1516 – Festival for Pure Beer Ingolstadt
The Reinheitsgebot Festival at the birthplace of German beer
About Festival for Pure Beer
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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."
Festival for Pure Beer — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the "1516 – Fest zum Reinen Bier" will take place from Friday, April 24, to Sunday, April 26, at Theaterplatz. The Cultural Office of the City of Ingolstadt has designed the festival as a historical market experience: wooden stalls, Renaissance costumes, catering with pork roasts, snacks, and medieval dishes, plus live music with historical connections.
The focus is on beer diversity: numerous Bavarian breweries will present their Reinheitsgebot beers. Helles, Weißbier, Bock, Märzen, special editions with historical recipes – as you walk through Theaterplatz, you can sample the entire spectrum of Bavarian brewing art. This will be complemented by jugglers, medieval dances, archery, and an extensive children's program.
Programme Festival for Pure Beer 2026
Program 1516 – Festival for Pure Beer 2026
The detailed daily program will be published by the Ingolstadt Cultural Office in good time before the festival at kulturamt-ingolstadt.de. Basic structure:
- Friday, April 24, 2026 – Opening
Opening in the afternoon by the Mayor, beer tapping ceremony, first live music program in the evening. - Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Grand Market Day
Market open all day, medieval music, jugglers, demonstrations of historical crafts, catering until late. - Sunday, April 26, 2026 – Family Day and Closing
Family program with a special focus on children, medieval games, and catering, closing in the late afternoon.
Participants: numerous Bavarian breweries, medieval merchants, live bands with historical connections, jugglers, and medieval showmen. Food: pork roast, snacks, pretzels, medieval specialties.
Highlights Festival for Pure Beer 2026
- Bavarian Breweries with Reinheitsgebot beers and special editions
- Medieval Market at Theaterplatz in a historical atmosphere
- Live music with historical connections and medieval dances
- Jugglers, archery, medieval demonstrations
- Extensive Children's Program with historical games
- 510th anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot of 1516
Prices Festival for Pure Beer 2026
Free admission. Beer and food at usual market prices. Beer tastings in small steins or 0.5-liter glasses, medieval specialties from approx. €5.
Practical information — Festival for Pure Beer
Getting There
By car: A9 exit Ingolstadt Nord or Süd, then city center. Parking garages at Theater and Klenzepark. By train: Ingolstadt Hbf station, approx. 15 min walk or by bus to the old town.
Admission
Festival grounds at Theaterplatz are freely accessible. Beer and food at usual market prices.
Contact
Kulturamt der Stadt Ingolstadt, Donaustraße 11, 85049 Ingolstadt, Tel. +49 841 305 46601, [email protected]
Accommodation
Numerous hotels in Ingolstadt's old town and near the main train station. The city is also a starting point for the Altmühltal region.
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Travel to this festival
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