Next dates
2027 dates not yet announced — typically around March. We're watching and will update this page when they land.
Future dates
- 2027Feb 26 – Mar 21, 2027
Quick answer
Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest) is a beer fest in Munich, Bavaria. It runs from Mar 6–29, 2026. Munich's 'fifth season' — three weeks of monastery-strength doppelbock at 7%+ ABV.
Munich's 'fifth season' — three weeks of monastery-strength doppelbock at 7%+ ABV.
Less touristy than Oktoberfest, more intense beer. Paulaner's own doppelbock, Salvator, is the headliner at Nockherberg — Maximator (Augustiner) and Triumphator (Löwenbräu) are different breweries' own doppelbocks, poured at their own separate, separately-ticketed festivals elsewhere in Munich during the same Starkbierzeit season, not at Nockherberg. Nockherberg is famous for the 'Derblecken' — a political roast where Bavarian politicians get mercilessly mocked in dialect.
History
Paulaner monks brewed doppelbock in the 1600s as 'liquid bread' to survive Lenten fasting. The Pope tasted it, found it too vile to be pleasurable, and approved it for fasting. The tradition stuck.
On Tap
- Local focus
- Paulaner's Salvator doppelbock at Nockherberg — the best-known stop in Munich's citywide Starkbierzeit season, not a shared bill with other breweries' beers.
- What to try
- Start with Salvator in a small glass; these beers are 7–8% and meant for sipping, not chugging.
- Food pairing
- Hearty Bavarian plates — the stronger the beer, the richer the food should be.
- Best for
- Oktoberfest veterans who want Lent beer culture and the legendary Derblecken political roast.
- Bavaria On Tap take
- Starkbierzeit proves Munich drinks seriously in March — less touristy, more intense, and worth planning around.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest) in 2026?
- Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest) in 2026 runs from Mar 6–29, 2026. It takes place at Paulaner am Nockherberg.
- Is Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest) free to attend?
- Entry to Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest) is ticketed — check the official website for pricing.
- What is the history of Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest)?
- Paulaner monks brewed doppelbock in the 1600s as 'liquid bread' to survive Lenten fasting. The Pope tasted it, found it too vile to be pleasurable, and approved it for fasting. The tradition stuck.
- Where is Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest) located?
- Strong Beer Festival (Starkbierfest) takes place at Paulaner am Nockherberg in Munich, Oberbayern, Bavaria, Germany.
- Can I attend the Derblecken?
- Not by buying a ticket — the Derblecken political-roast evening is invite-only (around 500 guests: politicians, dignitaries, celebrities). General visitors can attend the festival on other nights, or watch the Derblecken live on Bavarian Television (BR), a tradition since 1982, also streamed free on the ARD Mediathek.
More in Munich
Other festivals and markets in Munich — or see the full Munich guide.