At first glance, Graz might not seem like the sort of city where you’d plan a beer pilgrimage. Austria’s second-largest city is celebrated for its Renaissance courtyards, Baroque palaces and the leafy Schlossberg hill that rises from its centre, crowned by the city’s iconic clock tower. Yet alongside this postcard charm, Graz is still a beer city, shaped by centuries of brewing tradition, fertile Styrian hop fields and a drinking culture that can rival anywhere else in Austria, even if its breweries are now few and far between.
Here, there is a strong connection between beer and the land. Styria, the green heart of Austria, may be famous for its wine, but it is also one of Europe’s great hop-growing regions. To the south of Graz, between the vineyard covered hills, rows of hop bines climb high poles across rolling farmland, producing aromatic varieties prized by brewers across the continent. This abundanceof hops has made Graz a natural hub for brewing since medieval times, when monasteries and inns produced beers for travellers and townsfolk alike. By the 19th century, breweries such as Puntigamer and Gösser were household names, their Märzen-style lagers flowing not only across Styria but throughout the Habsburg Empire.
The grand old breweries still dominate the skyline and the taps, their chimneys and signage reminders of a proud industrial heritage. However, tucked into side streets and courtyards, smaller craft beer bars and producers are pushing against the mass-produced monotony. Microbreweries are still thin on the ground compared to Austria’s neighbours, but the region has more than enough that are experimenting with Styrian hops in bold IPAs, or bottle shops where Belgian sours and American stouts sit alongside local favourites. You just have to work a little harder to seek these places out.
Thankfully, in Graz, beer plays a big part in the rhythm of daily life. On warm evenings, the courtyards of inns and beer gardens fill with people lingering over half-litres of Zwickl or Spezial. Students, of whom Graz has more than 60,000, give the city its youthful energy, and they frequently spill into the pubs of the Lend and Gries districts, fuelling a vibrant late-night scene. In the old town, vaulted beer halls echo with history as families and groups of friends gather over schnitzel and steins, while younger crowds head to the city’s modern craft beer spots to pore over chalkboard menus listing interesting and experimental brews. Wherever you go, beer is a part of the city’s social fabric.
Festivals mark the changing seasons and highlight the depth of Styrian brewing culture. In autumn, when the hop harvest is celebrated, breweries release fresh beers showcasing the year’s crop. Craft-focused events pop up through the year, from intimate tasting evenings to larger fairs that attract Austrian microbreweries and international names. Even traditional celebrations, like Styrian harvest festivals, place beer at their centre, reminding visitors that in this part of Austria, brewing remains as tied to agriculture as it does to nights on the town.
Despite not being as beer-focussed as neighbouring countries like Czechia, Germany or Slovakia, or even having anywhere near as many craft producers as the nation’s capital, a day spent exploring the city through its beers can be a rewarding one. The morning begins with coffee in one of Graz’s grand cafés, sunlight slanting across the terracotta rooftops. By afternoon you’re wandering past the river Mur, following the scent of malt to a pub where Zwickl is poured unfiltered, fresh from the tank. As evening falls, the city shifts gears: students and locals gather in Lendplatz, spilling into pubs and courtyards as glasses clink and the conversation quickens. Later still, you might find yourself underground, in a vaulted cellar bar, tasting a Styrian IPA brewed just a few kilometres away, proving that the city’s beer story is still alive and kicking.
It’s this interplay of past and present that makes it so endearing; the contrast between gemütlich beer halls rooted in history alongside forward-looking taprooms embracing global styles. It makes Graz such a rewarding city to explore by glass. And so, as the afternoon light softens over the Mur, it’s the breweries themselves that beckon first.
The Best Breweries in Graz
Graz’s brewing tradition runs deep, from monastic cellars of the Middle Ages to the industrial powerhouses that still dominate Austria’s beer and pub scene today. Although few breweries remain in Graz itself, there are enough of them to keep you busy for a day.
Puntigamer Brauerei
For better or worse, to many Austrians, Graz is synonymous with Puntigamer. Founded in 1478, the city’s largest brewery has long been a cornerstone of Styrian beer culture, its blue-and-white logo emblazoned on pub signs across the region. Known affectionately as “das bierige Bier” (the beery beer), Puntigamer produces classic (or what some may call bland) Märzen lagers that are malty, golden, easy-drinking and staples across the region at football matches, family gatherings, and festivals..
The brewery itself, in the Puntigam district south of the city centre, is a landmark. Its tall chimneys and industrial façades recall Graz’s working-class heritage and you can join guided tours that peel back the layers of history and tradition, from the vast brewhouses where Styrian hops meet Austrian barley, to the cellars where beer rests before bottling. Tastings are woven into the experience, offering the chance to compare Puntigamer’s flagship Märzen with its Zwickl or seasonal brews.
Though very much a giant by local standards, Puntigamer remains deeply tied to its roots and is a good starting point to dive into Graz’s – and Austria’s – long love affair with beer. For travellers curious about the city’s brewing history, or simply wanting to sample one of Austria’s most iconic lagers at its source, a visit here is a must.
Where: Triesterstraße 357-359, 8055 Graz
When: Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm
Gösser Bräu Graz
Just a short stroll from Graz’s old town, Gösser Bräu brings one of Austria’s most famous beer names back to its roots. While the original Gösser brewery was founded in Leoben, north of Graz, this classic pub offers a chance to taste its celebrated lagers in a more intimate, traditional setting.
Housed in a cosy, wood-panelled building, Gösser Bräu feels like the perfect slice of Styrian hospitality. Here, beer taps gleam, long communal tables feel inviting, and foaming mugs of Märzen and Zwickl arrive at the table with practised ease. The food is just as central to the experience. They serve hearty Styrian fare like schnitzel, roast pork, and seasonal specials that pair well with the crisp lagers.
Where: Neutorgasse 48, 8010 Graz
When: Sunday to Wednesday 11am – 10pm; Thursday to Saturday 11am to 12am
Glöckl Bräu
The Glockenspiel in Graz’s eponymous square in Graz in one of the city’s most endearing sights. Three times a day, a sweet maiden and gent in traditional costume pirouette up in the gable of the building on Glockenspielplatz square as the mechanism’s 24 bells play three different melodies.
As the name suggests, Glöckl Bräu is located just a few steps away from this charming spectacle. It’s one of Graz’s most atmospheric beer halls, and something of an institution in the city. Tucked just off Hauptplatz in the old town, it combines the feel of a traditional Styrian Wirtshaus with the character of a working brewpub.
The brewery produces its own beers on site, most notably a Spezial Märzen and a Zwickl (an unfiltered lager), both served fresh from the barrel in hefty steins. These are classic, malt-forward Austrian styles; Smooth, balanced and designed to be drunk in good company along with a heart plate of schnitzel. Seasonal brews sometimes appear, but the focus is very much on tradition and quality.
The setting is part of the appeal: vaulted ceilings, wood panelling and heavy wooden benches inside, plus tables that spill out into the square outside on warmer days. It has a convivial, old-world charm where locals, students and travellers all mix, often lingering over rounds of beer with hearty Styrian dishes such as roast pork or käsespätzle.
Where: Glockenspielpl. 2-3, 8010 Graz
When: Daily 10.30am – 11.30pm
Rudolf-Erlebnisbrauerei
On the western edge of Graz, where the city begins to dissipate and fade into rolling countryside, you’ll find Schloss Eggenberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Austria’s most important cultural monuments.
Built in the early 17th century for the powerful Eggenberg family, this ornate example of Baroque grandeur is an architectural masterpiece. Its 365 windows represent the days of the year, 24 state rooms reflect the hours, and four grand corner towers mark the seasons. Step inside and you’re swept into a world of frescoed ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and gilded stucco, with the Planetary Hall at its heart. The palace was conceived as a cosmological model, a residence aligned with celestial order as much as earthly prestige and wealth.
A morning spent browsing Schloss Eggenberg’s art collections or wandering the vast park and landscaped gardens can be thirsty work. Thankfully, just outside of the palace’s gates, you will find Rudolf-Erlebnisbrauerei.
First opened in 1999, this characterful brewpub brings together traditional Styrian brewing with a warm, convivial atmosphere: it feels like a rustic inn with its wooden beams, long communal tables, and hearty Austrian cooking. As the name suggests, it’s very much an Erlebnisbrauerei (or experience brewer), where the emphasis is not just on the drink, but on the setting and surroundings.
The brewery may not be as widely known internationally as big names like Puntigamer or Gösser, but the brewery produces a handful of classic Austrian styles, most notably a Zwickl and a Märzen. These are beers designed for drinking by the litre in a frosty stein; clean, malty and refreshing, with just enough hop bitterness to keep them crisp. Depending on the season, the brewery also offers specials such as a darker, fuller-bodied winter beer.
Where: Glockenspielpl. 2-3, 8010 Graz
When: Daily 10.30am – 11.30pm
The Best Pubs & Craft Beer Bars in Graz
From centuries-old taverns where foaming steins are served beneath vaulted ceilings, to modern taprooms pouring forward thinking craft brews, here are the best places to grab a beer in Graz.
Hops Craft Beer Bar
My favourite craft beer bar in the city, you’ll find Hops hidden in a corner building just off the bustling Herrengasse. While the interior isn’t a far cry from the more traditional pubs that are found all throughout Graz’s centre – exposed brickwork, vaulted ceilings and beer memorabilia littering the walls – this is the city’s modern answer to the city’s centuries-old beer tradition and has quickly established itself as the go-to spot for anyone curious about the global craft beer movement.
Acting as the taproom for One Eyed Jock Brewing, A Graz-based microbrewery run by Scot Andy Munro and Irishman Fionn O’Sullivan, you’ll find a good range of their beers as well as a chalkboard menu that changes constantly, showcasing around a dozen taps that pour everything from citrusy IPAs and malty stouts to tart sours and experimental one-offs. Austrian craft breweries feature prominently, but you’ll also spot Belgian saisons, Scandinavian pale ales, or even a bold American double IPA making an appearance. For those wanting to explore further, the fridges are stocked with bottles and cans from across Europe and beyond..
Where: Prokopigasse 14, 8010 Graz
When: Wednesday to Saturday 6pm – 1am ; Monday & Tuesday 6pm – 12am
Dr Bottle
Part bottle shop, part bar, Dr Bottle is where Graz’s craft scene really comes into its own. Fridges are packed with cans and bottles from Austria’s best small breweries alongside European and American imports. You can drink on-site or pick up a few rare cans to take home. It’s a favourite among locals looking to expand their beer horizons and sample styles not widely available elsewhere in the city.
Where: Reitschulgasse 27, 8010 Graz
When: Tuesday to Friday 10am – 6pm; Sunday 10am – 4pm
Bierboutique
In the creative Lend district, just a short walk from the bustle of Lendplatz market, Bierboutique is where Graz’s craft beer scene moves from traditional Austrian lagers to show its more modern, curated side. The space is small and stylish, with shelves of bottles arranged almost like a gallery display, with a few fridges towards the back of the shop packed with an eclectic array of cans.
Around 150 different beers are on offer, from Styrian names such as Bevog and Alefried to Belgian abbey ales and the occasional American import. I found the owner to be passionate and friendly, ready to talk through styles and make suggestions.
Tasting sessions and workshops add to the experience, giving newcomers the chance to explore beer with the same curiosity you might bring to wine. They also have a couple of beers on draught if you would prefer a freshly poured pint over a few takeaway bottles and there is enough space inside for you to linger and chat all things beer with the staff.
Where: Lendpl. 5, 8020 Graz
When: Tuesday to Friday 1pm – 6pm; Saturday 11am – 2pm
Frisch vom Fass
This cosy bar translates as ‘Fresh from the Tap’,and it delivers on its promise. With a rotating selection of local and international draught beers, Frisch vom Fass has a focus on variety and good beer.
Hidden away on a small side street in the old town, it can be a little difficult to find (it took me a while to stumble across it and it doesn’t seem to be available on Google Maps), but It’s a great place to try Austrian craft breweries you might not encounter elsewhere, often in unfiltered or limited-edition form.
Brot & Spiele
While it may not look like much from the outside, with its Heineken-branded boarding that covers the windows, Brot & Spiele is a fairly well-loved drinking spot just a short hop from Bierboutique. Inside, it’s a sprawling mix of sports bar, beer hall, and late-night hangout that has been drawing drinkers since the 1990s. The name, which translates to “Bread & Games,” captures its spirit perfectly: hearty food, plentiful drinks, and enough pub sports to keep you entertained the entire night.
It’s a lively, multi-room space with screens showing international football and Austrian ice hockey. There are pool tables tucked into corners, and long wooden benches where groups gather over steins of beer. The drinks list isn’t too bad: alongside familiar Austrian lagers like Puntigamer and Gösser, there’s a solid rotation of international brews.
Top tip: Head here for a Puntigamer on draught during a Sturm Graz football match, as a pint is always best enjoyed when shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals.
Where: Mariahilfer Str. 17
When: Daily 11am – 1am
Beer Tours in Graz
One of the best ways to understand Graz’s beer culture is to experience it as the locals do: slowly, sociably, and with plenty of variety. While many visitors head straight for the city’s most famous breweries, a growing number of guided beer tours now offer a more rounded introduction, weaving together history, brewing traditions, and tastings across the old town.
Walking tours typically lead groups through Graz’s cobbled streets and grand courtyards, stopping at traditional taverns, family-run Brauhäuser, and contemporary craft beer bars. Along the way, guides share stories of Styrian hop fields, monastic brewing, and the rise of giants like Puntigamer, all while pouring samples of Märzen, Zwickl, and seasonal specialties. Some tours even include food pairings such as Styrian pumpkin seed spreads, hearty cold cuts, or slices of apple strudel to balance a hoppy IPA.
For a deep dive into industrial-scale brewing, the Puntigamer Brewery Tour is a must. South of the city centre, Austria’s largest brewery opens its doors to visitors eager to see the brewing process up close. Tours take in the vast brewhouses, cellars, and bottling lines before ending with a guided tasting of Puntigamer’s flagship Märzen and other seasonal releases. It’s an experience that connects Graz’s everyday drinking culture with its proud brewing heritage
Graz Beer Map
Whether you are planning a Graz pub crawl or just want to locate one of the breweries or bars mentioned above, this map includes all the best bars, pubs, bottleshops, and microbreweries covered in this guide.
Using this map: This map shows the city’s breweries (red icons), and craft beer bars (yellow icons). The list can be seen and filtered by toggling the icon on the top left-hand side of the map, and each location can be explored further by clicking them. Expand the map by clicking the icon on the top right-hand side.
Where to Stay in Graz
Austria’s second city offers the perfect blend of medieval charm and modern creativity, which is reflected in Graz’s accommodation options. Whether you’re looking for heritage grandeur, contemporary design or something more low-key, Graz will have a stay to suit you.
Grand Hôtel Wiesler
Where: Grieskai 4-8, 8020 Graz
Just steps from the Mur River and the Kunsthaus, this 19th-century grande dame has been reimagined in a minimalist and modern style. The historic facade hides interiors of polished parquet floors, eclectic artwork, and there’s even a sauna tucked into an old tiled washroom. The on-site Speisesaal restaurant serves seasonal Austrian fare with a contemporary twist, making the hotel as much a meeting place for locals as for guests.
Aiola Living Graz
Where: Landhausgasse 5, 8010 Graz
For a boutique stay in the heart of the old town, Aiola Living pairs baroque bones with bold modern design. Rooms are individually styled, mixing rich colours, velvet armchairs and playful art pieces. The atmosphere is lively and creative, reflecting the city’s youthful energy. Step outside and you’re within minutes of Graz’s main square, independent shops and cosy coffeehouses.
Lendhotel
Where: Grüne G. 2, 8020 Graz
In the buzzing Lend district, this contemporary hotel is a showcase of Graz’s artistic side. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood rooms with light, while the public spaces double as a gallery, with rotating displays of contemporary art. A rooftop terrace offers sweeping views across the red-tiled rooftops to the Schlossberg.
Getting to Graz
Graz sits in the country’s south, close to the Slovenian border, yet – due to being the second largest city in Austria – it’s remarkably well connected by air, rail and road. Whether you’re arriving from Vienna, further afield in Europe, or even across the Alps, reaching Graz is fairly straightforward.
By air
Graz Airport lies just six miles from the city centre, linked by regular trains and buses that take under 20 minutes. Flights connect to major European hubs including Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich, making it easy to reach with a short transfer. If you’re travelling from the UK, Vienna International Airport, Austria’s largest, is your best bet. From there, Graz is about two and a half hours by direct train.
By train
Graz is on Austria’s southern rail network, with direct trains to Vienna (around 2hr 30min) and onwards to Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich. There are also international services to Maribor, Ljubljana and Zagreb, making the city a natural stop on a Central European journey. The Hauptbahnhof (main station) is a short tram ride or 20-minute walk from the old town.
By bus
Long-distance coaches link Graz with Vienna, Budapest and beyond, arriving at the main bus terminal beside the train station. Services are frequent and often cheaper than trains, particularly for cross-border travel.
By car
The A2 motorway runs from Vienna to Graz, continuing south into Slovenia, while the A9 connects north towards Linz and Salzburg. I found driving in Austria to be incredibly easy, with the added convenience of having a car allowing me to explore Styria’s vineyards and rolling hills.
