Kaiserdom, Brauerei Keesmann, Klosterbräu, Mahrs-Bräu and Brauerei Spezial. It is also home to one brewpub, Ambräusianum. In a city with a population of 70,000, the residents are ensured to have easy and entertaining access to quality beer and a jovial atmosphere.

Head to Schlenkerla, a historic brewery and tavern, to taste this local specialty and immerse yourself in the city's beer culture. In addition to its beer, Bamberg offers a variety of delicious regional dishes. Try the hearty Franconian fare, such as the Bamberger Zwiebel, a savory onion dish, or the Nürnberger Rostbratwurst, small grilled sausages that are a staple of the region.

Probably the two most frequented beer tourist spots in Bamberg, and really all of Franconia, are the are the pub and brewery Schlenkerla and Spezial, respectively. These places exclusively serve rauchbier, or smoke beer. The massive crowds at the brewery location of Schlenkerla, often lining the street out front (where you can also drink the beer), make it a must-stop for most.

No matter, Rauchbier sounds much cooler and since it’s **the style which defines Franconia in the eyes of the world, it’s one to know. As you might imagine, making beer back in the olden days was surely much more difficult than today and the malting process involved fires, which generally necessitated wood. Where there’s wood, there’s smoke and smoke tends to impart flavor.

You can try smoked Bamberg beer in the historical brewery-beer "Schlenkerla" (Schlenkerla), which has been operating since 1405 (then the brewery was known as a pub called "Zum Blauen Löwen", which means: "At the blue Lion") and where smoked beer is still poured from oak barrels with you, and smoked malt is historically obtained by roasting malt on an open fire.

A fantastic way to immerse yourself in this aspect of local heritage is by visiting some of the traditional breweries, like Schlenkerla, famous for its “Rauchbier” (smoked beer). Many breweries offer tours and tastings. Another quintessential experience is attending the Bamberg Beer Festival, held annually, where one can taste different local brews.

In the early 17th century, smoke-free malting was invented and finally the fatty notes no longer overpowered all malt and hop mixtures. Nevertheless, the Franconians in the region around Bamberg retained the traditional method of malt production. Above all, the Schlenkerla and Spezial breweries continued to malt, just as they had done for 200 years.

While every town in Germany lays claim to their local brew being the best, the been here is particularly unique. Beer aficionados travel from all over the world to this little town for a Bamberg beer tour and to sample the Rauchbier – or smoke beer. Sampling Rauchbier is something unique to this little corner of Franconia and is not to be missed.

Of course, you can’t talk about Bamberg without talking about Schlenkerla…so I won’t!. First thing to note, there is a restaurant around the corner, Kachelofen from Schlenkerla that does a very good job masquerading as the real deal. While it’s not a bad spot (we enjoyed a rauchbier and a few kellerbiers on the patio) it’s something to note.

Some of the most famous breweries are Schlenkerla, Spezial, Klosterbrau, Fassla, Ambrausianum, and Mahrs Brau. You can explore these places on your own or take a tour with a local. This popular Bamberg Beer History Tour helps you better understand the importance of beer for this region, as well as the history and culture that comes with it.

An Unwritten law states: that as a beer drinker when in Bamberg, you must try the smoked beer. When brewing smoked beer, the malt is dried off by the smoke of beech wood – a process which gives the beer its typical smoky taste. The most popular place to taste Bamberger Rauchbier (Smoked Beer) is the Schlenkerla on Dominikanerstraße.

Source: Photo by Flickr user baldeaglebluff used under CC BY-SA 2.0. If you want to have a taste of German smoked beer, the place to be in Bamberg is Schlenkerla brewery. Serving beer since the 1400s, and thus with hundreds and hundreds of years of experience, you’re sure to taste the highest quality of smoked beer in the town.

This half-timbered house with green shutters is a historic monument in its own right. The 600-year-old Schlenkerla brewery is also the only place in town to sell Bamberg’s most distinctive drop, smoked beer or Rauchbier, from the barrel. The smoky taste comes from the malted barley, which is dried over an open flame.

The original smoked beer and Bamberg's specialty for centuries. A dark, bottom fermented Märzen style lager beer, brewed with traditionally made smoked malt from the in-house Schlenkerla maltings. As this production method has become almost extinct, Schlenkerla is a passenger in the Ark of Taste of Slow Food®.

Zwei Brauereien, »Spezial« und »Schlenkerla«, führen diese alte Tradition noch heute fort. »Früher, als das Malz vor dem Einmaischen mithilfe eines Holzfeuers getrocknet wurde, war Rauchbier der Normalfall«, erklärt Matthias Trum, der Chef der »Brauerei Schlenkerla«. Inzwischen braucht es kein Feuer mehr.

Mitten in der Altstadt ist die historische Rauchbierbrauerei Schlenkerla eine Legende in Bamberg. Urkundlich erstmals 1405 erwähnt, wird das berühmte Bier heute schon in der sechsten Generation von der Familie Trum geführt. Nach alter Tradition wird das Rauchbier hier noch aus Eichenholzfässern gezapft.

Another one of the iconic things to do in Bamberg, Germany is try their famous local specialty beer, the smoked beer at Schlenkerla. The smoked beer, known as Rauchbier is just as famous as any other historical building or monument here in Bamberg, Germany. Trying it is a staple to your visit!

Bamberg is known for its smoked Rauchbier and is home to nine breweries, Brauerei Fässla, Brauerei Greifenklau, Brauerei Heller-Trum (Schlenkerla), Brauerei Kaiserdom, Keesmann Bräu, Klosterbräu, Mahrs Bräu and Brauerei Spezial, and one brewpub, Ambräusianum and some new smaller breweries.

Bamberg is home to nine breweries with 50 different types of beer. Not only that, but there are another 80 breweries located within 15 miles of the town, therefore, the nickname “Beer City” is quite appropriate!. So while in Bamberg, it is absolutely necessary to try as much as possible!

From around 1935, the Bamberg breweries Schlenkerla and Spezial were the only ones who remained true to the traditional way of producing smoked beer, modernized their smoke kilns and each developed them further in their own way. They made a local specialty out of the traditional beer.

Wem der Weg zu weit ist, der bleibt einfach vor dem Schlenkerla stehen. In dem alten Wirtshaus trinken Touristen und Einheimische gleichermaßen. Das Rauchbier muss man allerdings mögen, es schmeckt für ungeübte Gaumen so als würde man in ein Stück geräucherten Schinken beißen.

Schlenkerla was established in 1405 and produces rauchbier, the distinctive smoked beer of Bamberg. It also has a restaurant serving traditional food. When in Rome… I tried the rauchbier, which certainly had a strong smoky flavour, and a stuffed onion which was delicious.

If you’ve had your fill of mulled wine at the Christmas market, you’ll be pleased to learn that Bamberg is one of Germany’s most renowned beer-brewing cities, home to an impressive 12 breweries and its own beer speciality, Rauchbier (smoked beer).

Some of the breweries included in the trail are Fässla, Keesmann, Schlenkerla, Spezial, Greifenklau, Ambräusianum, and Klosterbräu. To easily discover Bamberg’s beers, I suggest participating in at least one of the town’s guided tours.

Die Brauerei Spezial der Familie Merz und die Brauerei Schlenkerla der Familie Trum. Letztere darf sich sicherlich als eine der berühmtesten deutschen Brauereien bezeichnen. Natürlich ist das nischige Rauchbier mit ein Grund dafür.

The Bamberger Reiter, an iconic equestrian statue inside the cathedral, reflects the city's deep historical roots, while local pub Schlenkerla offers a tasting of the city's well-known smoked beer (Rauchbier), a must for visitors.

Rauchbier, or Smoked Beer, is a local brew unique to Bamberg. The town’s main breweries have taverns where patrons can sample the local beer, or indulge in a full pint. In fact, Bamberg is home to eight distinct breweries.

One of the most famous breweries is the Schlenkerla, right in the centre of Old Town. It’s home to the original smoked beer. We didn’t end up going inside as it was quite busy, but you might want to stop here for a drink.

The Bamberg Brewery, which was founded in 1634, is one of the largest breweries in Germany. Bamberg’s most famous beer is called “Rauchbier” or “smoked beer”. The town is also home to the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.

Schlenkerla is known for their Rauchbier (smoked beer) and is located around the corner from Ambrausianums. The smoke comes from the process of drying the malts over an open flame. Think campfire and smoky bacon.

It’s a classic and popular recommendation, but I really enjoyed Schlenkerla Brewery, housed in a crooked and charming timbered building, although any place serving beer is probably not a bad place to be 😉

Die historische Brauereigaststätte Schlenkerla wurde bereits 1405 erstmals urkundlich erwähnt. Schon das Gebäude selbst ist wegen der Dominikanerklause und dem fränkischen Fachwerk sehenswert.

While the most famous one, “Schlenkerla”, is a dark and rather heavy beer, the “Spezial” with its amber color is a bit less smokey and – some say – easier to drink in larger quantities.

I probably should walk all the way into the city centre to start with Schlenkerla, the most famous smoked beer, but I’m outside already and my pre-noon thirst is surprisingly large.

Where I Ate A Bamberg Zwiebel: Perhaps one of the most popular places to order the Bamberg Ziebel is at one of the most famous Bamberg Germany Restaurants/ Brewery Schlenkerla.

Schlenkerla – Across from Kachelofen is the historic 15th century brewery famous for smoked beer, the signature drink of Bamberg.