- Home
- About
- Advertise
- Links
Monkeys, Mountains and Maultaschen
Andechs Monastery: A Place for Pilgrimage, Praying and Beer Drinking
Photo courtesy of sanfamedia on Flickr.
Andechs Monastery (Kloster Andechs in German) is not only famous for its pilgrimage and praying, but also for its beer and is home to some of the best beer in Germany. Perhaps that shouldn’t be surprising when you consider that the Benedictine monks have had over 900 years of beer brewing practice. Monks used to brew the beer and survived on it during the 40 days of fasting during Lent, although the brewery itself just dates back to 1455.
The forested path and part of the pilgrimage to Andechs.
Andechs Hill, now home to the Andechs Monastery, has been a pilgrimage since the 10th century where worshipers came to see Christian relics, most notably a piece of Jesus’ crown of thorns, which is still on display today in the church. While bus transportation is available to Andechs, I would recommend following in the footsteps of the pilgrims much like many people will do to catch the JLS tour. Starting in the Bavarian town of Herrshing and well signed, the path soon leads to a forested path and a little over an hour later we had reached our destination.
The Rococo and baroque style church was our first stop, and very ornate, and worth a visit in-itself, but admittedly not the real reason we came to Andechs. After a quick stop at the religious souvenir and beer filled gift shop, we were off to the 3500 person beer garden. Proof that not all the beer drinking action just happens at Oktoberfest.
My friend enjoying a pint of the famous Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel and a Bavarian donut.
Andechs is famous for its beer, especially its Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel, a heavy dark beer that’s sure to put hair on your chest (you’ve been warned) with an alcohol content of 7.1%. If you’re not a dark beer drinker, may I suggest the Andechser Weißbier Hell? A light unfiltered beer with a mere 5.5% alcohol content. Unfortunately I’m allergic to beer and was unable to try but the smallest sip, but my friend from Canada who was celebrating his first day ever in Europe was up to the task. Besides beer, Andechs also serves traditional Bavarian food in hearty portions at reasonable prices, especially considering how popular it is with tourists and its hilltop location which provides a pleasant view overlooking the town of Andechs and the Bavarian countryside.
View from Andechs Restaurant (the view from the beer garden is even better, but my photo didn't turn out)
After enjoying just one pint of the Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel, my friend was feeling its effects, but it was with a perma-grin slapped on his face that he he headed back to the gift shop to try the Andechser Weißbier Hell, to be consumed later. We had planned to walk down, but as we boarded the bus, the bus driver gave a knowing smile. Somehow I have a feeling that taking the bus down from Andechs Monastery is a common occurrence for many pilgrims.
Andechs is located~40km SW of Munich and the nearby town of Herrshing is easily reached by S-bahn 8, a 40 minute journey. From the town of Herrshing you can either take a public bus (which only come infrequently) or a private bus, which comes more often and only cost us €2.25 each for the one-way ride. I would recommend walking up (just over an hour and 5km) and then playing it by ear for the return trip. For more info see the official site of Kloster Andechs (in German only).
Leave a Reply
Comments
great memories of spring pilgrimmages – especially for the beer. Thanks for the post – and the reminder to go back someday.
Bob Berwyn recently posted..Environment: Uranium mine plan spurs outrage in Australia
@Bob – Glad to bring back great memories, Andechs really is a unique place and I love the pilgrimage part of it.
I’ll have to add this to my list of places to go when I’m in Germany. Looks like a fun afternoon trip and who doesn’t love a good strong beer!
Interesting match of piety and hedonism. Must go sometime.
Wouldn’t mind doing a bit of beer sampling there – and some sightseeing too, of course. The interior of that church is so ornate.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently posted..Istanbul Eurasia Marathon 2011 – 5 Days To Go
Fabulous photos of amazing architecture and interior design. What really amazes me is that everyone doesn’t weigh 500 pounds. It is an experience I would like to enjoy. My friend Ewa is a long-time friend of Anna who you know from COC. Everybody says Hi.
Barry recently posted..Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park – Hiking Alberta
I love Andechs! The doppelbock dark beer is one of the things I miss since I started eating a gluten-free diet six years ago.
Pilgramage…hmmmm…prayer…well….beer drinking! Ok, I’m in.
robin recently posted..El Idioma
Lovely pictures! I noted the lush green… doesn’t look like fall yet!
But I mostly can’t get over the size of that donut!
Zhu recently posted..Fall Colours at the Park
Nice write and pics. I don’t know about the first two, but the third sounds like a plan. Just like in your picture!
David @ Malaysia Asia recently posted..Kopi Luwak Coffee in Bali, Indonesia
Beer garden. And who says beer doesn’t grow on trees? Great post!
Glen recently posted..Voice of the Wetlands: Festival with a Purpose
Went there many years ago, the views and beer were both great then and loks like not much has changed.
The Travel Fool recently posted..New Zealand South Island: Tour to a Hidden Paradise
@Heather – I agree, it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon, just don’t make any big plans for later
@Mette – Well put, and not things you see together everyday.
@Julia – I’ll confess that we spent more time in the beer garten than in the church, but the church was beautiful.
@Barry – Well it’s because most people hike up, keeps the weight down
. I know Ewa and Anna is a very good friend of mine. Too funny that you know her, small world. Say hi to them from me.
@Christopher – I think I’ll be going back everytime I have guests. I tried a sip of the doppelbock beer and it was too strong for me, but I loved the Weißbier. I know there’s a gluten free brewery around Munich which I need to check out sometime.
@Robin – How did I know it was the beer that would get you there?
@David – That’s exactly what my friend thought
@Glen – Thanks and your comment made me chuckle.
@The Travel Fool – Good to hear. I like knowing that some places stay the same.
The church reminded me of the Wies Church! Beautiful setting for a beer or two.
Debbie @ European Travelista recently posted..My 4 Best . . . Meals That Is!
Interesting combination that. Not too keen on beer, but it looks like a lovely place to hang about to contemplate (and perhaps write a bit).
Sophie recently posted..What to do on a Friday night in London if you’re time travelling
For some reason monasteries and alcohol seem to go together! A few years ago we visited a monastery in Spain that had made their own wine – they even had trenches built into the ground to transport it (or maybe for another reason, but I can’t quite remember). It was sort of bizarre!
Technosyncratic Travel recently posted..Drugs & Grunge: Another Side of Berlin
Looks to me like they must have got the interior of the church built before they got into the Doppelbock!