With Oktoberfest just around the corner, it's time to discover everything you need to know about the beers and traditional dishes to enjoy during Germany's most famous beer festival. Today, we’re highlighting the best beer pairings for Weisswurst, a must-try Bavarian speciality.
What is Weisswurst?
Weisswurst (or Münchner Weißwurst) is a traditional Bavarian white sausage, somewhat similar to French boudin blanc. Unlike boudin blanc, which is made exclusively from pork, Weisswurst is prepared using a mix of veal and pork back (bacon), along with chopped onions, lemon zest, and parsley.
This beloved dish is believed to have been created over 150 years ago in a small Munich inn called Gasthaus Zum Ewigen Licht. Today, it’s considered the most iconic culinary speciality of Munich, the Bavarian capital.
How is Weisswurst eaten ?
Weisswurst is best enjoyed fresh on the same morning it is made. It’s easy to prepare: poach the sausages in water at 75°C for around 10 minutes, then keep them warm in hot water until serving. This gentle cooking method prevents the sausages from bursting — they should never be boiled.
Traditionally, Weisswurst is eaten before noon, as part of a late-morning snack called Brotzeit in Germany. This “second breakfast” typically features two Weisswurst sausages, a freshly baked pretzel, and Bayerischer süßer Senf — a sweet, mild Bavarian mustard.
To complete the experience, it’s customary to enjoy this dish with a 50 cl mug of wheat beer, also known as Weissbier.
Which beer pairs best with Weisswurst?
To enhance the flavour of Weisswurst, there’s no better choice than a traditional German Weissbier. Despite being called “white beer,” Weissbiers vary in colour and are made with at least 50% wheat malt — sometimes even 60–70%. They are top-fermented and known for their cereal flavours and subtle notes of banana and clove.
We recommend pairing Weisswurst with a pint of Franziskaner Weissbier Naturtrüb, a lightly spicy and delicate Hefeweizen with 5% ABV, brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu. Its classic Weissbier aromas gently enhance the sausage’s flavours, offering a balance of cereal notes, banana, clove, and a peppery finish.
Another excellent choice is Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel from the historic Weihenstephan brewery. With 5.3% ABV, this dark wheat beer is refined and smooth, delivering malty and caramelised flavours with intense banana notes that gradually give way to wheat and yeast — a perfect match for Weisswurst and pretzels.
Lastly, stick with Oktoberfest favourites and try the Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier. This classic blonde Hefeweizen, widely served during Oktoberfest, brings a slightly tangy twist and a touch of smoky grain bitterness to complement your Weisswurst tasting.
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