1516 – Festival for Pure Beer Ingolstadt

1516 – The Beer That Shaped a Nation

On April 23, 1516, Bavarian Dukes Wilhelm IV and Ludwig X proclaimed a law at the State Parliament in Ingolstadt that would change the history of beer worldwide: the Reinheitsgebot. Only barley, hops, and water were allowed to be used for brewing – yeast was added later, once its role was scientifically understood. 500 years later, practically every German brewer refers to this law, and Ingolstadt celebrates it annually with its own festival.

Three Days of Medieval Atmosphere in the Heart of the City

The "1516 – Fest zum Reinen Bier" will take place from April 24 to 26, 2026, at Theaterplatz in the center of Ingolstadt. For three days, the square will transform into a historical market: wooden stalls and campfires, merchants in Renaissance costumes, beer from breweries all over Bavaria, medieval music, jugglers, and demonstrations. The organizer is the Cultural Office of the City of Ingolstadt.

Beer to Taste – and to Understand

The breweries are the focus. Numerous houses from Bavaria will be serving their beers at the stands, many with special Reinheitsgebot editions and historical recipes. As you walk through the festival grounds, you can sample the entire spectrum of Bavarian beer: Helles, Weißbier, Bock, Märzen, unsprouted specialties. Small stalls will serve snacks, pretzels, pork roasts, and medieval dishes.

A Cultural Festival, Not a Drinking Spree

Despite the focus on beer, the festival is clearly positioned as a cultural event. Live music with historical connections, jugglers, medieval markets, and especially an extensive children's program make it family-friendly. The Cultural Office ensures orderly proceedings, with the historical atmosphere taking center stage. It's a festival that annually revitalizes Ingolstadt's identity as the "birthplace of German beer."