EBG Rating: 8.9/10

Choice/Quality of Drinks:
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Delicious microbrewed Zoiglbier, an unfiltered amber Kellerbier. Typical Zoigl liqueurs available of mixed quality.

Style/Décor:
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Living room type pub with a small Gaststube and corner bar and a couple of additional rooms. Plain furnishings but some decoration of local artists.

Atmosphere/Character:
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One of the supreme social environments where you can meet and make friends with strangers. Sure, a little German may help this along, particularly with older clientele, but it’s usually a case of filtering to the person who speak the most English. A fun experience which cuts to the very heart of why you go to the pub in the first place.

Amenities/Events:
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Takeaway, food, snacks

Value For Money:
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Typically good value for the Zoigl food and drink, but more so given this is Allgäu rather than the much cheaper economy in the Oberpfalz.

Description:
Kaufbeuren’s beer scene is dominated by the big brand ABK who have managed some cut-through in other European countries, however the quality is far from the highest you can find in Bavaria. It’s always exciting to find a small, independent alternative, especially a passion project. Zoigl is perhaps one of the more unlikely.

Zoigl refers to a culture which exists solely in the Oberpfalz region in the far North East of Bavaria where ancient brewing rights bestowed on houses entitle families to brew and sell beer. This is done rotationally and the pubs are open once a month, creating a fantastic atmosphere and and enthusiasm. Simple kellerbier is served alongside basic snacks and a limited menu of warm food. Gernot Wildung has taken inspiration and exported the format, beer and culture to the Allgau!

You’ll find a beautiful pub with living room type style and a small bar. There’s a quaint but very homely atmosphere as the locals adopt and adapt to this new format.

His Zoigl is a beautiful amber Kellerbier with a depth and bitter finish, one you can put back several of in the company of people from the local town. While the conversation and socialising isn’t quite as mixed as true Zoigl, they have done their best to encourage it.

With only a few operations like this on Earth, there is a lightning in a bottle sense of specialness to visiting that elevates it beyond the typical German Wirtshaus or Gaststatte experience.

If you announce your arrival and perhaps stay for a few beers and food, Gernot is more than happy to show you his brewery over the road, where upstairs an additional pub room exists with a view of the market place. This was open before Covid but Gernot seems less willing these days to open it up.

Clearly essential when visiting or staying in Kaufbeuren, while if you have purchased a Deutschland ticket you have effectively already justified a trip from Munich to visit here.