Wish you could experience Oktoberfest all year ‘round? Nestled in the growing Grandview Yard neighborhood, just minutes away from downtown Columbus, Hofbräuhaus Columbus has been offering exactly that and more for thousands of guests since 2014.

In this Columbus Restaurant Spotlight, we’ll be showcasing Hofbräuhaus Columbus and giving you an inside look at the German-style beer hall’s food, drink, history and ambiance.

The History of Hofbräuhaus

While Hofbräuhaus Columbus has only been open for a little over five years, the original Hofbräuhaus was founded in Munich in 1589—nearly 200 years prior to the United States’ founding!

Wilhelm V, the duke of Bavaria, dissatisfied with the beer brewed locally for him and his family, and tired of paying a premium to have it imported from other cities, ordered his counsel to think of a better way for him to get his drink on. They suggested building his own brewery, and Hofbräuhaus was born.

In 1607, Hofbräuhaus was relocated to a bigger space in a more populated area, and soon served the public. In 1887, it was renovated to include a restaurant. While the beerhall was bombed in 1944 during WWII, it was reconstructed in 1958 and still stands today.

In 2014, Hofbräuhaus Columbus became the 6^th (and still newest) Hofbräuhaus in the United States—the first being Hofbräuhaus Newport in Newport, Kentucky.

The Food of Hofbräuhaus Columbus

Whether you’re looking for German styled würsts, a garden-fresh salad or delicious Ohio cream puffs, Hofbräuhaus Columbus’ robust menu and authentic recipes offer something for everyone to enjoy. Each month, the beerhall features a new monthly special to please even more palettes—recently, this included a tasty pulled pork sandwich made with homemade Dunkel BBQ sauce.

If burgers and sandwiches are more your style, Hofbräuhaus Columbus carries approximately ten mouthwatering options ranging from a Smoke-Haus Burger topped with thick-cut cheddar, crispy onion frizzles, homemade Dunkel BBQ sauce and smoked bacon, to a Schnitzel Sandwich topped with fried pork cutlet, fresh greens and veggies and signature homemade bier cheese. Hofbräuhaus Columbus also offers a plethora of mouthwatering vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, including fresh green salads, scrumptious desserts, vegan bratwurst and more.

In addition to burgers, greens and German fare, one of the restaurant’s most popular items is its fried chicken. Hofbräuhaus chefs take fresh chicken tenders, marinade them in creamy buttermilk for 48 hours and then hand-bread them in homemade beer batter. Our taste buds are buzzing just writing about it!

One of the more unique parts of the Hofbräuhaus Columbus dining experience is its food and beer pairings. Each month, the brew master hand-selects a seasonal beer to be featured. When that happens, the restaurant’s chef will devise a completely new menu item that pairs perfectly with that beer. This tradition has been going strong for more than eight years with incredible results—in some cases, if a pairing is extra successful, Hofbräuhaus will add it to the menu as a permanent item!

The Bier of Hofbräuhaus Columbus

Many would say that the crown jewel of Hofbräuhaus Columbus is its home-brewed beer (or bier, as they say in Germany). Each and every day, the experienced brew master makes a fresh batch using the original Hofbräuhaus recipes handed down by the Duke of Bavaria over 400 years ago. This includes four year-round varieties and seasonal specialties like Oktoberfest, Maibock, Pilsner and Dunkel Weizen.

Serious bier aficionados will also appreciate the variety of Growlers and Crowlers (32oz can) offered at Hofbräuhaus Columbus. Growlers—one of the oldest and most traditional ways to bring home draught beer—come in 32oz or 64oz glass, steel or ceramic jugs, with your choice of beer sealed and pressure trapped on the spot. Crowlers, a newer innovation in beer transportation, come in 32oz aluminum cans, and are specially capped to seal in all the beer’s flavor.

The Events of Hofbräuhaus Columbus

Unlike the new craft breweries that pop up, Hofbräuhaus is rooted in tradition, and it shows in its authentic beerhall ambiance and décor. From keg-tapping ceremonies and live music to family nights and happy hours, Hofbräuhaus Columbus provides guests with a variety of events and activities from week to week.

With a seating capacity of over 850, Hofbräuhaus Columbus is the perfect place to host any event or gathering you may have—including birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, happy hours and more! Call (614) 294-2437 or visit their website to reserve the beerhall for a large group.