Fränkisches Brauereimuseum
Once a Benedictine abbey, the Michelsberg Monastery has been gazing over Bamberg since 1015. Due to renovation work, the monastery's lovely Church of St. Michael is closed to the public until at least 2025, but it's still worth the long climb up to the abbey for this excellent brewery museum. Brewing has taken place on this site since at least the 12th century, and a downloadable audio guide will talk you through exhibits showcasing every step of the process, from the making of malt to the marketing of beer. You'll also learn why the local brew is notably smoky—and why almost all beers used to be. For a post-museum taste of Bamberg's beer culture, head down to one of the many pubs and brewhouses on the riverside Sandstrasse.
