Maibockfest at Kloster Plankstetten
Spring beer festival in the baroque monastery courtyard of Plankstetten Abbey with organic Maibock and tapping by the Abbot
About Maibockfest Plankstetten
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Beer Festival in the Baroque Monastery Courtyard
The Maibockfest at Kloster Plankstetten is the traditional spring beer festival of the Benedictine Abbey Plankstetten (Klosterplatz 1, 92334 Berching) in the district of Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz. Over three days, an inviting beer garden is created in the baroque monastery courtyard — a festival that puts the monastery's own organic Maibock at the center.
Tapping by the Abbot
The festive opening is marked by the beer tapping ceremony by Abbot Dr. Beda Maria Sonnenberg OSB on May 1st at 11 AM. The first barrel of Maibock is served as free beer — a traditional, convivial start to the festival.
Organic from Our Own Cultivation
Plankstetten is a nationwide pioneer in ecological monastery management. At the Maibockfest, barbecue specialties and vegetarian dishes of the finest organic quality are served, including ox from the monastery's own estate. Accompanied by freshly tapped Maibock, coffee and cake, and Maibock ice cream — all organic certified. The festival is accompanied by hearty Bavarian brass band music.
Between Enjoyment and Spirituality
The Maibockfest is more than just a beer festival: throughout all days, there are guided tours of the monastery church and crypt, the monastery garden, and the monastery estate in the Staudenhof. The spiritual life remains present — midday prayer at 12 PM, vespers at 6 PM, and a church service on Sunday. For children, there is bull riding, carving May whistles (Mai-Pfeiferl), and spring-themed crafts. The program is complemented by the sale of young plants from the monastery garden and a May service.
Plankstetten and Berching
The Benedictine Abbey Plankstetten was founded in 1129 and belongs to the town of Berching in the district of Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz in the state of Bavaria. The idyllic Altmühltal valley with the historic town walls of Berching and the Main-Danube Canal is right on the doorstep. The Maibockfest combines centuries-old Benedictine tradition with lived ecology and Upper Palatinate festival culture.
Maibockfest Plankstetten — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Maibockfest at Kloster Plankstetten takes place from Friday, May 1st, to Sunday, May 3rd, daily from 11 AM to 7 PM in the baroque courtyard of the Benedictine Abbey.
The opening is the beer tapping ceremony by Abbot Dr. Beda Maria Sonnenberg OSB on May 1st at 11 AM. Music is provided by, among others, the Krüzsteinguggis Oberried and the Bourbon Street Jazz Band. Enjoy organic Maibock and organic delicacies, a sale of young plants from the monastery garden, a May service, and guided tours of the church, crypt, monastery garden, and the Staudenhof estate. Admission is free.
Programme Maibockfest Plankstetten 2026
Friday, May 1st, 2026
- 11:00 AM: Beer tapping by Abbot Dr. Beda Maria Sonnenberg OSB, first barrel as free beer
- 12:00 PM: Midday prayer
- Bavarian brass music (incl. Krüzsteinguggis Oberried)
- 6:00 PM: Vespers
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
- Festival open 11 AM - 7 PM, organic catering
- Bourbon Street Jazz Band
- Sale of young plants from the monastery garden
- Guided tours of the monastery church, crypt, garden, and monastery estate
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
- May service
- Festival open 11 AM - 7 PM
- Children's program: bull riding, carving May whistles, crafts
Highlights Maibockfest Plankstetten 2026
- Tapping ceremony by the Abbot on May 1st, first barrel as free beer
- Freshly tapped organic Maibock from the monastery brewery
- Organic barbecue specialties and ox from the monastery's own estate
- Brass music: Krüzsteinguggis Oberried, Bourbon Street Jazz Band
- Monastery tours, May service, children's program
Prices Maibockfest Plankstetten 2026
Free admission. The first barrel of Maibock is served as free beer during the tapping ceremony on May 1st. Food and drinks are paid for on-site.
Practical information — Maibockfest Plankstetten
Getting There
By car via the A3 (Beilngries exit) or the B299 towards Berching/Plankstetten. Parking available at the monastery. Public transport is limited — arrival by car or carpooling is recommended.
Admission & Times
Free admission. Festival open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM. Tapping ceremony on May 1st at 11 AM, first barrel as free beer. Food and drinks are paid for on-site.
Tip
A visit can be well combined with a monastery tour and a stroll through medieval Berching — one of Bavaria's best-preserved town fortifications.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Maibockfest Plankstetten al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Maibockfest Plankstetten
Benediktinerabtei Plankstetten
Klosterplatz 1, 92334 Berching