The Beer experience, Salzburg

If you want to experience a great slice of Austrian culture do not miss a visit to the Augustinerbrau beer keller. This guide is not for seasoned travellers, who will just work it out for themselves, it is for those who may be put off going because they are not sure of how it works. If you only seek out places where English is spoken, be brave and give this place a go - you won't regret it !

From the old city centre walk to the river and turn left. After a ten minute stroll along the river from central Salzburg you will come to a church perched on the hill to your left, the monastery with beer keller is behind it.

Climb up to the church on the hill and just beyond is the entrance to the beer hall. Go through the door and down the steps into a cavernous empty hall (it was all so quiet here when we were there and we thought we were in the wrong place - but keep going !) Eventually you will hear a faint rumbling of sound - follow the sound and you will end up in a magical world (if you like beer and substantial Austrian food)

Give the food a miss for now and head towards the area where the beer is served. Take a tankard from the shelf (the one litre one is recommended !) and present it to the cashier who will take your cash and give you a ticket, the cashier will ask you if you want light or dark beer - make your choice. Give the tankard and the ticket to the beer dispenser, he will fill it from a barrel.

We went in March, so outdoor seating was not an option, we could choose between 2 large beer halls. We were there at about 18:30 on a Tuesday and it was packed, we joined a table of locals, they didn't mind a bit.

We had a big plate of pork, dumplings, sauerkraut and gravy for about 8 euros The food koisk owners we saw did not speak English but they have pictures of the food and we just pointed at what we wanted.

When you want another beer, take your tankard and wash it in the fountain and repeat the purchasing process. I think it opens from about 15:00 to 23:00 weekdays and from 14:30 at weekends.

Not only can you take your own picnic into the beer hall at the monastery but there are also several delicatessen stalls where you can buy meats, cheeses, breads and salads to eat in - almost like a shopping hall - so unusual!

Salzburg seems to have several beer gardens - usually open from May. The most famous spots include the "Stieglkeller“ at the foot of the Mönchsberg, affording a wonderful view of the city, and the "Müllner Bräustübl“ in the city's Mülln District. The Augustine monastery is in this Mülln District and this large beer hall was certainly popular judging by the number of people inside. This pic just shows one of the beer halls here. The garden is large too but unfortunately the inclement weather kept us indoors.

It was interesting to see people of all ages enjoying the beer at the various places and breweries. Salzburg seems to have several beer gardens - usually open from May. The most famous spots include the "Stieglkeller“ at the foot of the Mönchsberg, affording a wonderful view of the city, and the "Müllner Bräustübl“ in the city's Mülln District. The Augustine monastery is in this Mülln District and this large beer hall was certainly popular juging by the number of people inside.