Overview
The beerhalls of Germany seem inconceivably distant from our cold Melburnian shores right now. Instead of a summery festival season clad in lederhosen with a cold beer in hand, Melbourne's forecast for the next few months calls for trench coats and a high chance of hot mulled cider. It's unfortunate, but we've accepted it. We've blocked all our friends' Instagram feeds who are visiting Europe, and we've become content with our sad state of affairs. That is until now. Say hello to Munich Brauhaus — a 900-seater German beerhall in the heart of South Wharf.
Only just announced, this incredible slice of European joy is unfortunately scheduled to launch in mid-August; so you still have a while to wait. But that doesn't mean we can't start drooling over it now. To be fitted out in a repurposed space on Southwharf Promenade, Munich Brauhaus will boast all the trappings of a traditional Bavaraian bierhaus with a clean modern edge.
But as we all know, the most important part of a beerhall is the beer — and this place does not disappoint. On tap you'll find a host of quality German brews such as Fürstenburg Premium Pils, Löwenbräu Original, and Stiegl Goldbräu (and really, if it has an umlaut, you know it's good). The kitchen will also be stocked with feasting favourites such as locally sourced suckling pig and charcoal spits, and the music will be just as you expect — oom-pa pah music with accordions aplenty. The only reason to be disappointed is if you're vegetarian, but even then you can't be too upset with great beer and warm pretzels.
Of course any large venue in our city is exciting news, let alone a fully-fitted German beerhall. Melbourne is a town of laneway bars with labyrinthine entries; we tuck our hip venues under pedestrian bridges and watch helplessly as they flood. Munich Brauhaus will now join the leagues of Little Creatures Dining Hall, offering a southside option for lovers of hearty feasts and marathon drinking escapades.
We may not get to enjoy the sunshine and mayhem of the European festival season, but at least we now have a glowing amber light to strive for at the end of our winter hibernation. BYO lederhosen.
